Boss On A Leash: A Single Dad Billionaire Romance, Kara Hart [free ebook reader for iphone .TXT] 📗

His face relaxes. His lips twitch, preparing a smile. “You really like this girl, don’t you?”

It’s too early to think about that. I just want to keep seeing her.

“Let’s put it this way. I’m willing to risk my ass for this,” I say.

He tilts his head back, eyes narrowed. “You like her.”

Either my cheeks are turning red or my whole face is on fire. “You don’t think I’m in over my head?” I ask.

A deep bubble of laughter escapes him. “You’re definitely in over your head. But that’s all right. I’m going to save you.”

“My hero,” I joke. “And how are you going to do that?”

He moves away from the door, smug. “Give me a couple days. You’ll see.”

Ali

An hour before class starts, I smuggle my slobber-stained St. Bernard into Marymoor dog park. It’s just a few short blocks from Shadow Park Valley Day School. With over forty-four acres of farm land at our disposal, the other dogs have space to run around and explore. This place is a doggy Disneyland. I don’t think Rowdy will be any trouble for me. He’s quite happy.

Today, I carry forward with a bit more optimism than usual. As the day unfolds with an orange sherbet sunrise, a warm breeze evaporates the fog, and for once, Rowdy is behaving like an angel. It’s something in the air, I guess. Everything feels like it’s coming together, even if I left things with Marc unfinished.

To welcome me into the school, one of the other teachers, Amanda, has decided to join me on my morning walk. Attempting to stay in the present, I focus on the beautiful landscape and realize I’ve got the whole year ahead of me. If something is going to happen between Marc and I, nature will let it happen.

I meet Amanda at the end of a sawdust trail that hugs the green grass. She’s got her own dog. Her own well-behaved handsome beast of a Rottweiler. As soon as Rowdy sees her, his ears perk up, his mouth fizzes with gooey saliva, and he lets out a bark the size of a Buick.

Holding the leash tight, I give it a gentle tug. Then I give Amanda a quick hug, watching to see if Rowdy sneaks a nip. The store owner was right, he’s not a bad dog. He’s just a little clunky and awkward. Everyone judges him, but he’s a good boy.

“Thanks for meeting me,” I say.

“Of course. Did you catch the sunrise?”

It’s still going strong. I give an excited nod.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” she asks.

I admire the area and feel blessed to start over in such a positive way. When I first arrived in Seattle, it was a little overwhelming. I found myself occupying my time in line for the Space Needle, or reading books in the park near Pike’s Place Market. Tourist stuff. But what I’ve started to realize is that a city is defined by its inhabitants, but what surrounds it gives it some much needed character. On the outside of Seattle is a wide variety wildlife, nature, and picturesque views that can change your entire day. Who knows, maybe I’ll become one of those nature girls someday.

“I love it here,” I admit. “It’s like a dream.”

“You’re new in town. Someday, it’ll feel like a nightmare,” she jokes.

At least, I think it’s a joke.

I met Amanda a few days ago when I was first getting adjusted at school. Dean Berman introduced us, and we immediately hit off. She’s got a loud personality, the opposite of my award-winning awkward demeanor.

It’s a newer school, but its reputation has been built up like the Great Wall of China. It’s an impenetrable fortress of wealth, status, and power. Amanda has a reputation, too. She’s rich, wears expensive clothes, has her own gaggle of minions, and has some pretty foul taste in men after getting d. That’s just me being honest.

A new teacher like me shouldn’t get accepted into a private school like Valley Day. But Amanda gets me. I understand her. We’ve got enough determination to see us through the finish line. We’re also the youngest among the staff. If we want to survive, we better stick together and keep our alliance strong.

As we talk and catch up, I can’t help but notice the light reflect off her dog’s amber fur. “Wow, she’s a pretty girl,” I say.

She bends and brushes her back. “This is Luna,” she says. “Go ahead and pet her. She won’t hurt a fly.”

I reach and let her sniff the back of my hand. When she gets a good whiff, her tail starts to wag, and her tongue whips near my face. “Hi, sweetie,” I whisper.

My dog shows off by urinating near my new shoes. “This hunk of meat is Rowdy,” I mutter.

Amanda angles her head. “This is good ol’ plan b?”

I told her all about the story of Ragamuffin, leaving out most of the key details to be safe. Marc seems to be well known around here, so I haven’t mentioned his name to anyone. It’s my little secret. Something tells me it’s coming.

I contain my laughter. “The dog I wanted to get turned out to be a little demon, so Rowdy’s growing obedience is a pleasant surprise.”

Rowdy farts. It’s time to start walking.

“So, I saw you talking to someone in the hall the other day,” she says, eyes lighting up. “Want to tell me what that was about?”

It’s gossip time for her. For me, it’s time to find out more about the situation surrounding Marc. What does he do for a living? What’s the story surrounding Sammy? These are key details I need to know if anything is going to happen between us.

Pretending I don’t know what she’s talking about, I furrow my brow. “Who, Dean Berman?”

She frowns. “Don’t play dumb with me. The guy in the black suit who looks at you with puppy dog eyes. Marc Wylan.”

I laugh, but my head is starting to wander back to the dinner I had with Marc and Sammy. It