The Forgotten mate

Now(11)

‘Sit.’ I said, pointing using my firmest voice, the little beagle gave a happy puppy hop wagging his tail and scampered to me. ‘No.’ I grumbled ‘sit, sit.’he gave a playful yip and jumped up at my leg. I groaned, and my eyes flickered to the clock on the wall and I saw that somehow it had become midday. I didn't dare wait any later to open up as Norma would somehow know she always knew. I closed the baby gate and I put the dog back to the floor, walking briskly through the shop, turning the sign over and walked back through the shelves quickly as I heard frantic puppy yips. I frowned as I spotted the puppy was somehow in the shop, the gate having swung open. I groaned had I ever groaned more than I had this morning. The puppy cried and looked up at me with big sad eyes. I sighed and picked him up,

‘Come on mate, I’m right there, you can see me.’ I muttered, walking into the back room scratching his head, ‘I need to work OK be a big boy.’

‘Hello?’ a voice called out from the shop. I leaned over to look out into the shop.

‘Oh hi.’ I said, pulling a big smile on my face as I saw Dean stood behind the counter honestly looking awkward. ‘ One sec.’ I said, ducking back behind the door, putting blue down he immediately began savaging my shoelace,’ no I said pulling my foot away 'as I tried to walk to the gate he jumped grabbing my shoelace again with a savage snarl, ‘no let go… look sit…sit…oh god.’

‘Are you alright back there ?’ Dean's voice called from the shop, sounding honestly confused,

‘It's I … I’m fine … i just OK, look get here.’ I said as the pup sprinted for the baby gate.

‘Me?’ I asked, sounding very confused.

‘No not you.’ I said quickly, ‘Fine, come here.’ I said, picking up the puppy and tucked him up in my arms. I stepped over the baby gate and gave Dean a small smile. The little beagle turned his face to him and started growling loudly, raising his hackles. I frowned at the puppy, ‘this wasn't something I had seen from him yet, what's up with you pup?’ I looked at him with a playful smile, ‘he doesn't like you does he.’ he didn't smile, he was looking at me with an intensity that made me fidget, it was as if he was honestly captivated and trying to see something else within me.

‘You have a puppy.’ he said gently. His voice made goosebumps pop up all over my skin. I was instantly glad to be holding my arms across my chest as I could feel my n*****s prickling, f**k this guy was sexy.

‘Yeah.’ I said, trying to bring myself back to the present. As I did my smile instantly vanished. I wished I could cover it up better, but I knew he could see that I was totally overwhelmed,

‘How long have you had him?’ he asked, looking at me with intent focus, as if he was fascinated to just hear what I had to say.

‘Um…about 3 hours.’ I whimpered, hating that it sounded like I was about to cry.

‘Well, he likes you if that helps.’ he said, leaning towards the little dog who began barking his cute little frantic puppy yelps.

‘What?’

‘He likes you.’ he repeated, ‘ he’s trying to protect you.’

‘You know something about dogs?’ I asked, hope (or was it desperation)bloomed in my chest. A twisted smile appeared on his face.

‘A little.’

‘Well, what do I do?’ I asked desperately,

‘Get a cat?’ he suggested with a laugh. I couldn't help laughing in return, but even so i was vaguely aware of how much influence his laugh had on me. I mean, if I was honest he was f*****g sexy as hell.

‘What?’ I asked as his smile had abruptly stopped, and he was looking at me in a bizarre way that I couldn't put my finger on. He sighed with a gentle smile and reached for the puppy. I passed him over, the puppy squirmed in his grasp, yapping furiously, twisting, trying to bite his hands. Dean didn't look bothered by this, he just held him in both his hands and held him at arm's length looking him flat in the eye. The little puppy met his eyes and instantly whimpered, his tail curling up between his legs.

‘What's his name ?’ he asked calmly,

‘I haven't thought of one yet. In the litter he was in he was called blue,’

‘The eyes.’ I couldn't help but smile as we had the exact same thought,

‘No, his collar.’

‘Oh … ok.’ he said looking at me. My eyes instantly locked on the floor. I couldn't help it, there was something in his gaze, as if he was looking deeper than a normal glance. As if everything I was saying was a lot deeper than I had intended.

‘There we go.’ he said, handing the puppy back to me.

‘Thanks.’ I said, taking him back. The little pup instantly burrowed into my arms, hiding his head in the crook of my arm. I smiled as I gently scratched his head.

‘So what made you get a puppy? You don't seem exactly prepared.’

‘I know.’ I wined, ‘I haven't got a clue what to f*****g do.’

‘So why get one?’

‘I didn't norma did.’ I said scratching his head gently as the puppy continued to cry gently into my arms.

‘Your grandmother got you a puppy.’ he said again with that annoying look suggesting that he was seeing something much deeper in my answer, 'did she say why?’ I shrugged ,

‘She said I needed one,’ I saw a smile creep onto his face,

‘Ah.’ he said slowly, comprehension seeming to dawn on him, ‘I see.’

‘I don't know why.’ I said thoughtfully, still scratching the pup's head, 'I’m not exactly in a position where I can commit to a dog. I don't know. Maybe that's why she got him for me.

‘Why what's wrong with you?’ he asked, looking at me with a gentle interest. I laughed,

‘You clearly don't know me.’

‘I know you,’ he said softly with a dreamy sort of look on his face. I just ignored his remark, denying that comment would be pointless.

‘I mean for a start, my job was working as a f*****g waitress for the last 3 years, and yet I was still f*****g s**t at it, but worse I have no idea of anything I want to do more. The pay just about covers rent on my crappy studio apartment that is tiny and in a shitty part of town and, of course I'm talking like I still have any of these things. I had to come take care of Norma. three f*****g years not a single sick day said I needed to take care of my sick grandmother for a few weeks, and they f*****g sacked me, so everything I own is shoved in my car, that's got a f*****g broken head gasket that I am trying to ignore as its getting louder every second and I cannot afford to replace it.’ I noticed his posture change as he leaned slightly against the shelves with a captivated look on his face as though he wanted nothing more than to simply listen to me talk. I looked away and just concentrated on the wall behind him. I mean I'm human and damn he is a f*****g gorgeous and the way he was looking at me made heat flood my cheeks. I sighed, ‘maybe she could of tried a hamster or something first.’

‘He already loves you, and he's a good pup and I personally never met anyone as loving and compassionate and stubborn as you. You're not the first person to be confused as to where you want to go. That's just irrelevant. You’ll be a great pup mum.’

‘You have a lot more confidence in me than I do.’ I said softly. He smiled, f**k if that simple smile didn't make my panties grow wet.

‘I know you.’ he said. I smiled, but hung my head shaking it gently, dismissing the simple warm glowing feeling inside me, stupid, stupid thought. I knew this kind of guy, he knew what he was doing, and I was not going to fall for that. I'm not a stupid bimbo. I lifted my eyes and looked at him flatly,

‘Your still sticking with that story are you?’

‘Look, this is not exactly something I am happy about. I wish it was not our story as I fell completely in love with you. I know we were young but the fact that you have completely forgotten me really hurts my fragile ego.’

"Look, that's really nice.’ I muttered awkwardly, feeling my cheeks burn, ‘ but I’m ….um not your type of girl.’

‘Every girl is my type.’ he said casually as he flashed me a smile. He had a confident look in his eye; he was sure the smile would work.

‘Exactly the reason I know I'm not for you.’

‘If you don't remember me, then you don't know that,’ he said taking a step forward.

‘I… i.um’ I stammered, unable to stop myself from taking an instinctive step back. ‘I’m …gay.’ he snorted with laughter,

‘No your not.’ I found myself actually offended. I mean this realization had been hard won and had required hours of thought, introspection and second guessing myself, and now he was completely disregarding my identification of myself. I knew I liked girls, although with his smile I was starting to question myself. I shook my head slightly trying to shake off this intrusive thought as if it was some sort of annoying fly.

‘Yes I am.’ I said, aiming for a defiant tone, but I was painfully aware that I actually sounded like a whiny child, ‘ I had a girlfriend and everything.’

‘Had ... .well I guess I can deal with that.’

‘What?’

He shrugged with that damn sexy smile back again, ‘well there's not much of a sexier thought than a lesbian fling, I'm not going to lie though it does make me a little bit jealous.’

‘Jealous?’

I'm naturally a very possessive sort. I think a girls better. I’m sorry honey, but the thought of you being with another guy actually makes me feel sick.’

‘Me too.’ I mumbled,

'Really?’ he said thoughtfully, his head on one side looking at me thoughtfully. I felt a bit rattled that he had heard me to be honest.

‘I just…the idea it's just … the thought of dating, f*****g a guy, it just makes me feel I don't know wrong.’ I hadn't actually intended to say anything, I just found the words tumbling out of me, unable to stop them. I was a bit shocked to see Dean’s smug smile. He walked past me and gave a tiny jump, sitting on the counter casually. I frowned at him as the puppy wriggled around in my arms. I sighed and put him down on the floor, he yipped and began attacking my shoelaces. ‘Maybe that's just my way of trying to make me feel better or something… I mean the thought of dating just seems wrong, but maybe it's just because I'm incapable of actually figuring out how to maintain a relationship.’

‘So have you ever had a boyfriend?’

‘What other than you do you mean?’ I said playfully. He gave me a look that instantly made me regret my comment, as I could definitely read his mind in that instant, and it made me blush. ‘I… I don't know. I mean how do you define no.’ I switched my answer mid-sentence. I don't know why but it was honest.

‘So maybe it's not that you are hopeless at it but just that you have been trying with the wrong person.’

‘No, I think I'm just annoying.’ I said, bending down to push the puppy away from my trainers ‘blue off.’ he gave me a placid smile,

‘To me you're the cutest thing on this earth.’ I frowned,

‘You don't know me.’ he sighed,

‘I don't want to argue about this again.’ he said calmly, ‘so how about this Instead, how about you go on a date with me.’ I laughed, he didn't.

‘Look, I'm not your type of girl.’

‘Can I be the judge of that?’

‘Why would you want to your lets face it, gorgeous and I'm just f****d up.’ he smiled sadly,

‘Because I'm broken when you're not here, and I made you love me once so I have to believe I can make it happen again.’

‘Dean.’ he held up his hand to stop me.

‘Just one date.’ he said gently, ‘please.’ I couldn't answer. The please that the soft little plea just destroyed me, so I mutely nodded. A tiny pure smile appeared on his face. ‘You know I don't usually ask, I just go on signs but …since it's you… can i kiss you?’

‘What…now?’ he nodded’ well i … um …i …. I guess.’ I suddenly noticed that while I was dithering his hands had been inching around my waist as I stuttered a vague sort of agreement, he gripped my waist and yanked me firmly to him and I found myself pulled into his hard muscular chest nestled between his open legs. I could feel his rock hard c**k pressed into my waist. Due to sitting on the counter, his body loomed over my small frame, his 2 hands almost completely encircling my waist. His dark eyes were locked on me intently. He leaned over slowly and gently pressed his lips to mine. His lips were warm and soft but his kiss was so gentle, barely more than air. In contrast to his rough pulling of me to him, I had expected a rough, passionate kiss hair pulling and all that i moaned at the thought as I felt my panties instantly grow wet, iI closed my eyes giving a tiny purr leaning over to press my lips to his as Dean suddenly pulled his lips from mine. I opened my eyes, shocked and suddenly hurt by his sudden distance.

‘I’ll see you at 7.’ he said throatily. I nodded, unable to trust myself to speak, he smiled and gently stroked my nose with a fingertip and jumped down from the counter and strode out of the shop, leaving me stood my mind whirling while my body looked like it had been stuffed.