Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Alec pushed open the closet door. The little pup was curled on his new doggie bed and had somehow managed to wrestle and move the house shoe over to the bed with him.
“Sorry to wake you, but it's time,” Alec whispered, marveling like he’d done every time he picked up the tiny puppy at how small and light he was. “I have a feeling you and he are going to be the best of friends.”
Alec came out with the puppy tucked against his chest to discover a shirtless Key unbuttoning his jeans, the collar and leash lying on the mattress behind him. What in the world about his gift had made Key disrobe?
“Baby, I have someone I'd like for you to meet,” he announced as he walked across the room. He came to a stop in front of Key.
The range of expressions crossing Key’s face might have been comical in another situation. Key took a step back, legs hitting the mattress as Alec stepped closer. Wanting to avoid any potential panic attack, Alec carefully handed his precious cargo to Key.
The dog wasn’t much bigger than Key’s work-roughened palm, and for the first time since Alec had met their little guy, the puppy began to shake. Maybe it had to do with the fierce expression marring his lover’s handsome face.
“Take him, babe. He’s ours.”
Key finally accepted the puppy, his strong arms cradling the little guy, bringing him to his chest. Key’s still tense gaze lifted to his. He didn’t need words to understand the question, but Key’s focus immediately shifted his attention back to the dog, his thumb rubbing across the pup’s tiny head.
The sudden doubt over what he’d done in bringing the dog home vanished. The puppy looked up, craning his neck until Key bent in enough to look the dog in his face. The little guy gave Key that same soul-touching gaze he’d given Alec last night. Key slowly sat on the edge of the mattress, his whole attention fixed on the bundle in his hands.
Alec circled the bed and kicked off his shoes before climbing on the mattress from the other side. He purposefully stayed silent to give Key a moment as he stretched out across the end of the mattress, resting his head on his hand, and waited for whatever was to come next. It took some time for his big, rough and tumble biker to form any words.
“What’s his name?” Key asked, looking down over his shoulder. Alec patted the bed beside him, encouraging Key to move closer.
“I don’t know. What should we name him?”
In true Key fashion, it took time for him to turn, then to carefully and gently place the puppy on the bed between them before stretching out on his side to face Alec. The puppy turned a full circle then yapped at a rose petal that had followed Key onto the bed.
“I thought that was for my dick,” Key grumbled, pointing at the collar and leash on the edge of the mattress. It took a second, but when it hit him, Alec couldn’t help the laugh. That possibility had never occurred to him. He excitedly filed away for later Key’s apparent willingness to play. “What’s goin’ on?”
Alec’s heart was so full in that moment. He stared at his man as warmth washed over him. Their love, at least for him, was a forever and always kind of love. Alec reached across the bed to take Key’s hand. They both grinned when the puppy went on the defense, turning to yap at their joined hands. “Key-baby, I want a life with you. I want a family. I want to be your reason, and in return, you be my reason. These changes I’ve made, they’re to remove some of our obstacles and to keep us together—you know all that.” Alec nodded toward the now wide awake puppy that growled and jumped on their hands. “He’s to help remind you of where we are, and that we’re here, waiting on you to get home.”
“Alec…” Key’s expressive face softened as he tightened his hold on Alec’s hand. At the same time, the rose petal moved, and the puppy turned his attention from their joined hands. His bark was so powerful it lifted his front paws off the bed—the perfect mood lightener. The sudden outburst had Key grinning from ear to ear. They watched as the little guy dove for the petal, missing his mark and landing straight on his face. “He’s perfect.”
“That’s what I thought too.”
“What’s his name gonna be?” Key asked, releasing Alec’s hand to pet the puppy. “I always wanted a dog growin’ up.”
“Me too. I’ve never had one. You name him.” Alec encouraged, wanting more than anything for Key to name this little guy.
“What do you think?” When the puppy steadily got to his feet, Key ran his fingers along the mattress toward the little guy, watching the puppy back away until he finally gathered enough courage and held his ground. What sounded like a mix between a yelp and a growl was all the warning he gave as he leaped forward, attacking. Key chuckled as he moved his fingers across the bed again and the puppy backed away.