Free Mr. Right by J. S. Cooper Page A

like they would feel silky against my fingers, even if slightly spikey. I played with my hair hastily, trying to smooth it out. Mine was messy, unkempt, my raven locks disheveled. Not exactly the femme fatale look. I wondered what he'd do if I changed the rules. Wonder what he’d say if I leaned in and told him, “Come on, then, big boy, show me what you got. Stop with the talk. Let’s just do this.” I knew that would likely shock him, take him aback. He would never expect it. Never in a million years. Guys like him didn’t think girls like me would actually start playing the game back. A part of me wanted to change the rules on him. Make him feel uncomfortable, but I knew I didn’t have it in me. I was too scared. Too scared that he’d accept and then I’d be the one who couldn’t back out.
    “I’m not sure what you’re doing here, but I’m here to walk Squirrel. Nothing more and nothing less. And to be honest, I don’t even know why I had to come? I mean, if you’re here, why do I have to walk Squirrel?”
    “You volunteered, didn’t you?” Evan looked at me with a smirk. “That was your mistake.”
    “I didn’t volunteer to walk him.” I made a face. “I’m not really into cleaning up poop and pee.”
    “I don’t think you have to clean up the pee.” Evan laughed. “Unless you want to mop it up.”
    “Well, it’s not like I’m going to leave it on the ground to stain the floors.”
    “You going to mop it up from the grass as well?”
    “Mop it up from the grass?” I looked at him with confusion in my eyes.
    “Yeah. The grass. He wouldn’t be pissing on the ground if you were to get him outside in time.”
    “Why would I be mopping up piss from the grass?” I glared at him.
    “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “That’s why I was asking you.”
    “You’re insufferable.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re one of the most annoying men I think I’ve ever met in my life.”
    “You haven’t met many men in your life, then?” He laughed.
    “Grrr.” I just shook my head and turned away. “Squirrel,” I shouted. “Where are you? Squirrel, come on, let’s go.” I walked towards the door and Squirrel came barreling into me in excitement, tongue wagging and farting all the way. I turned my nose up at the smell and prayed to God that he hadn’t let a poop out in the living room.
    “I can tell you really love dogs,” Evan said as he glanced at me staring at Squirrel’s butt in disgust.
    “I’m just trying to see if Squirrel went to the toilet.” I didn’t see any discoloring from Squirrel’s butt, so I was hopeful that I didn’t have to tend to any butt emergencies.
    “If you’re that worried that Squirrel needs to go that badly, maybe you should take him out now, instead of sitting here flirting with me.”
    “Flirting with you?” My jaw dropped and I glanced at him. “Are you frigging kidding me right now?” I stared at the twinkle in his eyes and then looked away quickly. I just couldn’t with this guy. He was too much. He knew exactly how to get me going, in more ways than one. He was trouble if ever I saw trouble. “Do you know where Squirrel’s leash is?” I pinched my lips together, knowing that I had to ask him if I ever wanted to get Squirrel out of the house.
    “In his doggy box, with all his other stuff, I presume,” Evan said matter-of-factly and I wanted to punch him.
    “And where is that?” I asked through pursed lips.
    “In the kitchen, by the pantry, where it has always been.”
    “Okay.” I walked out of the bedroom and hurried to the kitchen, stopping myself from saying anything else. Evan was such a douchebag and so condescending. I just didn’t know how Pierce or anyone else put up with him. No wonder he was single. Well, I didn’t know that he was single for sure, but I could only assume. Or secretly hope. I wasn’t sure which statement was more accurate. Did I assume or hope? I wasn’t sure and I didn’t really want to find