Love on the Rocks by Elle James Read Free Book Online Page A

done that much for her if he didn’t love her.”
    “It doesn’t matter anymore.” Frank nodded toward the window. “What matters is that you give yourself a chance to find love. Speaking of chances, Decker just left.”
    Roxi leaned over to look through the window into the bar. Decker’s seat was empty. Otis padded into the kitchen and looked up at her.
    “Did he leave you?” she asked and bent to pat the dog’s head.
    “That’s all the supplies. I’ll cover the bar if you want to take a break,” Frank offered.
    Roxi fought the desire to run out the door after Decker. She didn’t want to appear too anxious to see him again. All she’d agreed to was a walk with Decker and Otis at three o’clock.
    She glanced at the clock on the wall. She had fifteen minutes.
    Her heart fluttered and she glanced down at the old jeans and T-shirt she’d thrown on that morning when she’d been too sleepy to think straight.
    “If you’re sure…” she said, turning toward the exit, even as she spoke.
    Frank chuckled. “Go”
    Roxi walked out the back door. As soon as it shut behind her, she raced up the stairs and into her apartment above. She stripped out of the jeans and T-shirt, ran a brush through the knots in her hair and pulled it back in a messy bun that wouldn’t last two minutes in the salty breeze. Then she stood in front of her closet, biting her lip.
    Did she wear shorts? No, the wind had a bite to it today, though she knew her legs were one of her best features. She could wear the shorts and a long-sleeved, loose shirt. Then she spied the powder blue sundress she’d worn to a friend’s wedding on the beach. With five minutes to get to the agreed upon location, she didn’t have time to waste. She slipped the dress over her head and let it slide down over her body, the fabric loose and light. The matching cardigan would cover her arms and keep her from getting too cold. One last glance in the mirror and she hurried down the stairs, barefoot. Walking on the beach was best done without shoes. Otis followed behind her and bounded ahead, kicking up sand as he raced toward the pier.
    Her heart thudding against her ribs, Roxi found herself skipping along after Otis. When she realized she was practically running, she slowed to a sedate walk, reining in the rising excitement. Where was he? All she could make out ahead was the tall, spindly poles of the pier and Otis barreling toward them.
    Then movement on the sand before the pier made her heart stutter. Otis was attacking the figure, and seemed to have him pinned to the ground.
    Roxi ran toward them, her heart caught in her throat, her muscles and lungs burning. Her dog had been professionally trained to protect her. She’d seen him at the training center where she and Frank purchased him, viciously attacking upon command. “Otis! Down, boy!”
    As she neared the dog and the man, she realized they were wrestling in the sand. Otis alternated between pretending to tear at Decker’s arm and licking the man’s face, his tail wagging like a puppy with a new friend.
    Roxi stopped running and bent over, sucking air into her lungs. “Damn dog,” she muttered when she could breathe again.
    Decker rolled to his feet and brushed sand from his shirt, hair and shorts. “I think Otis and I have bonded.”
    Her lips twisted into a wry smile. “Some guard dog he turned out to be.”
    “I’m sure he’d be perfectly ferocious if he felt you were threatened.” As if to prove Decker wrong, Otis rolled over in the sand for Decker to rub his belly.
    “Yeah, ferocious.” Roxi clicked her tongue. “Come on Rambo, let’s go for that walk.”
    “Otis.” Decker winked. “His name is Otis.”
    The dog rolled to his feet and shook sand all over them, before running beneath the pier and out the other side.
    Roxi and Decker fell in step, walking in silence. They passed beneath the shadowy pier and back out into the sunshine.
    Just two normal people having a friendly walk along