Maddie’s phone chimed as she entered Tom’s apartment. A text from Scott. He was running late and asked if she could feed and walk the dog. She typed back an answer and ignored the sinking of her heart that he’d texted instead of called.
Ridiculous.
She didn’t want to talk to him anyway. Nope. Not at all.
After snatching the key to his apartment from a drawer, she made her way down the flight of steps and unlocked his door. The dog stood from his bed, slunk over to her, and whined when she bent to pet his furry face.
“What’s wrong?” She sniffed. Something stank. Her gaze traveled to a pile of puke on the carpet near the sofa, and she gagged. Yet another spot under the window next to the television. Oh no. All over Scott’s new apartment.
“Are you sick, boy?” The pup nudged her hand and burped in her face. Blah, doggie puke breath.
“It’s a good thing you’re so cute.” She patted his snout, clipped a leash to his collar, and took him outside.
When they got back, she called the vet and made an appointment. In the meantime, he instructed her to feed the dog beef and rice, mixing it with a little kibble. Her already-full schedule just got busier. With a sigh, she smoothed the fur down on the puppy’s head. Sad, brown eyes gazed at her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you, no matter what.”
The dog snuggled back down on his bed while she tended to the mess. Wet stains soiled the new beige carpet. Maybe Scott had some detergent in a bottom kitchen cabinet, where she stored hers.
He sure kept everything neat. Not a dish in the sink or a crumb on the counter. Nothing had changed from the time they’d spent together.
With any luck, she could clean up and get out before he came home. The dog ran to his bowl and looked up at her. If he was hungry, it might be a good sign.
“Sorry, guy. The vet said we have to ration the kibble.” She frowned. If she put chemicals on the carpet, she couldn’t leave the dog alone while she cooked upstairs. She’d have to make his dinner at Scott’s. She scratched the puppy behind his ears. “I’ll be right back. I know you’re hungry, but don’t eat the furniture.”
She hurried upstairs to Tom’s apartment. The shower was running. Good; she wouldn’t have to explain the whole thing to him. Frozen beef in hand, along with a box of rice and a bottle of carpet cleaner, she bounded down the steps.
Maddie let herself back into Scott’s unit. She opened a window for some fresh air and sprayed foam stain remover on the spots. As much as she hated to dig around in his cabinets, she did until she found a skillet and pot. After she cooked the food, she set it out to cool. Wearing a pair of rubber gloves she’d found under the sink, she knelt to work on the spots.
She had to figure out what she was she going to do about Scott. Sharing the dog meant she’d have to interact with Mr. Aloof. As much as he’d hurt her, she should be over him. Only she wasn’t. Not even close. Too many memories still flooded her. Sure, her temper flared around him, but once it passed, the ache in her chest returned. An empty, hollow spot he’d once filled.
The pup left his bed to lick her face and jump around her, clearly excited to have someone down on his level. Maddie laughed as she nudged him aside with her elbow and scrubbed the carpet with a sponge. Her smile fell. Once, she and Scott had donated towels and treats to a shelter, checked out the dogs, and talked about the kinds they liked. Now they had one together. Not the way she’d pictured it. “You know, puppy, I really need to leave soon. No matter how mad I am at him, he still gets to me.”
“What are you doing?” Scott’s voice came from the doorway.
Maddie jumped. He probably heard her talking to the dog. “You scared the crap out of me.”
The pup raced over to him, yapping. From her position on the floor, Maddie gazed up at Scott as he crossed the room to place a pizza box on the table. Dressed in his suit again. So hot. Damn him.
He glanced around the kitchen, where dirty pots filled the sink, and steam rose from the plates of ground beef and rice on the counter. “What’s going on here?”
Maddie eased back on her knees and used her arm to brush back a strand of hair from her face. She gestured with a rubber-gloved hand to the spot she’d been scrubbing. “The dog got sick, and I’m cleaning up the stains.”
He caught her gaze, and even from across the room, his sea-green eyes lit a fire in her belly, and then a little lower. She swallowed, despite the lump forming in her throat. “I’m sorry about the mess.”
He shook his head. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. I would have cleaned it. Tom’s off tonight. Go home.”
“What?”
“I parked next to him.”
“So? What does his schedule have to do with me?” She drew her brows together and then it hit her. Scott thought they were a couple. “Wait, do you think Tom and I—?”
“You moved in with him.”
She huffed out a breath. “Because you stole my apartment, and I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
“For the millionth time, I did not steal your place. And on the other count, I’m glad things worked out for you and Tom.” Scott bent to scratch under the dog’s chin.
“There’s nothing between us. We’re just friends, and this is temporary.”
He stopped petting the pup. The tight lines in his face smoothed out. He straightened and rolled his shoulders. “I see. Regardless, you don’t need to worry about my carpet.”
His tone had lightened. Almost like relief. If he had been jealous of Tom, it made no sense. She’d never figure Scott out. He didn’t want her, but he didn’t want her to be with anyone else, either. Time to get a move on. “If you didn’t have my dog, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s my problem.” She went back to scrubbing. “I’m almost done.”
His shoes came into her line of vision. The man moved without making a sound. She glanced up along the muscles stretching the fabric of his pants, to his narrowed waist, and right past his broad shoulders to his face. “What?”
“I can’t say I don’t like you in this position, but please stop. I got it.”
She dropped her jaw and sprang to her feet. “I can’t believe you—”
“Figured that would get your attention.” The corners of his mouth twitched.
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Very funny. I should report you for harassment.”
“I’m off duty. Sorry.” His gaze dropped to her lips and then back to her eyes.
The room shrank as waves of heat came off his body. Gold flecks in his eyes sparked at hers. He placed a hand on her arm, and she shivered. Hard to stay pissed when her body betrayed her.
He tugged at one of her gloves. “I’ll finish.”
The mutt barked and wedged himself between them. Scott looked down at him. “Okay, okay. I see you.”
Maddie took a step back and peeled off the other glove. Her pulse fought to return to a normal rate. “I’m finished. The spots just need to dry.”
“What’s up with all this?” Scott waved a hand at the kitchen.
“Oh, the vet said the dog has to get used to the kibble. Sometimes they throw up with new food, and we don’t know what he ate before. We’re supposed to give him rice and beef mixed with a small amount of dog food and gradually increase the ratio of kibble.”
He rubbed his chin. “Guess I can do that.”
“I made a lot, so you don’t have to keep cooking it. This should last a few days.” She moved to the counter. “And I’m sorry about the pots; I’ll wash them. I needed to cook here so I didn’t leave the dog with the carpet chemicals on the floor.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“No. It’s not fine. I made the mess. I’ll clean it.” She took a step toward the sink, but he tugged her arm.
“Do you have to argue with me about everything?”
She glanced up at him. “I don’t like being bossed around.”
“Don’t I know it.” He kept his hand on her arm. “But I’ll take care of the pans. It’s my apartment.”
“Don’t I know it,” she muttered.
He snorted and let go of her. “Your smart-ass attitude is going to get you in trouble one day.”
If he only knew. The same brashness had caused her to ask Victor for a staggering amount of money. “I’m way ahead of you.”
“What’s that mean?” Scott tilted his head.
“Nothing.” Victor was her problem. Maybe if she’d worn a wire and recorded his bribe, she’d have proof of his corruption. But she’d had no idea he’d offer one. As it stood, she had nothing, so for now, she’d keep the police out of it.
She caught a whiff of pepperoni, and her stomach grumbled.
Scott frowned. “I bet you didn’t eat yet with all this cleaning and cooking.”
“Not this discussion again. Why are you always so concerned about me missing meals? Do I look like a twig or something?”
His gaze wandered down her body and back to her face. “Absolutely not.”
Heat crept up the back of her neck. She’d set herself up for that.
The dog barked twice and ran back to his bowl. Maddie cleared her throat. She needed to take care of the puppy and get the heck out. “I think this is cool enough for him to eat now. Where do you keep the dog food?”
Scott stepped around her and opened a pantry door in the kitchen. A dustpan, broom, vacuum, and ironing board all filled the small, organized closet. She bit into a grin. Only he would find a way to fit them in with space to spare.
He dragged out a large bag of dog food. The puppy raced to the sack so fast he couldn’t stop. He skidded across the linoleum right into it. Maddie burst out laughing. “He’s such a goof.”
Scott smiled and grabbed the dog’s collar to keep him away from the open top. “Can you get his bowl?”
“Sure.” She brought it over, and Scott scooped out a small amount. His bicep bulged under his suit coat. “How much did the vet say to mix?”
“That looks good.” Only she didn’t mean the food. She took the bowl after he dumped the contents in and added the cooked beef and rice. The dog abandoned Scott to follow her. “Now who does he like more?”
“Ha. He’d go with Satan into hell if he led with a biscuit.”
“Way to stroke my ego, Detective.”
Scott folded the top of the bag down, slid it back into the pantry, and shut the door.
She picked up the key to his apartment from the counter. “I’d better get going, if you insist on doing those pots.”
“I insist.” Scott loosened his tie.
Her thighs tightened. He made such a casual move look damn sexy. Once, he’d slipped off his tie and used it to fasten her hands to the headboard. She’d given herself up to him completely that night. Warmth spread to her face. God, enough already. Time to leave.
“Why don’t you stay and have some pizza? You already cooked once tonight.” He undid the top button of his shirt.
She should go. Run fast and far. But her gaze lingered on his chest, and the pizza called to her like the Holy Grail to Indiana Jones.
The puppy lapped up water and then stood at her feet, drooling over her boots. “I don’t know—”
“He needs to go out after eating. Do me a favor and take him while I change? I don’t want to get pizza grease on my shirt.” He headed to the hall without waiting for an answer.
Bossy man, but her mouth watered. Like he’d spill anything. Probably carried a spot remover in his holster. She clipped the leash on the dog and took him out.
The cool air hit her face, and she sucked in a deep breath. As the puppy sniffed around, she firmed her resolve to leave. Much easier to do when Scott wasn’t inches from her smelling so damn edible.
When she reentered the apartment, he stood in the kitchen slicing vegetables. In jeans and a snug black T-shirt with a Wounded Warrior emblem on it, he expertly wielded the large knife. Something about a man cooking stirred her insides. So much for her resolve.
“There’s beer”—he glanced up at her—“I mean, iced tea in the fridge if you’d like some.”
“Water’s fine.” Odd that he’d offered her a beer and then retracted it. Maybe it smacked too much of the old times when they’d have a couple over pizza and talk about their day. He probably didn’t want to give her the wrong idea.
He brought two bowls of salad to the table along with a couple of plates. “Have a seat.”
“I’ll get the drinks. Where are your glasses?”
“I got it.” He yanked out a chair. “Sit.”
Bossy. Rather than searching the cabinets for cups, she sat.
He filled two glasses with water and brought them to the table.
She placed a slice of pizza on both of their plates. A quick meal and she’d be out the door.
After snagging ranch dressing from the refrigerator, Scott opened a cabinet and grabbed bottles of olive oil and vinegar. He set them beside her salad and took a seat. “Sorry, I don’t have balsamic vinaigrette. Is this okay?”
Maddie stared at the bottles by her plate. He’d remembered the salad dressing she liked. “It’s fine, thanks.” She raised her gaze to his, and the warmth in his eyes caused her heart to thump. Oh no, she wouldn’t go there. Had to keep it light. “I appreciate this. I’ll admit I might have had to take some of the dog’s beef and rice home for my dinner.”
“Stubborn woman.” Scott took a bite and snapped his fingers at the pup, who had raised his nose as high as he could to try to reach the table. “Sit.”
Great. She shared the same commands as the dog. The mutt stole off to his bed. Maybe he could sense Scott’s authority and the futility of a mutiny as well as she could.
She took a bite of pizza and pieces of sausage fell off and landed on the floor. The dog leaped up and raced to the droppings. Oh no. He might puke again if he ate them. She dove under the table and shoved his head away as she scooped up the bits with the other hand. The pup churned his legs and stretched out his snout to try to get the meat.
Scott circled the table and grabbed the dog’s collar. “No.”
Maddie scooched back and tried to stand but misjudged the distance and whacked her head hard on the edge of the table. “Shit.”
Searing pain shot through her skull. She grabbed her head with one hand, the other still fisted around the greasy sausage.
Scott dragged the dog away. “Are you okay?”
She squeezed her eyes shut tight and took a deep breath. “Holy cripes, that hurt.”
He reached down to help her up. “Let me check you out. Come to the sink where it’s brighter.”
“What if the dog—”
“He’s fine. For once, can you do what I ask?” He put an arm around her and guided her under the light in the kitchen. “Where’s it hurt?”
She patted the spot, and he gently put his fingers through her hair. His breath tickled the top of her head as she inhaled the musky scent coming off his chest. “Am I bleeding?”
“Who the hell knows with this mess of red hair?”
“Mess?” She bristled.
“Calm down. Bad word choice. I just mean you have a lot of it, and the color isn’t helping right now.”
“I’ll inform my parents of their inconvenient genes.”
He snickered. “You have a nice lump forming, but I don’t see any blood. We need to get some ice on this.”
“Can I clean up first? I have a hand full of sausage.”
“Huh. I don’t feel a thing.”
She snapped her head back. “What?”
He gazed down at her, a mischievous smile on his face. “Just making sure you’re lucid.”
“God, Scott. That was…” A laugh bubbled in her throat. “Really bad.”
He turned on the water. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Clean up, dirty girl.”
She glanced at him, and his eyes twinkled with humor. This was the Scott she remembered. His entire face transformed when he smiled. Her heart did a somersault, and she cursed it.
While she washed the grease off her hand, Scott got a bag of frozen peas from the freezer. He held them to the sore spot on her head, lacing his fingers through her hair to hold them in place.
Odd sensation. His warmth and the cold pack at the same time. “I can do this.” She put her hand over his on the peas and tipped her head back. “Thanks.”
He didn’t let go. “Let me help. No need to freeze your hand.”
“What about you?”
“I’m plenty hot right now.”
She stared up at his smoking eyes, and all the air left the room. Breathe. She had to breathe. “What happened to you? To us? We were good together.”
Shit. She’d said that aloud. Her pulse skipped.
Scott froze. He shut his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, they were emotionless. He drew his hand back and stepped away. “I’m sorry. For everything.”
Maddie tossed the peas into the sink. “I don’t want an apology. I want an answer. And don’t give me that ‘it was fun’ crap. I deserve better.”
“Yes, you do. This won’t happen again.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I forgot myself. It was a mistake. Go home, Maddie.”
Something had happened to make him shut down. She’d had him back. Her Scott, the one she still dreamed about, and just like that, he’d flipped the switch and gone dark again. She wasn’t sticking around for another slap. He wanted her to go home. Fine.
She plucked the key to his apartment off the counter and stomped to the door. The dog trotted after her.
“Lucky, come,” Scott called.
Maddie stopped. She swung around. “Lucky? Why’d you name him that?”
Scott dropped his gaze to the dog. “Because he was lucky you came along to save him.”
Twist the knife deeper. He said things like that, but then pushed her away. Chest heavy, she fumbled with the handle and hurried outside, letting the door slam behind her.