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Wrinkling my nose, I replied, "You know I hate surprises"

"You’ll like this one It’s a special gift fro look passed between Susan and Jake

Reluctantly, I pulled th of the porch to meet Jake He took my hand in his and led me across the yard to his barn When he opened the door, a fluffy ball of a Golden Retriever puppy caot ift from my Papa She’s the pick of his new litter"

I squealed with delight as I went to pick up the puppy "She’s beautiful," I murmured as I rubbed my face into the soft fur

"Does that rinned "Oh I love this one"

Jake tipped back his baseball cap off his forehead and eyed ood question" I stared into the puppy’s warm brown eyes "What should I name you, sweetheart?" As she opened her el"

"But you’re els around here"

"Whatever She’s your dog"

I couldn’t helpin worry "But what happens when I have to leave or go back on the road?"

Jake shrugged "She’ll just stay here with all our other dogs until you get back"

My heartbeat hammered so loud I feared Jake would hear it I didn’t know if he realized that by sayingwould always have a home at his house, he had just alluded to a massive level of commitment between us "Are you sure that wouldn’t be an imposition?" I finally asked

"Of course not I mean, we have all these fenced in acres for her to run around and frolic in"

I giggled "Did you just say frolic?"

"Yeah, I did, sently down on the floor, I then put my arms around Jake’s neck "Thank you so ift You rinned "You’re welco kiss Since the night I had been beaten by Bree, Jake had been gun-shy about kissing or touchingin the world, I wanted his ht in the hotel roo hiainst his Surprisingly, Jake ran his hand down ainst hiues danced around each other, I brazenly rubbedin his jeans I hiked one ofhi into his ass Since I wanted to give hiainst Jake, silently begging with e for hiaround his waist I arched roan intotrail down e to cupit was from pain, not pleasure, Jake froze My vocal reaction had the sa a bucket of ice cold water over Jake "Oh fk," he s froround, he ran a shaky hand through his hair

"Jake, please don’t stop!" I protested

He shook his head "You’re not fully healed I hurt you"