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I lean back against his arm to watch him smile smugly. He watches my expression as his hand continues sliding over my thigh.

“Maybe I should close early,” my eyes drop to his lips.

“Oh? Why is that?” He raises a brow, looking bold as hell and all mine.

“Maybe I want to spend some time with a dog. I’ve thought about adopting one,” I smirk.

“When did that start?” His brows are starting to lower, getting grumpy at whatever he’s imagining. I can’t have that.

“Hmmm, let me think,” I glance away, pretending to look thoughtful while I hide my glee at his unnecessary jealousy. “Oh yeah. When a man came in all by his lonesome, acting all shy before he started stripping just for me. He even undid his pants. I think that’s about the time I started appreciating dogs more.”

“You’re a menace,” he chuckles as he puts the clues together.

“And you’ve been a tease from the start, but I like it,” I rebut and give him a quick kiss that surprises him. “I don’t mind a little barking,cher. It’s when you show teeth that I’ll fight dirty.”

His jealousy may be cute, but I won’t put up with it if he goes overboard. It’s a warning and a promise. He seems to know it, too, because his eyes narrow.

“I’ve had my shots. I’ll be fine if you bite.”

I blink at his response, trying not to laugh. “Did you just imply that I’m rabid?”

“No,” he lies with a smile.

We banter for a few more hours, relaxing into the feeling of each other. He doesn’t take advantage, which disappoints me. I’m dying to have his hands all over me.

I do end up closing the shop early because no one comes in. We pass the other tattoo shops, bursting with people on the way to the diner. I try not to let on how depressed that makes me and focus on taking his hand in mine to drag him along. We’re at the diner before he can process that he just got dognapped.

I order two cones to go while the cashier eyes Poe with a flirty look. He walks around me to pay for it, surprising me. My ex wouldn’t do that. Good thing he’s nothing like him.

His shoulders are getting stiffer the longer she stares at him. He won’t look at her directly, keeping his eyes on me. Like he’s waiting for my reaction to the cute woman’s subtle interest.

I glance at him to find him stone-faced, watching me with narrowed eyes.

The last time someone showed interest in him, I backed off and left him alone. Damon said he didn’t like it. Poe changed his behavior without a word said. I guess I have to prove myself as possessive as he is.

I slide in front of him with a sweet smile, regaining her attention. Her eyes are full of confusion when she looks me up and down.

He’s dressed in his silky, fancy attire while I’m in ripped-up jeans and a raccoon shirt. We look like oil and water, but we mix just fine.

“I’m sorry, girly. The only cone he’s licking is mine,” I give her a fake pout. “He even paid for it. I can’t let him down now.”

Poe makes a choked sound before he starts chuckling. His arms wrap around me, pressing me into his body. A declaration that he’s happy about my interference.

When she scoffs and marches away with her hips swinging, I let my smile come back.

“Check for spit,cher. She seems feisty,” I gloat.

He makes a disgusted sound, but doesn’t let me go.

She wasn’t too bad with her flirting. Her interest was in passing. The performance was for Poe, but that little mocking laugh was a bit much for me. I may have started it, but she upped the game. I can be petty as hell without any shame as well as she can.

I look down at the small plastic trash can by the register and casually knock it over with the tip of my shoe. Receipts tumble out to make a lovely mess. I swish my foot around to spread it.

The sound of Poe’s laughter at my childish antics is everything to me. Gone is the solemn, straightforward man. In his place is someone who might be able to let loose soon. I can’t wait to see that. I’ll knock over trash cans for him all he likes.

We both look as innocent as lambs when she comes back. Her eyes fall to the trash can and back to me.

“Thanks so much!” I chirp, snatching the cones away to walk out.