Read Online The Truth About Cats & Dogs by Lori Foster, Kristine Rolofson, Caroline Burnes - Free Book Online Page B

married men.”
    Buck said, “Marriage hasn’t matured either of you at all.”
    Ignoring that gibe, Ethan said, “So tell us who the lucky lady is.” His brows pulled together in consideration. “Is it Beth? I remember you were partial to her, but I gotta tell you, Rosie doesn’t like her much.”
    â€œRosie doesn’t like any woman who smiles at you, Ethan, but no, it’s not Beth.”
    â€œThen it must be Rachel.” Harris held his hands out in front of his chest as if juggling melons. “There’s a lot of her to love.”
    Buck narrowed his eyes. “Clair’s gonna kill you when she hears what you said.”
    â€œWell, for God’s sake, I was just kidding around. Don’t tell her!”
    Just then, a knock sounded on Buck’s French doors—and there stood Sadie with a squirming Tish in her arms. Buck’s underwear was half wrapped around the dog. Belatedly, Sadie noticed Ethan and Harris and appeared ready to bolt.
    Buck wondered if he could somehow magically make the guys disappear. He ran through his options—but one look at them told Buck a team of wild horses couldn’t drag them away. He gave up and opened the door.
    Taking her by surprise he whispered, “Hey,” and bent to press his mouth to hers in a warm kiss.
    When he lifted his head, she looked speechless, breathless and too warm. She glanced at Harris and Ethan, who smiled at her in turn, and her blush intensified.
    â€œI can come back later,” she blurted. “I didn’t mean to interrupt—”
    Harris literally leaped forward. “You’re not. Come on in.”
    Ethan pulled a chair out for her. “Have a seat. Can I get you a cola?”
    She looked overwhelmed by her welcome. “Well…”
    Buck had to grin. Damn, but he had great friends. They were total idiots at times, which was part of their charm, but he could never doubt their loyalty.
    Butch came barreling around the corner, saw Sadie and Tish, and there was no curbing his exhilaration. He turned circles, barked maniacally, and all but demanded that Sadie put Tish down.
    â€œYoung love,” Harris crooned with a hand over his heart.
    He tried to pet Tish, but she almost threw herself out of Sadie’s arms trying to get away. Sadie juggled her to the ground, Tish snatched the underwear away from her, and together with Butch, she made her hasty escape.
    Harris stared. “My God, she hates me.”
    â€œProbably heard about your reputation.” Ethan grinned.
    â€œHa, ha.” But Harris was both appalled and wounded by the dog’s rejection. Buck knew just how he felt.
    Sadie tried to reassure Harris. “She’s very shy. She hasn’t even gotten used to me yet. It wasn’t personal.”
    â€œShe was mistreated,” Buck explained.
    â€œMistreated?” Ethan demanded. “Who would mistreat that little thing?” Buck told them all about what Tish had been through, then he went on to describe Sadie’s role in caring for the animals. He left nothing out, extolling her dedication and caring.
    She blushed as Harris and Ethan heaped praise on her for her generosity. Within minutes, the two men were settled at the table, drinking his cola and eating his pizza and hanging on Sadie’s every word. Whenever she paused, they asked another question. Their interest was genuine, but Buck also knew they were deliberately welcoming her, trying to make her feel at ease.
    There was something about Sadie that brought out a man’s protective instincts. Her big heart, yes, but also her naked vulnerability, the way she left herself so emotionally exposed.
    Buck thought about throwing them out, then decided it’d be nice for Sadie to get to know them better. He’d have her alone soon enough.
    Or so he thought.
    Two hours later, Harris and Ethan were still going strong. The dogs had reappeared for a drink and a doggie treat, then