Paws off the Boss - Casey Griffin (best books under 200 pages .TXT) 📗

After their chilly dip, Piper’s feet reveled in the sun-warmed sand as she and Aiden made their way back to Lobos Creek, which fed into the bay. Colin and Sophie followed at their heels, still excited by the human game that began by splashing in the water. Whatever it was, even the doxies could tell it wasn’t over; they could sense the same tension in the air.

Piper was overly aware of Aiden. His nearness, his breathing, and, once in a while, she’d catch him gazing at the wet clothes clinging to her body—when she wasn’t busy staring at him, of course.

Finally, they reached the low wooden stairs at the base of the cliffs that led to Aiden’s house. She went ahead of him, and after the third hiss from stubbing his toe on the uneven steps, she knew exactly what his eyes were focused on.

The steep climb up the sand-covered steps warmed them up. However, when they burst through Aiden’s double front doors and into the air-conditioned interior, Piper gasped at the cool wall of air that hit her.

She wrapped her arms around herself and danced on the spot to keep warm. Colin and Sophie thought it was part of the game and danced with her. She briefly wondered how much body heat they would throw off if she picked them up and cuddled them.

Her teeth chattered. “I’m still soaked.”

“Would you like to borrow some clothes?” Aiden asked.

“A tie feels a bit formal right now.”

“I do own clothes other than suits, you know!” he called back as he disappeared down the hall.

A minute later, Aiden returned with a luxuriously puffy towel, large enough to wrap around her twice. He unfolded it and held it up for her. “Here, this might help.”

Desperate for its warmth, she rushed toward him. He draped it around her. Only, once he had, his arms were around her too. It was like an accidental embrace. One of those things that just sort of happens, and neither of them saw it coming until they were there, so close, his arms still around her.

Aiden seemed to realize it at the same time. But neither of them moved away. Instead, Piper shifted a half step closer so her body pressed against his. He rubbed her back, drying her with the towel.

For the first time, she was confident of how he felt. After everything he’d said that day—or maybe it was more the way he’d said it—and how relaxed he’d become around her, there was no doubt.

She gradually warmed from his nearness. His hands moved slower, pressing her body against the contours of his. It had grown so quiet in the foyer that her quick breaths sounded like breathless gasps of desire. Maybe they were. She wanted him now more than ever.

The towel pinned her arms to her sides, preventing her from wrapping them around his neck or reaching up and pulling him toward her. All she could do was tilt her face up and let him do the rest.

For a moment, she worried he’d leave her standing there, head cocked at a weird angle like a burrowing owl, waiting for a kiss that would never happen. A wrong impression.

Her heart lurched a beat, and another. Then, his half-lidded eyes closed, and his head dipped down to hers.

Ding. The doorbell rang.

Aiden pulled away and straightened up. “Tamara.”

“No.” She pointed at herself. “Piper.”

He shook his head as though in a daze. “I mean, I made an appointment with Tamara for this afternoon.”

When he stepped away, the towel crumpled to the floor. Cool air hit Piper’s skin, shocking her out of her lusty fog.

There was a very distinct transition when Aiden transformed into his professional alter ego. He reached up, maybe to adjust his tie. When he found it missing, he dropped his hands and reached for the door handle.

She sighed, realizing the moment was over. Whatever had been about to happen wouldn’t now.

“Hi, Tamara.”

The graceful brunette stepped across the threshold with a radiant smile for Aiden. Then her eyes landed on Piper, and it looked more like she was baring her teeth.

She eyed the state of their clothing still dripping seawater onto the floor. “Is this a bad time?”

Yes, Piper thought. “Hi, Tamara. Nice to see you again.”

“We had a bit of an accident at the beach today,” Aiden said, sweeping the experience under the rug. “I’ll just go change. I’ll be right back.”

He climbed the broad, curving staircase to the second floor. The moment he disappeared from sight, Tamara stepped toward Piper so they were practically nose to nose. Or rather, nose to chin, since Tamara was taller.

She swept her eyes over Piper’s disheveled clothing. “Aiden is a busy man. He doesn’t have time for distractions.”

Piper jolted in surprise. A smile formed on her lips, as she thought it was some kind of strange joke. But Tamara wasn’t laughing. Her serene face had transformed, and her porcelain skin cracked to release some kind of creature festering beneath the smooth surface.

Was it just Piper’s imagination creating competition where there wasn’t any? Let’s face it, she told herself morosely. There is no competition there.

“You’re taking him away from his work.” Tamara’s eyes widened until the whites shone.

“Away from his work?” she scoffed. “Or you?”

Tamara hissed. Actually hissed, like a feral cat. Piper took an automatic step back, unsure if Tamara would take a swipe at her next.

Her foot caught in the towel lying on the floor. She tried to kick it away, but Tamara was bearing down on her, all eyes and teeth, hissing.

With her feet wrapped up, Piper fell straight back. Out of instinct, she reached out and grabbed hold of the nearest thing: Tamara.

Her hand clamped around neatly curled hair. Tamara screamed out. Together they dropped to the floor in a heap, landing in the puddle of water that had formed beneath Piper.

They scrambled, their slick limbs slipping on hardwood. Piper thrashed to get away, but Tamara yanked on her hair, holding her down. Her manicured nails scratched painful trails down Piper’s bare leg.

Colin and Sophie jumped, growled, and barked all around them, unsure if it was a new game or if Piper needed help. For good measure, Colin nipped at Tamara’s heel.

Tamara yelped. Piper felt the death grip on her hair relax. She tried to scramble to her feet, but she slipped again, falling hard on her butt.

Tamara rolled on top of her, that wild look still in her eye, her hands reaching out toward her. To what? Strangle her? Claw her eyes out? Piper shoved her away.

Aiden’s footsteps pounded down the steps. “What’s going on down here? I heard—”

Like a tableau from a play, both Piper and Tamara froze. Piper only then realized where her hands had landed. Right on Tamara’s supple breasts—which were far too perky and firm for their size.

Come on, Piper thought, like it isn’t enough that she’s utterly perfect? Well … besides the violent mood swings.

Aiden laughed, and Piper’s head snapped to him in surprise. How could he possibly think this was funny? But then she looked at Tamara. Her expression appeared so docile that she had to do a double take.

Eyelashes fluttering, her pretty face flushed as though from embarrassment, not from the effort of practically trying to kill Piper. The porcelain had smoothed out, the monster tucked back inside.

Aiden reached down to help Tamara up. “You two ladies wouldn’t be fighting over me, now would you?” he joked.

If he only knew, Piper thought. “Actually—”

“The floor was wet,” Tamara interrupted. “Piper accidentally slipped, and I tried to help her up.”

She got to her feet and stumbled against him. Her hand “accidentally” slid down his chest as she found her balance. It lingered there possessively as she locked eyes with Piper.

Piper gaped at her. “What are you talking about? You attacked me.”

Aiden just laughed, completely oblivious. “Piper clumsy? Now why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“What? I’m serious. You don’t believe me?”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure it was just an accident.” He reached down to help her up.

She brushed his hand away. “I’m fine.”

Piper untangled herself from the towel and scrambled to her feet. Without looking at either of them, she moved to the door, patting the side of her leg. “Come on, Colin.”