Chapter 3 -

I stepped out into the chilly evening air and headed toward my truck, I heard a ruckus of laughs and barks. As I approached, I was shocked at what I saw. Dingo was bent over making ridiculous faces at Biscuit who was doing his best to lick his way through the window.

“I’ll never get all the drool off the door, you know that right.” I chided as I walked up.

He looked like a kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar and laughed. Good lord, I could never be mad at that handsome face. He flashed me a charming smile and I felt my face flush. Again!

“You can just throw those in the back.” I said tipping my head at the bones. Man, I was tired.

Dingo dropped the bones in the truck bed with a loud rumble. Four, big bones rolled about.

“I’m sure Biscuit won’t mind the dirt and a bit of rust on them.” I smiled and opened the door.

Biscuit literally flew out, around the truck to Dingo who was trying to make his way over to me. I laughed gently, “He must really like you.”

“It’s my animal magnetism.” Dingo replied with a mischievous smile.

He deftly stepped around Biscuit, who was still trying to lick him to death, and over to my side. He’s gotta be a surfer, I thought to myself.

Dingo snapped his fingers and like a silent command only Biscuit could hear, the dog plopped his butt down and sat to attention just gazing up at Dingo with adoring eyes.

“Dingo, this is Biscuit. Biscuit this is Dingo.” I said trying to keep a straight face. We both chuckled. Again, with the tingly sensation. Yes, he was attractive but why was I suddenly this horny? I need to go home.

“Oh, Nick told me to give this to you as well.” He said as he handed me a small bottle of ointment.

“What is it?” I asked, eyeing it curiously.

Dingo took a deep breath before he replied, “I have no idea.” We both smiled. “It’s something Nick cooks up, but it heals almost anything. Put it on once a day for a week and your hand should be fine.”

My fingers brushed up against his warm hand as I took the small bottle. It felt like little static shocks all over my hand. I gasped and looked up to see if he felt it too, but he was just staring at me intently.

“Um, thanks.” I whispered.

I sniffed at it. It was the salve that Nick placed on my wound earlier. It smelled wonderful. My eyes started to gloss over and I felt my mind moving. That feeling of chaos starting to turn, pulling at me. It starts as a small feeling then slowly begins to take form and color. My mind races off to wherever the chaos wills it to go. I hate this.

This time I saw a green and it felt warm. Like sea-green ocean waves, semi-opaque and moving. Rising and falling. Green like his eyes. I haven’t felt a pull like that for a long time. I felt my stomach tighten, a sensual heat starting low….

Biscuit’s worried bark brought me out of my trance. I looked up to see Dingo very close to me with a worried line across his perfect face. There it is. The worry and sadness too. For a moment he looked much older. I felt a deep urge to reach out and touch him. I lifted my hand but then quickly brought it back down embarrassed.

“Are you ok?” He gently asked me.

Oh Gods, he must think I’m on drugs or something. I’ve been spaced out staring at him and now I’m getting aroused. “Oh, what? Yes. Sorry, I’m fine. I’m just really tired that’s all.” I lamely mumbled.

I shook my head as I came back to the real world, trying to not look like a complete basket case. Walk away Mrs. Robinson, let it go. Go home, eat and then paint it out. In that order. I called Biscuit back into the truck and slid in. Dingo hesitantly stepped back.

“Thanks again.” I said. He waved but his eyes never left me as I pulled away.

Biscuit whined a little as we went down the road. “I know buddy, he was something, huh? What a strange night it’s turned out to be.” I whispered and gently scratched behind his ears.

He laid down with his block head on my lap as I started the drive home. Silly beast, I thought and kept petting his soft velvety ears.

Biscuit’s sharp, ‘yip’ woke me up.

“Fuck!” I shouted as I pulled back in time to avoid driving right off the road. My heart was racing. I could feel the adrenaline pumping but I still couldn’t quite wake up all the way. My eyes were heavy.

“I’m sorry Buddy,” I reassured him. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Shit, I even scared myself.”

I rolled the window down to let the cold night air in and I pulled over to collect myself. I took a few deep breaths and closed my eyes. Again, the alluring sea-green color, floating around inside my mind. Like I was floating in a gentle bobbing sea. Rising and falling….

“No really Danny, are you all right?” It was that sweet voice again that was already familiar to me. His voice but it was edged with anger. I bolted upright and Biscuit jumped too. He started barking as if to make up for his lapse in alertness.

“What the fuck?” I snarled out of reflex.

Dingo was standing right next to my truck. Out here, pulled over, about 20 minutes out of town.

“Dingo? What are you doing here?” I was harsh but to be fair he just scared the crap out of me.

Biscuit started drooling and wagging as soon as he realized who it was.

“You’re just lucky it’s me.” He scolded. “You’re pulled over with your window fully down and it’s night now. I could have been anyone. Besides there are bears and worse yet, wolves out here.”  

He looked at me with concern. It was dark but I could tell his lips were turned up in a slight smile. I wanted to give him a solid piece of my mind. Who the hell did he think he was to lecture me?  I whipped around to let him have it and I looked into those eyes.

A meek reply, “Biscuit would have let me know if anyone was around.” Was all that would come out.

I was too tired to argue and wasn’t feeling well. I rubbed my forehead and eyes. He just kept watching me. I softly said, “I’m sorry, I’m really not a bitch. I’ve just had a hard day. I hurt, I’m tired and I just want to make it home.”

I wasn’t going to admit that I nearly wrecked mere minutes earlier. What’s he gonna do anyway, spank me? I snarked at myself. But really that idea stoked the flame that was already heating my loins. Ugh, what is wrong with me? Too tired to drive but my body wants to jump him.

He glanced over at Biscuit and back at me and smirked. Apparently, he had made up his mind about something. He stepped back and there was a loud thud at the back of the truck as he plopped his mountain bike in. He stepped back to my door and had it open before I could say anything.

“Scooch over. I’ll take you home.” He said in a surprisingly paternal, no arguments allowed tone.

I just stared at him. I crossed my arms and was basically pouting. My mind kept trying to kick start like I should know better than to let myself get in this situation. Stranger danger and all that. I don’t know this guy and I don’t think I could take him if it got physical. There is no one else out here. Hmm, all alone with a very handsome man…. Again, a surge of heat and the tingly feeling. I got a genuine sense of concern and even caring from both him and Nick. Dingo smiled. It’s like he knew I couldn’t argue with him.

Whatever – I wasn’t sure I’d safely get the rest of the way home by myself anyway. Besides, I had to think of Biscuits safety. I huffed and scooted over. His tall body lithely slid in with the grace of a cat and he shut the door. “Um…. so where is this ‘home’ I’m taking you too?” He said gently to lighten the mood. He moved so smoothly, he had to be a surfer.

I whispered halfheartedly, “I’m number 7 in the Paradise Cove Trailer court.”

I leaned back in my seat. Biscuit laid his big block head on my lap as the truck fired up again. I let my eyes close for a moment, or so I thought.