Hating the Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Builders)

18. Colton

CHAPTER 18

Colton

" W here are you going?" I croak as I feel Josephine try to slip out of bed.

"I need to let Snowball out."

I roll over so she can't escape. "The dog can wait. I haven't had my morning kiss."

She gives me a lazy smile that makes my heart skip a beat. This woman has me wrapped around her finger. I kiss her lips, ones I spent hours nipping and sucking last night, and I'm seconds away from getting lost again when she pushes me back, and I groan my displeasure. She knows what I'm after. It's the same thing I've been after every morning this week, waking up in her bed: Her.

"I've been meaning to ask you… how does it feel?"

"How does what feel?" I quirk a brow.

"Waking up with the same girl you fell asleep with."

The small smile that tugs at the corner of her mouth would suggest it is a tease, but her nails softly dragging up my back tell me it's also a genuine ask. She held onto my words from the hotel. I don't do sleepovers. "Like something I can do forever with someone I want to do it with." A smile takes over her face as her eyes soften and drop to my mouth before I take her lips in mine again. I abandon her mouth in search of more, fully prepared to worship her body the way I have every morning since waking in her bed when her phone rings. Her hands push at my chest. "Leave it," I say as I continue my descent.

"It might be Archie. He's two hours ahead of us." I relent and roll off so she can answer the call. "Hello," she answers, and I prop myself up on my elbow as I take a strand of her hair between my fingers and mindlessly twist. "Yes, this is Josephine." My curiosity peaks, knowing it's not Archer. "Oh really?" Sadness floods her tone.

I nudge her arm and mouth. "Who is it?"

She holds up a finger. "That's horrible." What's horrible? Who the hell is she talking to? "No need to worry. Thank you for getting back to me… Okay, goodbye." Her eyes find mine, and her face is impassive as a million possibilities of what that call was about flick through my mind. "Guess what? We get to keep Snowball." She pats the bed. "Did you hear that buddy? This is your new home." The white mutt excitedly jumps onto the bed, wagging his tail as she pets him.

"So what's his story?"

"That was the gas station attendant I left my number with. She said a neighbor of Snowball's owner recognized him. Apparently, Snowball ran out the door the day paramedics were called for an emergency at the house. The owner didn't survive."

"That's awful," I agree, feeling a little remorse for telling her we couldn't take him when I first spotted them on the side of the gas station.

"Yeah, I'm all he has." She slides out of bed and starts pouring him food.

"Hey, I wasn't ready for you to get up yet."

She strokes the dog's coat before standing. "I need to get dressed and call Kieran."

"Kieran?" I question, unable to bite back my jealousy.

"He's a vet. I want to get Snowball chipped so we don't lose him," she says as she walks toward the en suite. "Also, don't forget Jacob invited us to Holly's Tavern tonight after we close the tree lot."

I throw the cover off. "Are you asking me on a real date, Josephine Estes?"

She smiles. "I guess I am. It's a double date, and I expect you to be on your best behavior this time."

I nod toward the bathroom. "Are you going to let me join you?"

She pulls her sleep shirt off over her head and tosses it at me. "No." I spring off the bed, but she slams the door before I can reach her. "Let Snowball outside when he's done eating," she calls through the door.

I hear the shower turn on, and I slide down the back of the door, and Snowball side-eyes me while he chews his food. "She does what she wants and tells me no… I'm going to marry that girl."