What Lovers Do(33)

Forcing Shep to release my hands.

Damn you, dog!

Cersei’s trying to save me from myself. So why am I so pissed off at her right now?

Ruff! Ruff!

“Do you need out, Cersei?” Shep asks because he’s nice. A real dog guy.

I want to put her leash on and tie it to a post. She wasn’t supposed to be my dog. Car and purse thief bad decision left her with me. Without her and her bad timing, I might be …

Having sex!

“Let’s take her for a walk. The sun’s getting ready to set. We’ll get some views from the trail just down the way.”

I was anticipating naked Shep being the stunning view tonight. “Sure.” I scrounge a smile and pin it to my face, even if it is a little crooked and painful.

“Let me grab a shirt and shoes.”

I nod several times. “Yeah. I’ll get dressed.”

By the time I slip on my shorts and midriff tee, Shep and Cersei are already waiting at the door. I feel fifteen, taking tentative steps toward the door while my first date waits for me.

Shep? He’s cool. Cool as if he didn’t just kiss me intimately.

“Ready?”

I nod.

Cersei will be sleeping on the floor tonight. No way in hell am I letting that little bitch sleep with me after what she just did.





CHAPTER FIFTEEN





It’s like it never happened.

We take Cersei for a walk. Shep tells me all about his favorite trails and water holes around Sedona. My hand dangles at my side, begging to be taken by his hand, but he never does.

My house has a Jimmy infestation. I have no business dreaming about Shep holding my hand. Yet … I wet my lips repeatedly, hoping he’ll wet them for me, hoping he’ll feel the sudden urge to pick up where we left off before evil Cersei Fucking Lannister decided to be so rude.

He never does.

Evening snacks. Small talk. Fetch and a final pee outing for Cersei.

Then Shep stands from the sofa. “We have an early tee time in the morning. I’ll let you get some sleep.” Shep locks the doors and shuts off all the lights except for the accent lights under the kitchen cabinets and the one in the hallway leading to the master bedroom.

“Okay.” I glance at my watch. It’s ten o’clock. What are we? Seventy?

“If you want to watch TV, it won’t bother me. I can’t hear much downstairs.”

“Okay.” I press my lips together.

We’re going to bed at ten on a Friday night. After he kissed me. What did I do wrong? Why am I being punished? Is this karma for not being kinder to Jimmy?

“Night.”

I nod once. “Night.”

Shep disappears down the stairs.

“Go to bed. On the floor.” I point to the bedroom.

Cersei runs into the bedroom and jumps up on the bed.

“Off.” I point to the floor.

She whines before jumping down and settling along the wall by the air vent. I shower and climb into bed, resting my hand on my abdomen. It doesn’t feel real. I’m not disappointed that I haven’t had morning sickness, but at least it would make this pregnancy feel real.

As I lean over to shut off the light, my phone chimes. I gaze at the screen a few seconds. “Really?” I mumble to myself before answering it.

“What are you doing?” I answer.

“What are you wearing?” Shep says.

“You’re downstairs.”

“I am. That’s why I can’t see what you’re wearing.”

I laugh. It seems to be a reoccurring theme with him. “A nightshirt.”

“Whatcha up to this weekend?”

Curling onto my side, I play along. “Hanging out with a friend in Sedona.”

“Guy friend or girlfriend.”

My face aches because I can’t seem to wipe this grin from it. “Guy.”

“Just friends?”

“Just friends.”

“Is golfing your favorite pastime?”

“No. I like to crochet.”

“So you’re sixty?”

“Says the guy who goes to bed at ten on the weekend.”

“Sorry. I was in a hurry to call you.”

More giggles, the kind that linger in my belly long after the giggling stops.

“What do you crochet?”

“My grandma taught me to crochet hats and scarves, but they don’t come in as handy here in Arizona as they did in Michigan. My current project is a baby blanket for my sister.”

“Oh, is she pregnant now?”

“No … uh … she’s not. But it will take me awhile to finish it, so …”

“You’re a nice aunt. Or future aunt.”

“You have no idea. So is golfing your favorite pastime?”

“It’s up there, but I have to say I enjoy brewing even more than golfing.”

“Brewing? As in beer?”

“Anything.”

“Anything?” I laugh.

“Beer. Ginger beer. Kombucha. Vinegar. Sake …”

“That’s a little unexpected, Shep. I didn’t see that coming.”

“So you’re surprised?”

“I am.”