Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 1

volume. "I mean, should I be following you for directions to wherever we're going?"
    "You've lost your confidence. You had a swagger in school." Alec leaned against the door and tapped on the top of the door frame. "You don't have to be so nervous. I only bite when asked and I've had my shots." He chuckled. "As for the wheels, I rode to the conference with Stu. I wanted to save on gas. Right now, I'm all yours."
    I couldn't be that lucky. Part of me wanted to ask who Stu was. The rest of me figured it wasn't worth knowing. He was right. I'd lost my swagger once I realized my heart had been abused for the umpteenth time. I grabbed the gear shift, then stopped. "Um, where are we going? I don't know any bars that allow you to bring pets."
    He clapped his hands. "Niemi's House of Ill Repute. Best place I know to have a beer, kick back with your friends and not feel compelled to be civilized."
    I stared straight ahead, trying to figure out where the hell we were going. I didn't know any bar called Niemi... Realization dawned and I turned in my seat. "You're taking us home? For the first date?" In addition to my surprise, excitement swelled in my heart. I shifted in my seat. My cock wanted to head to his place, too. Over and over again.
    Alec grinned again. "How else am I going to get into your pants? I know who I want and I don't take no for an answer."
    I wanted to be shocked. I did. But I wasn't. I liked it. Liked his forthrightness, liked his putting himself out there...I liked that he liked me. A lot.
    "Take me home so we can fuck like rabbits."
    Well, if he put it that way...
    ****
    I've never been the king of suave. I can handle social situations and fake confidence, but not when the guy took the lead. If I have to be genuine, I'm a mess. My hands shook on the steering wheel. I'd been in relationships before and hit on a couple of times, so why did Alec saying he wanted to fuck stir things in my gut and my chest?
    "If you head out on old Route 31 and go for two miles, my road is just on the right. Headlemeyer. I'm in the duplex apartments." Alec put his arm around Dragon. "You really should think about getting a harness so he doesn't get hurt if there's an accident."
    Harness? Shit. They made those things? I assumed the dogs just sat there. Some dogs ran around in the bed of the truck.
    "I've got one at the clinic. Stu brought it in as a sample." Alec ruffled Dragon's face. "You really like your master, don't you?"
    I'm not sure if he actually expected Dragon to answer or if he wanted me to say something.
    "Stu is your clinic partner?" I swallowed hard, not sure I wanted to hear the answer.
    "Nah. He brings in samples from the pet accessory companies. He tries to convince the vets to promote certain items like collars, leashes and carriers. Stu's a good guy, just a little confused." He squeezed my leg, both reassuring me and adding to my arousal. "He's suggested we should be more than friends, but he's not my type. Too pushy."
    "Oh." I turned onto his road and lost traction on the cinders. "Did they put down enough? It's freaking June."
    "Yeah, they went a little berserk during the last snowstorm. The road is still a mess. Cinders and heaps of salt that never melted even three months later." Alec nodded. "I'm in the third house. Good ole ugly ass pink."
    I crinkled my nose. I'd driven past the quaint little development more than once and yeah, the colors of the houses stood out. One pink, one yellow, one lime green and one a nauseating shade of purple.
    "I've got to ask. Why here? Aren't there nicer apartments in town?" I pulled into a parking spot behind the pink house and shut off the engine. "The Blackwood Manor apartments are pretty good. I lived there..." I closed my mouth. It hurt to admit I'd met my ex there.
    Alec climbed out of the truck and took Dragon's leash. "Come on, boy. Let's go." Once Dragon jumped onto the pavement, Alec grabbed his folders and the coat. "A little furry. Hazard of the job."
    "Sorry." I wasn't sure if I was more sorry for asking the stupid question or the fur all over his coat. Alec had the dog's leash, but I couldn't make my feet move. He'd invited me over and there I was hovering by the truck, scared to death. I wanted whatever I had with Alec to go well, not end up ruined on account of fur.
    Alec tossed his soiled jacket onto the fence railing and opened the gate, then led Dragon into the fenced part of the yard. "There you go, buddy. Run and play." For his part, Dragon waddled