The Blind Date by Landish, Lauren (suggested reading .txt) 📕

“Yes,” I tell him with a glare. “Don’t make fun. They’re cute and keep him safe.”

“Raffy, do you want a hat?”

“Rowf!”

“Guess that settles it,” Noah says with a disbelieving shake of his head. I have to laugh as I grab the last two items. Tossing them in my backpack, I slip the straps over my shoulders only to find Noah rubbing Raffy’s belly, being nice to my fur baby. He won’t admit it, of course, but Raffy’s already got him wrapped around a little paw.

And the view today is . . . fantastic. While yes, I prefer Noah looking powerful and sexy in one of his tailored suits, he looks just as good today in board shorts and a tank top, his muscles not hinted at but on clear display for me.

His arms are lean, his muscles outlined under his skin, not bodybuilder veiny but clear and defined. I hope he enjoys what I’ve got on underneath my sundress as much as I’m enjoying looking at him.

“All ready!” I chirp, getting Noah’s attention. I slip my sandals on, and we go down to my VW Bug, since Raffy travels a lot better in there than any other vehicle. Noah holds Raffy in his lap while I drive, still scratching the spoiled puppy’s head.

“Tell me about this place? A dog water park?”

“Yup,” I confirm with a grin. “Doggys need slides too!”

“I have to see this,” Noah says, and a half hour later, the look in his eyes tells me that no matter how well I explained it, he wasn’t expecting what he’s seeing now.

“See? It was an old kiddie park that wasn’t getting used, and the owner let his own dog run around when no one was here. Then an idea was born. He turned it into a specialty park for dogs and their owners. Three pools, a waterfall, slides for both humans and dogs . . . Inu Onsen’s got something for everyone. Spread out over a few acres, it’s a little smaller than most human-only parks, but for this, it’s perfect.”

“It’s genius from a business perspective,” Noah says approvingly. I bet he’s already done a rough headcount and multiplied by the admission rate we paid for Raffy. Owners are free, but they charge the canine guests.

“Come on, the lockers are over here,” I tell him, having memorized the map. I can speak his language too.

I open the locker, setting the bag down inside to pull out Raffy’s gear. I help him into his life vest despite his wiggled arguments and then Velcro his hat around his chin.

I slip the straps of my sundress down my arms, not intending to be sexy, but I feel the heat of Noah’s eyes on me. He watches as I let the dress drop below my breasts to my waist and then carefully step out of it to stand in my yellow polka-dot, two-piece swimsuit. It’s nothing overly sexy, not a thong or anything that’s more strings than fabric. In fact, it’s more of a hippy-style boy short with a bandeau top. Perfectly acceptable for a public water park.

Noah makes me feel like I’m standing before him nude, though. His eyes skate over my skin, and I swear I can feel the caress of his gaze.

“Raffy . . . I think your momma’s trying to set this place on fire. She’s so hot today,” Noah tells my dog conspiratorially. “I’m going to need to be Johnny on the spot with the sunscreen, making sure I keep her well coated in cream.”

Why does that sound like a promise and threat all at once?

I grin, reaching into my bag and pulling out a bottle of sunscreen. “Already ahead of you.”

Noah practically dives for the bottle, pulling it out of my hand. He squirts a generous amount into his palm and then begins sliding the lotion all over my skin. It feels naughty and intimate to do this in public where anyone could see, even though Noah’s hands aren’t dipping anywhere private.

Oops, spoke too soon . . . His fingertip dips just below the waist of my suit, tracing over the small of my back.

“Let me do you,” I tell him, taking the lotion back. Two can play this game.

I drizzle the sunscreen directly onto his chest, then squeeze his pecs and firmly spread the lotion over his shoulders. I can feel his heart beating faster beneath my palm.

“Rowf!” Raffy barks, breaking the spell.

“Way to go, Fluffy Cockblocker,” Noah says too loudly, and while I should be mortified at the people who look our way, I can only laugh.

We head to what I already know is going to be my favorite spot, a full-on ‘beach-style’ pool that slopes gradually from toe-deep all the way to swimming depth if you want. It’s perfect because Raffy can splash and even go doggy paddling if he wants, but humans can cool off too.

Noah dumps his towel on a lounge chair and immediately runs for the water a little awkwardly. “Be right back!” he calls over his shoulder as I laugh. “Need to cool off! It’s a scorcher out here today.”

I can see the outline of his hardness, proof of the effect I have on him, and it makes me feel sexier than ever. I might be a lightweight in terms of kink, but I love the happiness being sexy for Noah helps me feel.

I drop down to sit on the lounge chair as Raffy takes off after Noah, thinking this water-running thing is a game for his amusement.

I watch them playing together, Noah squatting in the pool to help Raffy swim back and forth in the cool water. I take a deep breath, grounding myself in the moment—the feel of the sun on my skin, the smell of chlorine and wet dog, the sound of squeaky balls, the sight of Noah and Raffy being so cute, and though sunscreen is a smell, I swear I can taste it on my tongue.

All of it together makes me feel very, very happy. This moment is what it’s all about—finding joy