Page 19 of Dr. Stone (Billionaires’ Club #9)
EIGHTEEN
Jace
After plenty of time playing the victim, I finally owned up to what I really wanted—Andie. And I was done with the small talk and bullshit excuses.
So what if I had a weak-ass moment? Everyone breaks and acts like a clueless idiot sometimes. But I was past that.
The second I found out Titus had whisked her away to one of his VIP resorts on a tropical island, I knew it was time to man up. No more coasting, and I didn’t need Jake or Collin to coach me on that.
The more I thought about Mrs. Kilgore’s daughter trying to rehome Andie’s idea of a perfect pet, the more I knew that was my angle. Titus could flash his money and flex his empire all damn day, but she didn’t seem the type to fall for flash.
This damn dog would seal the deal.
“Is this the little cock-blocker?” Jake questioned, walking into my office.
“Cute little guy, isn’t he?” I said as I hit send on an email to the pharmacy for one of my patients.
“Are you sure you really want to go this route?” Jake said, sitting in a chair across from my desk. “You and Collin decided this without me, and I’m not sure it’s the best idea.”
“Why’s that?” I said, turning to pack up my briefcase. I couldn’t wait to leave and bring this fellow home so I could prepare to surprise Andie with him. “It’s the exact dog she said she liked when I took her to the ER for her son last week.”
Jake stared at me as if I’d completely lost my mind.
He leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee. “So you’re rolling the dice on a fond memory, and that’s supposed to make magic?”
“If Titus is working for her affections through money and material shit, I’m going for the heart. Being there for her while her son is sick and giving the next best thing to diamonds as a gift? Well, that’s a direct shot to the heart I don’t even need Cupid for.”
Jake chuckled. “So you decided to head down the Hallmark bachelor road, and you’re hoping the lustful, broody billionaire will screw things up?”
“Never saw it that way, but I guess so?”
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
I laughed. “You’re not the first person to say that,” I stood and shouldered my briefcase, “and I think Andie would probably agree with you.” I unclicked the leash from the chair I had the dog tied to and smiled down at the adorable, beady-eyed little guy. “Your ass better not fail me.”
“What’s the rascal’s name?” Jake said, dropping to one knee to pet him. “Cupcake?”
“It’s Duke.”
“Duke?” Jake laughed. “Who gives a little yappy thing like this a name that big?”
“Maybe they were big fans of John Wayne,” I chuckled.
“That name is killing me,” Jake said. “Such an alpha dog name for this tiny gentleman.”
“Who knows? Maybe Andie will name him something else.”
Jake rose, still amused, and stared at the dog. “Don’t be ridiculous; you can’t rename a dog this age. Besides, something tells me he’s already attached to that badass name as if he were a badass himself. Small dogs can be dicks, you know?”
“Everyone knows that,” I said, never being a fan of small dogs. “But this guy is quiet and cute. I don’t think we’ll need Cesar Millan to work any magic here. I don’t think this pup could hurt a fly.”
“Your first mistake is underestimating the power of a yapping dog. Your second mistake is referring to him as an it or a thing right before you hand his dominant ass to your intended girlfriend.”
I rolled my eyes. “If you think this guy is going to give me shit, you’re wrong. He sat on my lap the entire ride back to the office this afternoon.”
Jake shook his head. “Damn, dude. We’ve all been through it, trying to seal the deal with our ladies, but you just asked for hell trying to land your plane on this one.”
“How about this—if it doesn’t work out, and he’s a dick to me like you’re saying, then I’ll give him to you. Oh, and tell Ash thanks again for being cool with Andie bringing him to work with her.”
“Ash thinks it’s adorable. In fact, she thinks this whole idea is cute and charming. I, however, disagree with my wife on the matter.”
“Well, start agreeing with her, because I’d hate for this pup to cause relationship problems for you while helping me secure the one I want.”
Jake folded his arms, smiled, and glanced down. “You going to clean that up?”
I looked at Duke and saw where he’d just taken an enormous shit while waiting for me to go. “Fuck,” I muttered, reaching for the Kleenex box on my desk. “Dude, you can’t shit in my office.”
“That shit represents his domination of your ass, letting you know it’s his office,” Jake chuckled. “I’m telling you, man, small dogs don’t mess around.”
“I’ve taken note of that. Now, let’s get out of here,” I said to the dog, then looked at Jake. “I’m having Andie over tonight to surprise her with him after she gets off work. Ash said she’s picking up Brandon with your kids at the sitter’s house. So thanks for that, too.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about this from Andie when she gets her main man tonight,” Jake said, smiling.
It was close to seven-thirty when Andie called, asking me to unlock the gate to my place. So far, so good with Duke. I could proudly say Jake was wrong about the dog hating me or being some obnoxious barker.
In fact, Duke loved running laps in my backyard and watching everyone take their evening strolls down on the beach.
Hell, if Andie didn’t want the little guy, I could easily keep him.
This place could be his castle while I was at work, and he and I could enjoy sunsets, beers, and people-watching together on my terrace.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I said, walking through my courtyard and out to the circular driveway where she parked.
“Wow. Impressive,” she said, stepping away from her Porsche and walking toward me.
Jesus Christ, she was gorgeous. Her all-white pantsuit exuded glamour and class, and her long golden curls flowed effortlessly to complete the look.
She was perfection—everything I could want in a woman. But I’d had her physically, and somehow, it wasn’t enough. She was brimming with sass and dominance, making me want more than what we already had.
I’d been slipping on my game, letting intimidation win while Hawk played his—charming and seducing her in every way he knew how. And me? I’d been stuck on the sidelines without a spine.
But now, as she walked toward me with that flirty grin, flashing those perfect teeth, and that sexy mole just above her upper lip pulling my attention like a magnet, I finally saw it clearly.
Of course Hawk couldn’t get enough of her—she was irresistible.
“So, what’s the big surprise?” she asked. “By the look on your face, I’m afraid I’m only here to get whisked into bed with you again. Is that my big surprise?”
“The fact that you showed up here and still haven’t left tells me I might have a shot. But, no. I’m not Titus Hawk.”
I edged that in just to feel out if they were sleeping together.
“Look at you, trying to pry,” she said, her eyes sparkling with humor. “I don’t owe you this, but because you helped me with my son the other night, I’ll set your mind at ease. No, Titus and I haven’t gone there?—”
“Thank God,” I cut in.
“Yet,” she finished with a cute laugh.
“Come on, Miller,” I said, taking her hand and guiding her up the steps to my entryway.
Electric sparks surged through me at the warmth of her slender, soft hand—enough to make me want to skip the tour and take her straight to my bedroom.
“All of this on a doctor’s salary?” she teased.
“I’m a very good doctor,” I said, leading her to my terrace where Duke waited in his carrier with a bow on it. “And I also have a very wealthy father who taught me how to invest properly in the stock market.”
“Not bad,” she said with a sly smile.
“Well, that’s exactly what I’m aiming for tonight, so that’s two points for me.”
I guided her to a teak lounge chair where her gaze could take in the stone lines of the manicured back patio leading toward the infinity pool.
At the edge, in his perfect little package—and still not yapping—sat the blue carrier with a large bow on top, the pool giving the illusion the dog carrier was floating on water.
“Is that what I think it is?” she asked, her eyes instantly locking onto the carrier.
“It is,” I said, my heart racing with excitement as her sparkling blue eyes lit up and her jaw dropped open. “Only if you want him, of course. Then he’s yours.”
“Mine? Him?” She stood in shock, edging closer. “How do I get to him? Do I have to swim?”
I laughed. “No, stay here. I just set him out there to create an exciting image of your and Brandon’s new pal.”
When I brought Duke back and she reached into the carrier to pull him out, my heart swelled in a way I hadn’t expected.
Her usual composed expression melted into something soft and pure.
For a second, I wasn’t looking at the confident, guarded woman I’d been chasing.
I was seeing her as a little girl—wide-eyed and full of wonder—and it hit me harder than I cared to admit.
That simple, unguarded moment was the sweetest thing I’d ever witnessed. And somehow, impossibly, I found myself even more drawn to her than I had been before.
I watched as she interacted with him, noticing how his entire demeanor shifted, as if he sensed he was exactly where he belonged.
I stayed quiet, giving them space to connect while smiling inwardly at how perfect the moment felt. I couldn’t wait to tell her the story behind how I found him, about my patient, and how I’d made it as easy as possible for her to welcome him into her life.
With everything on her plate, I wanted her to see that having him wouldn’t be a burden or a sacrifice but the perfect addition.