Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Wolf wiggles to get free, his whine snapping me out of my stupor. “Wolf, behave.”
Talon stands, lifting him easily. “You named your dog Wolf?”
“Yes, why?”
“Babe, he’s a poodle.”
It’s then I feel all eyes on us. The girls from earlier have moved to the side, pretending to stretch but gawking openly.
His friends are watching with amusement.
“He’s a Goldendoodle,” I correct Talon.
“Not exactly a beast.”
“He’s perfectly capable of being a beast when needed.”
Wolf chooses that moment to lick up the side of Talon’s throat and pant.
“Yeah, a real terror.”
“Give me my dog.” My cheeks heat when one guy chuckles.
“He good with others?”
“Of course, as you can see, he’s very friendly.”
Talon jerks his chin, his friends go away from the trail and let their leashes go. Wolf goes berserk, begging to get free until Talon lets him down. The four dogs immediately do the dog sniff meet-and-greet before chasing in circles.
“Heya, Talon,” Bex chirps.
“Bex.”
“Funny seeing you here.”
“Heard it was the place to be on Saturday mornings.” He grins at me. “First beautiful day in forever. Didn’t want to miss it.”
Those are my words. He overheard me telling Wyatt about my plans to come to the park with Wolf.
Two things hit me with a force so strong, my eyes sting.
Talon was sitting across the table. Side conversations were all around us, but Wyatt demanded my attention. He had no idea who Talon was, why he was there, or what he had done to arrange the lunch. To a five-year-old, the most exciting thing was his friend’s birthday party today.
It was a simple conversation, one that wouldn’t compute with most. But Talon listened.
I was with Joe for a long time and he rarely listened.
“Willow?”
I swing my eyes to Talon, noting he’s observing me closely.
“It is the first beautiful day of the season.”
Bex picks up on my apprehension, sinking down and clapping as four dogs race her way. “Who are these cuties?”
“Pepper, Mack, and Rowdy.” The two men hanging back watch intently.
“Watch it, Mack,” one of them commands.
“Careful, Rowdy,” the other directs.
“Pepper, heel,” Talon orders.
The dogs stop in time to save Bex from getting trampled and all nudge her for pats. Whereas Wolf tumbles over himself, trying to get into the mix.
After a few pats, the Dalmatian runs over to Talon, sitting expectantly.
“I’m calling dibs on the one with the Dalmatian,” replays in my head from the woman earlier.
“Is he yours?”
“No, this dumbass borrowed him.” The guy wearing a USMC shirt steps up, whipping off his glasses to reveal a pair of stunning hazel eyes.
The other man follows suit, only his eyes are a beautiful mocha color.
They are back in a formation.
I was wrong earlier… this is too much.
Three of the hottest men I’ve ever seen all staring at me as if they share a secret.
My brain malfunctions and words stumble together. “B-bor-rowed a dog?”
“He belongs to friends, and I offered to bring him along for the exercise,” Talon clarifies.
“I’m Ford,” Hazel eyes offers his hand.
“Ace.” The other does the same.
“I’m Willow, Talon’s Physical Therapist”
“We know who you are.” Ford’s lips curl.
“And this is my friend, Bex.”
“We got that.” Ace dips his chin.
“Your dogs are really well-behaved.” Yep, that’s what I say. The pressure of these three insanely hot men has me talking like a nervous schoolgirl.
“I have a pregnant wife at home. We’re in the process of training.” The pride in his voice has my heart melting a little.
“Congratulations.”
“Lo! Watch out!” I barely hear Bex before my feet are off the ground and I’m in Talon’s hold. He tucks me close as a football whizzes by my head, landing several yards away. Wolf goes crazy, jumping and pawing at us.
“You okay?” Talon twists me easily in his arms.
“Yes,” I whisper, mesmerized by the flaming blue orbs wandering over my face.
“Watch her,” he demands, placing me on my feet and storming toward the guy chasing after the ball.
“Fuck, this could get ugly.” Ford takes off after him.
“It wasn’t intentional.”
“Asshole needs to learn you don’t throw a ball around crowds, especially if you have shit aim.” Ace crosses his arms casually.
The poor guy with the football pales when approached by Talon and Ford.
“This is ridiculous.” I step that way until Ace stops me.
“Someone came close to hitting Harley with a football, I’d teach him a lesson.”
“It was an accident.”
“Maybe, but he’ll learn.”
“Harley is your wife?”
He nods.
“Well, you should be protective. Especially if she’s pregnant.”
“Talon’s got his reasons.”
“We just met.”
His lips slip into a wide grin, his eyes sparkling slyly. “This is fun.”
A throat clears and I turn to see the guy with the football. “I’m sorry about that. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
He gives a quick nod and basically bolts away.
“Talon, that was unnecessary.”
He ignores me, picking up Wolf’s leash and whistling. Rowdy runs to Ace, Mack to Ford, and poor Pepper peers around for someone to claim him.