After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(40)

So he does.

Gathering me in his arms, he rolls to one side and pulls me flush against him. The heat of his body overwhelms me and I become drowsy. It feels so right to be held by him like this. It feels like…home.





Chapter 13


Hunter


The next morning I have to leave Evangeline in order to let Jake outside. Of course, I get in another round, taking her hard and fast until we both come hard.

Sex with Evangeline is going to kill me. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to die.

I grin.

Except, I’m not sure how things will be now. When I left her apartment thirty minutes ago, she was half asleep. Her goodbye kisses sweet after I told her of my plans. I’m pretty damn sure she was still riding high on the orgasm I’d given her and that can make people forget all about their prior reservations for getting involved.

Unease tries to worm its way inside me. Based on how Evangeline responded last night, I’m sure she was just as into me as I was into her. Only, I’m worry that I rushed things with us. Made things go light-years ahead when all we really needed was a couple of steps forward.

Thing is, I’m in for the long haul. I know that now because there is no way I would have slept with Evangeline otherwise. How long, though, remains to be seen. A gentleman would leave it up to her, let the ball be totally in her court, but I’m no gentleman.

But I’m also not sure what I’m doing.

While Jake runs around the backyard and marks his territory, I check my email to get my mind off Evangeline. Unfortunately, the first one is from Saylor at Forrestville Animal Shelter and she doesn’t email me personally unless it’s an update about Jake’s adoption process.

“Damn it.” I click on the link. My heart sinks as I read it. It’s confirming that Jake’s forever family will be picking him up today.

I f*cking hate having to give him up, but it is what I agreed to when I took him on. Besides, this family might not work out, either, and he can come back. Jake will always have a home with me, even if I don’t feel right about it.

Swiping my hand across my face, I head to the bathroom for a quick shower and get dressed. Nothing remains of my good morning or even unease. All I can think about is my dog. If I weren’t a cop, I wouldn’t bring Jake back at all. Then again, if I weren’t a cop, I would have adopted Jake myself by now.

My f*cking schedule blows.

At least Evangeline doesn’t seem to mind. Then again, her shitty ex was in the military, so I can only imagine the insane hours she had to endure. Maybe she won’t mind dating a cop with sucky pay and crappy hours.

Opening the door, I whistle for Jake and watch as he runs for the stairs, his tongue hanging out of his mouth in pure joy. Pretty sure that was the look on my face after the last time Evangeline and I had sex.

I grab his leash and attach it to his collar before snagging my phone, wallet, and keys. Since Jake loves to ride shotgun in my truck, it’s no problem at all to get him in the passenger side.

My heart pinches.

Poor guy doesn’t know that I’m lying to him. That this will be the last time we’re together. Yeah, it might not be manly for a guy to get upset over his dog, but I don’t give a good damn.

By the time we get to the animal shelter, I’ve already considered at least half a dozen different ways to keep Jake from going with his forever family, but I know I have to do the right thing. It’s not just about what I want but what he deserves.

Jake’s tail starts to wag as soon as we get out. He actually loves the place and the people who work there. When we walk inside, Saylor and a family of three are waiting for us. The sullen-faced teen looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.

“Jake,” Saylor shouts. “How are you? Ready to meet your forever family?”

The mother shifts her weight. “You make it sound like it’s till death do us part.”

“Oh, it totally is,” Saylor says, smiling as she bends down to pet Jake. “Pets are just like family. You wouldn’t get rid of Grandma just because she got old, would you?”

“Yeah, they already have,” the teen says.

The father turns a dull red. “She’s in assisted living.”

“She’s leaving everything to them in her will.”

Both parents sigh.

I hold up my hands. “It’s okay. I get it. Not everyone is happy.”

“Oh, no, we are very happy to get Jake,” the mother insists, but she won’t look me directly in the eye. Sure, cops don’t do that, but the average joe can’t help himself.

Saylor doesn’t seem to notice, though. She claps her hands and gets all giddy. “If you’ll give me just a moment, I’ll go in the back to get dog food and a new leash. Then you can almost be on your way.”

Mercifully, she returns less than a minute later…with Evangeline behind her. She’s hefting the bag of dog food, her eyes widening and then turning sympathetic when she sees me.

“I’ll take that,” the teen says, surprising me. Usually, people act exactly how I expect them to, with no regard for others. He grabs the bag from Evangeline, flashing a smile as he hefts it on his shoulder.

Then again, he could want to show off for two pretty women.

Evangeline smiles, then walks away, the kid’s gaze following her the entire time. His eyes round when she stops beside me.