Page 40 of Dr. Stone

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?”