Meant For Her by Raine Thomas Page B

Goldberg in 2-C. His mom said we were welcome to use it as long as we need it.”
    Without a word, he bent down and lifted Beck, carrying him over to the wagon. The dog seemed to understand what they were doing, as he didn’t try to escape. His tail thumped joyfully against the side of the wagon, though.
    “Thank you, Sierra.”
    “You’re welcome, Evan.”
    They made their way down the elevator and through the lobby. She greeted Deborah, the manager on duty that day, and introduced Evan before they headed to the park.
    She realized she’d forgotten her sunglasses and camera bag as soon as they stepped out into the brilliant sunshine. Not willing to keep Evan waiting, she shrugged it off and prayed she didn’t see anything she’d regret not capturing.
    “Did Dr. Paulk say how long he thought Beck’s sprain would take to recover?” she asked.
    “At least three weeks,” Evan said. “And that’s if he cooperates and doesn’t try to jump around on it before then. I guess the drugs can make him feel better than he actually is, so he’ll want to be active even when he shouldn’t.”
    She considered this as they entered the park. Evan had Leo and Miller on their leashes, so she pulled the wagon. Glancing back at Beck, whose body was shivering with the desire to play, she knew they’d have a battle on their hands.
    “You’ll have to cage him when you’re not there,” she said.
    “Yeah. I hate it, though.”
    They didn’t speak again for a few minutes. When they reached a shady spot, she lifted Beck and set him down so he could relieve himself. It hurt her heart to see him wanting to play with Leo and Miller and not being able to. After he’d done his business, she found a spot to sit and pulled him into her lap, hoping it helped.
    She felt Evan’s gaze on her like a caress. She’d been steadily checking him out since they left the apartment building, so she appreciated the return gesture. The memory of his kiss had seared itself into her memory.
    As they continued around the park before returning to their apartments, Evan said, “I’m going to look like a dumbass tugging this bright red wagon when I walk them later.”
    She laughed. “Haven’t you looked around? This is one of the least strange things you’ve probably seen around here.”
    He seemed to give that some thought. “Maybe. Sure would look less like a dumbass, though, if you were toting the wagon instead.”
    “You think so?”
    “I could maybe even take you to dinner somewhere for bailing me out.”
    “I suppose I could be convinced. But since we’d have to cage poor Beck if we left, why don’t I just make us something to eat?”
    “I’m supposed to be repaying you, remember?”
    “Takeout, then? Maybe followed by some necking on the sofa?”
    “I think we have ourselves a deal.”

Chapter 15
     
     
    Evan regretted his dinner invitation as soon as he was alone in his apartment. Why the hell had he invited Sierra over? Getting involved with her was not an option, no matter how hot she was. He didn’t want to get involved with anyone.
    But she’d taken care of Beck. The least he could do was buy her dinner.
    Despite his reservations over the date, he found himself checking the clock every two minutes as six-thirty rolled around. He knew Sierra was just on the other side of his kitchen wall getting ready to come over with Leo. It really wasn’t a big deal, he told himself for the hundredth time.
    It couldn’t be a big deal.
    Since they were staying in, he hadn’t felt any need to dress up. His T-shirt and board shorts were the same clothes he’d worn on their walk. If Sierra’s scent still clung to his T-shirt from when she’d kissed him after the walk, what of it? He would have changed if he’d wanted to.
    Okay, fine. He was man enough to admit it. She smelled damn good and he liked having her scent on him.
    Their kissing session earlier had run through his head all afternoon. He’d been walking around partially aroused