Page 6 of Take Me (Cherry Blossom Lake #5)

Mason

E rika’s kissing me.

That thought lasts one-tenth of a second.

It’s followed by another, more perplexing than any I’ve had since I set this fake-dating plan in motion.

I’m kissing Erika.

That thought takes over, just like I do. My arms wrap around her and I’m easing her back on the side of my truck. Her body surprises me, soft and yielding against my chest like we’ve done this dozens of times instead of... well, never.

Soft lips press mine as my tongue sweeps into her mouth. She’s sweet like the berries we picked in the forest as kids, but the sound she just made is one-hundred percent adult.

“Mason.”

A moan rumbles out of her as her hands cup the back of my head. There’s an instant I think she’s prying me off her, but no. Her tongue grazes mine as she grinds her sweet heat on the swell in my jeans.

Holy shit.

How is this the same girl who taught me to skateboard?

Or the first time I’m tasting the fiery-hot bliss of her mouth?

Or feeling the power in her hands as they roll down my back, clutching me tighter as the kiss just keeps going and going.

I’m threading my fingers through her hair as the other hand glides up her side to graze the soft swell of her?—

“Hey, Mason.”

I jerk back at Annabelle’s voice. What the hell just happened?

Erika recovers before I do. “Annabelle, hey.” Dragging a hand over her mouth, she peers at the yellow Volkswagen. “Didn’t see you there. Is everything okay?”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Annabelle has her window rolled down and she shoots me a sheepish look. “Good for you guys, by the way.”

“Uh, yeah.” I sound like an idiot. “What’s up?”

“I’m so glad I saw you.” She smiles, and I hate how my insides churn. “You know how you always said you’d get a dog when you met the weirdest-looking crossbreed of mutt you could imagine? Like a Yorkie/Rottweiler mix or a chiweenie or something?”

“Ch... weenie.” I fumble the word, shifting my body so Erika’s standing in front of me. My obvious hard-on isn’t going away, and the damn thing could get me arrested.

“Right,” Annabelle continues, undaunted. “I don’t have a chiweenie for you.” She pauses to explain for Erika’s benefit. “A chiweenie is a chihuahua/wiener dog cross, by the way.”

“I figured.” Erika eases her weight back against me.

I’m sure she’s just faking some casual, physical ease between us, but the heat of her plush, perfect ass just fans the flames.

This shouldn’t be hot. I’m discussing dogs with the woman who dumped me while settling my hands on the hips of the fake girlfriend who dared my ten-year-old self to eat two pounds of gummy worms in an hour.

For the record, I rocked it. Then I barfed for three hours, but it was worth it. So was that kiss just now.

Get it together, Mason.

Annabelle keeps right on talking. “I know you kinda loved the idea of a bulldog shih-tzu mix, and I don’t have one of those.”

“No bullshit?” I swallow the sweetness of Erika’s kiss with my brain in a tailspin. Does Annabelle know that was fake?

My dick doesn’t seem to be getting the message. Go down, go down, go ? —

“I have something better than a chiweenie or a bullshit.” Annabelle beams. “Ever heard of a horgi?”

“A whore what?” I’m not even trying to be funny, but she laughs.

“A horgi—a cross between a husky and a corgi.” She gets out of her car, her curly, dark ponytail trailing behind her. “Someone dumped him at my clinic with a snoot full of porcupine quills.”

“Oh no!” Erika gasps and peers through the window. “Poor baby.”

“It’s awful, I know.” Annabelle opens the car door.

“At least they didn’t try to pull them out—that’s torture for a dog, since porcupine quills are barbed, plus he had several hidden ones near his eyes that got infected.

I removed them under anesthesia and dosed him with antibiotics.

He’s doing great now, and I was on my way to take him to the shelter when I saw you. Isn’t he just perfect?”

I peer into the backseat to see the world’s most bizarre-looking dog.

Blue eyes peer from a pure-white mask fringed in silvery black.

Dark fur trails down his sides and back to a thick, plumy tail in dull cream.

Below this curious assortment of canine parts, I spot four legs the approximate length of golf tees.

His shaggy white feet turn out to the sides like this dog can’t decide which direction to go.

“Woof!” His bark sounds like a spoon got stuck in the dishwasher.

“Woof to you, too,” I say back.

His tongue lolls out to one side, and a thick trail of drool streams onto Annabelle’s backseat. She doesn’t seem to notice as she leans in to scratch the dog’s ears. “I had to pull a few teeth,” she says. “The slobber issue should stop once he gets used to not having them.”

“He?” Erika bends to peer at the dog. Her ass bumps my still-throbbing junk, setting off fresh waves of fireworks.

Did I really suck face with my best friend?

“Definitely a male.” Annabelle declares it proudly, though I’m guessing Erika’s seen for herself. Or felt , if we’re talking about me.

We weren’t, were we?

“I neutered him, too,” she continues, so okay—not talking about me.

“He’s really cute.” Erika looks up at me, her forehead crunching a little. “You okay, Mace?”

“Huh? Yeah, I’m good. Great!” I drag a hand down my face and try to regain my composure. “Does the dog have a name?”

“Not yet.” Annabelle smiles. “If you adopt him, you can name him whatever you want.” She laughs as the dog licks her hand. “Like I said, someone just dumped him at my clinic. No tags, no ID, not even a note.”

“Who would do that?” Erika scratches his ears, and the dog leans into her hand. “What a handsome boy.”

“People dump pets at my clinic more often than you’d think.” She sounds so sad I want to take her in my arms and— no . “I’ll show up in the morning to find a box full of kittens or a dog tied to the door. I finally installed an awning to keep them out of the rain.”

“That’s awful.” Erika shifts to a two-handed scratch. “I’m so glad she saved you, buddy.”

I manage to swallow with an audible click. “He looks like somebody put a bunch of dogs in a blender and glued random parts back together.”

Annabelle chuckles. “I knew you’d love him. You’ve always had a thing for the odd ducks.”

“That’s the weirdest damn duck I’ve ever seen.” I’m trying for lighthearted humor, but my voice sounds shaky.

But both women laugh as Erika rubs her knuckles under his chin. “Who’s a good dog? That’s right, it’s you.”

Right now, I’m grateful Annabelle’s always been more tuned to animals than humans.

I’m not sure she’s noticed me struggling to act normal.

She keeps making her pitch like this isn’t awkward as hell.

“If I take him to the pound, you can go through all the official channels and adopt him as soon as he’s cleared.

But between you and me, they’re at max capacity this week.

If you think this guy might be your dog, I’d be happy to just hand him over. ”

“You’ll just give me this dog with no paperwork.”

“Of course.” She smiles. “I know what a great guy you are.”

Not a great enough guy for her to keep dating me, but I don’t say that. “I’m heading out of town for Max and Sam’s wedding this weekend. I can’t leave a new dog alone.”

“I’ll watch him,” she says. “Now that I’m not your wedding date, it’s no problem.” She smiles at Erika, who gives her a stiff little smile in return.

“Great,” says my friend and fake girlfriend. “Looks like this is all working out.”

“Isn’t it?” Annabelle beams. “Everything’s coming together beautifully.”

I turn to the dog, since that seems like the best thing to do in this awkward moment. When I hold out my hand, he sniffs it. Wagging his poof of a tail, he drags a sloppy pink tongue over my knuckles. “This is the strangest looking animal I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“I knew he’d be perfect for you!” Annabelle squeaks her delight. “I’m so glad I drove past when I did. I saw you two kissing—so sweet, by the way—and it seemed like fate. The dog, I mean. Not the two of you, though obviously that’s been a long time coming?—”

“Wait, what?” Erika frowns.

I can’t wrap my head around that right now. “I’ll take him,” I say, glancing at Erika. “I mean—we’ll take him?”

“Oh.” Annabelle beams between Erika and me. “That’s great! I didn’t realize you’d already reached that point.”

“What point?” Why is everything going over my head right now?

“Adopting a dog together.” Spinning around, Annabelle roots in her passenger seat.

She comes up with a small bag of treats and a polka-dot leash.

“No, it’s awesome! Erika works days at the garage, and you work evenings a lot at the brewpub—it’s perfect for acclimating a new dog.

He’ll have somebody with him all the time while he adjusts. ”

“Oh.” Erika blushes deep crimson. “We’re not living together.”

“Not yet.” I don’t have a clue why I say it. Why I’m suddenly slinging an arm around Erika’s waist. “But, you know—it’s probably headed that way.”

Erika’s eyes flash with surprise, but she rallies.

“Sure.” She pats my abs. At least, I think it’s meant to be a pat.

She’s rubbing me now, her palm swirling over my middle like she’s soothing a bellyache.

“Jesus, Mason.” She mutters it under her breath before aiming her smile back at Annabelle.

“We’ve been casually dating a while, but we’ve been friends for so long it just feels right , you know? ”

“Totally get it.” Annabelle sounds truly happy. “I’m thrilled you’ve found your soulmates, too.”

“Too?” I’m not sure what she means, so I keep scratching the dog. “It’s getting serious with, uh—” Did she tell me the other guy’s name?

Annabelle bites her lip. “I didn’t want to make a big deal of this before, but yeah… We’re exclusive now. I think he might be the one.”

“One what?”

“ The one .” Erika steps on my insole. “Like you and me, schmoopy.”