Chapter 1

Briar

I stand in the front yard and take a deep breath of the warm, summer air as I take a small break from unloading boxes from the truck. I look around our new street and the cute little house we were lucky to snatch up. It's only a few minutes from campus, but still far away enough not to hear the obnoxious frat parties that plagued my sleep nearly every night for the last two years.

Being a junior in college, I was tired of living in the dorm rooms, fighting for a washing machine, sharing a shower or worrying about drunk guys wandering into the wrong room at night. So me, along with my two best friends, Izzy and Sadie, decided to rent a small house together. Technically it's only a two bedroom, but the basement was decent enough that Izzy didn't mind turning it into her room. She's an art major, so she got creative with it.

"Where you want this, babe?" Brad, my boyfriend shouts, pulling me from my musings.

"In the living room please. Thanks!" I shout back with a smile. I groan a little as I watch his muscles flex under the weight of the coffee table, his arms glistening with his sweat. He catches my wandering eyes and smirks at me and I blow him a kiss in return. He chuckles just as he disappears into the front door and I go to grab another box.

Just as I lift it up, the door of the house next door swings open. I put the box down and plaster on my warmest smile, hoping to make a good impression on our new neighbor. A tall, thin man with dark blonde hair and blue eyes framed with circular, silver glasses walks out in a t-shirt and jogging shorts with what is arguably the most beautiful dog I've seen in my entire life.

Concerns about my first impressions are gone and I let out an embarrassing squeal as I rush towards the dog. The man startles and pulls on the leash, pulling the dog back towards him. The movement makes me realize what a psychopath I probably look like and I halt my steps at the end of his walkway.

"Sorry!" I say with a little wave and an apologetic grimace. "I'm Briar. We're moving in next door." I say and the guy nods, his brows still furrowed like he's wondering why I'm talking to him. He takes a few steps forward and holds his hand out for me to shake.

"Hi. I'm Quinn." He says before pointing down to the German Shepherd sitting dutifully at his side. "This is Hank." He says, his voice much deeper than I anticipated. I reach for the dog, but Quinn puts his hand out to stop me.

"He's not always friendly with new people. Best to take it slow." He says and I nod, holding my hand out slowly. Hank does a little sniff test before he licks my hand and nuzzles his head against it, clearly asking for pats. I lower myself to kneel in front of him and run my fingers through his soft fur as he licks my face. I laugh and push him back a little, still rubbing up and down his body.

"He's so sweet!" I say excitedly, already falling in love with this dog. I look up at Quinn and he has a confused expression on his face.

"Yeah... He's not usually like that." He says quietly. My attention is drawn across the lawn by name being called.

"Bri!" Brad yells and I wave my arm at him.

"Over here!" I say and his eyes catch mine before they look over at Quinn. He appraises him shortly and must decide he's not a threat to his masculinity because he walks over at a leisurely pace. I roll my eyes at his antics, not at all amused by him.

"I was just meeting our new neighbor and his fantastic dog! This is Quinn and Hank." I say, motioning towards them. "And this is Brad, my boyfriend." I say and Brad throws his heavily muscled arm over my shoulder before holding his hand out for Quinn.

"Hey, bro. Nice to meet you." He says. He squeezes Quinn's hand much harder than necessary, but Quinn doesn't so much as blink. Brad reaches down to pat Hank, but Hank snarls at him, the hair on his back raising. Quinn pulls on the leash and Hank sits back down.

"That's his normal reaction to new people." Qiunn says and Brad scoffs.

"Doesn't seem very friendly." Brad says and I shrug.

"I guess he just likes me better." I brag and look over at Quinn. He smiles a little, a mischevious twinkle in his eye that has me grinning.

"Let's finish up, babe. Gotta get that bed put together." Brad says lowly in my ear and I scoff at him, smacking his chest as we turn towards the house.

"It was nice to meet you." I say to Quinn. Hank whines a little and pulls on his leash. Quinn's hold must have loosened because he bounds away from his owner towards me. I lean down to catch him and he lifts his furry body up to put his paws on my shoulders and resume his slobbery kisses. I laugh at the sight, giving him a gentle hug before lowering him back to the ground and grabbing his leash.

I hand it over to Quinn and our hands meet briefly. I don't miss the sharp inhale of breath from him and am surprised by the warmth that radiates through my body. I lock eyes with him, but his expression remains impassive.

"Thanks." His deep voice pulls me from my trance. "It was nice to meet you too." He says. I'm at a loss for words, so simply nod and turn back to Brad who is watching me curiously. He throws his arm over my shoulder and hauls me into his side, but I push away from him because he's slick with sweat.

"That dog seemed like an asshole." Brad says when we get back into our house. I hush him with a firm glare.

"That dog was sweet with me. Maybe you just moved too quickly and freaked him out." I say shrugging, but not really paying attention as my hand still tingles from the place that Quinn rubbed against me.

"I still don't like it. I don't want you near that dog, babe. I don't want you to get hurt." He says, walking up to me and wrapping his arms around me. He pulls me into a hot, sweaty, smelly embrace, but I let him because he's hardly ever this sweet with me.

I hear voices out front and look out to see Izzy and Sadie both standing, chatting with Quinn and Hank. I go outside to get more boxes and Hank's ears perk instantly when he sees me I grin at him and go to pet him some more. He rolls over on his back and I rub his belly as his tongue lolls out of his mouth. Sadie and I crack up at the sight, but Izzy seems to only have eyes for his owner. They chat about random things and then Quinn clears his throat, grabbing my attention.

"We're going for a jog." Quinn says and I nod and stand up. Hank whines at the loss of attention and Quinn rolls his eyes. I can't stop the grin on my face.

"Hank, come." Quinn says firmly and Hank is at his side in the next moment.

Quinn waves goodbye and they start off on a jog. I watch them go, already missing my furry new friend.

"I think I'm in love." I say wistfully and Sadie scoffs.

"With that guy?" She asks and I laugh quietly, shaking my head.

"No. With that dog."