“I’m so proud of you,” she said, reaching for his hand. “I know how hard it is to face personal demons.”
He wanted to ask her about her personal demons but didn’t want to spoil the mood by digging too deeply.
They finished dinner and packed up the extra food, feeling relaxed and sated from the meal and a meaningful conversation. This is what he’d always wanted in a relationship. MJ continued to tell him stories from her high school years as they drove home.
When they reached the house, Rob pulled the truck into the driveway and turned off the motor. “Stay there,” he said, “I’ll come around.”
“That’s unnecessary. I’m capable of getting out by myself.”
“I know that. Let me do this for you, not because you can’t open the door and jump down but to show you respect and caring.”
“Okay, since you put it that way.”
Rob came around and opened the passenger door, lifting her small frame off the high truck seat, and letting her slide down the front of his body.
Her breath quickened as she brushed against him, and he held her close for a moment, caressing her back, and burying his nose in her hair. God, she smelled good.
MJ turned to pick up the Styrofoam box of leftovers.
“Let me get that for you.”
“Thanks.” Her lashes mostly covered MJ’s eyes, as if she’d had an attack of shyness.
Rob shifted, hoping to rearrange his erection without reaching down and moving things around. He lagged a step or two behind her and finally adjusted himself before catching up and putting his arm around her shoulders.
Maverick met them at the door, giving a low woof of welcome. “How are you doing, boy? Do you need to go out?” Rob asked.
“I can take him.”
“Why don’t we both take him out for a short walk? I want to have you work with him consistently. The more he learns your way of handling him, the better.”
“That’s fine. I love working with him.”
“You’re making good progress, too.” Rob reached over and picked up the halter and fit it on the Malinois, clipping the leash to the ring on the halter. “Go ahead. I’ll bring up the rear.”
MJ gave the dog a few simple commands and waited as Maverick responded.
Rob observed, impressed with her progress. Maverick really listened to her now. She practiced starting and stopping, using paces of different speeds. She had him sit and stay as she walked off, leaving the leash lying on the ground in front of him. She had him lie down, shake, roll over, and finally, turned her back on him as she walked away. Each time, Maverick responded to her commands without looking to Rob for further direction.
“You and Maverick have come a long way, MJ. I can’t believe how well he responds to you. I’m so proud of you both.”
“I feel so much more confident than I did at first.”
“It shows. If you continue to practice, you’ll be great to handle him all on your own. In fact, that’s what we should do moving forward. I’ll leave it to you to work with him without me there. If you have any problems, I can join you and help you work through them, but I want Maverick to get used to trusting you alone.”
Her progress pleased him, and he knew this was the next step. He hated the thought that she didn’t need him, though. Would she expect him to move on? He’d stayed in Ridgeview to teach her how to handle the warrior dog, but if she didn’t need him for that, would their time together end? Hell, he wasn’t ready for that. He wouldn’t leave with a threat still hanging over them.
Would she want him to leave? He was an injured Marine with PTSD. That wasn’t exactly a recommendation for a suitable boyfriend. No, he wasn’t giving up. He’d started therapy, and he’d do what he needed to be the man MJ deserved, the type of guy Trevor would have wanted for her.
“Let’s go in,” MJ said, turning to him and touching him on the arm. “Didn’t we have a make-out session planned?”
“That’s right. How could I have forgotten that?” Not that he’d forgotten it for a moment. More than anything, he wanted to hold her in his arms, taste her sweet lips, and make her feel good. They weren’t ready to sleep together yet, but he wanted to show her she could trust him to bring her pleasure. He reached over and put his arm around her again. “Let’s go home.”
“C’mon, Maverick. Heel.” Once again, the dog responded to her instructions.
“Go on in, MJ,” Rob said when they arrived back at the house. “I’ll make sure he does his business, and then we’ll be right in.”
She turned away, giving him a flirty smile over her shoulder. His heart beat faster, and he tingled with awareness. Damn, she was sexy.
“Hurry, Maverick. I’ve got plans for that woman.”
Almost as if he understood, the Malinois squatted and left a pile at the edge of the patio. “Good boy. I love it when you cooperate. Next time I’m at the store, I’ll get you a big juicy bone.”
Maverick panted as if he understood. He licked Rob’s hand and gave him a doggy grin.
“You’re a good dog, Maverick. You make MJ happy. Let’s see what I can do to make her happy, too.” Together they walked up the back steps and into the kitchen.
MJ wasn’t in the kitchen or living room. “MJ?” he called.
“I’ll be out in a minute. I wanted to change out of my work clothes into something more comfortable.”
He flipped on the TV and channel-surfed, looking for a football game. He settled in to watch the Titan’s game against the
