Spark And Flame by K. Sterling Read Free Book Online Page A

head.
    “Go away and never come back or I’ll have you arrested,” he stated and she glared up at him.
    “You’re just awful as they say you are,” she grumbled and Lane shrugged.
    “Great. Tell all of your friends,” he said as he waved toward her car. “I’m not playing around with you monsters. We’ll press charges,” he promised and heard her curse rapidly under her breath as she jogged to her car. Lane waited until it disappeared around the corner before he turned back to the house.
    “What did she want?” Aiden asked as Lane shut the door. He locked it silently and shook his head as he walked into the living room.
    “She was confused and I pointed her in the right direction,” he said as he lifted Aiden’s legs and sat on the sofa.
    “Hmmm…” Aiden hummed distractedly as he reached for the remote. “Shepherd peed by the dinner table,” he mumbled as he scrolled through the documentaries and Lane exhaled loudly as he lifted Aiden’s legs and stood.
    “You’re on your own tomorrow,” Lane warned as he walked into the kitchen. The thought made him a little uncomfortable and his eyes went to the front door before they jumped to Shepherd. He finally wore himself out and was passed out on his back with his paws folded limply against his chest. Lane suddenly wished he was larger, older and possibly a more protective breed.

Chapter 11
     
    “No, no, no, no, no!” Aiden cried as he ran across the living room and grabbed Shepherd as he squatted. “For the love of whatever it is dogs hold holy, please potty outside!” He begged as he pushed the back door open and set Shepherd on the grass. “It can’t even be mathematically possible for you to have anymore liquid in your body. And how many times do you need to shit in one day?” He asked in disbelief as he looked back toward the puddle by the window. “Is there any possibility you could be trained to clean up after yourself?” He muttered as he picked the puppy up and stalked back to the house. “Bed,” Aiden said firmly as he set Shepherd in his bed.
    He cursed under his breath as he tugged on the gloves and grabbed a gallon sized ziploc bag, paper towels and the disinfecting spray. He quickly mopped up the puddle and sealed the paper towels in the bag then dropped it in the trash. He washed his gloved hands and was drying them when Lane stepped through the door.
    “I am so glad you’re home!” Aiden said as he rushed at Lane. He threw his arms around Lane’s neck and hugged him tight. Lane’s head swung around to make sure there was nothing on the gloves before he turned back to Aiden.
    “Did we have a good day?” He asked and Aiden could feel his lip tremble. He had a miserable day but he was determined to be as positive as he could for Lane’s sake.
    “It was acceptable,” he said as he stepped back. He pressed his hands downward and exhaled slowly, attempting to gather his nerves and appear calm. “I am confident I can endure this every day,” Aiden said and offered Lane a large smile. Lane’s head pulled back and he cringed. The smile might have been too much.
    “Acceptable?” Lane asked as Shepherd romped in his direction. Aiden nodded as Lane bent and swatted at the puppy playfully until he rolled onto his back. His tail wagged quickly and Aiden breathed deeply as relief loosened the muscles in his shoulders and neck that had been twisted tight all day. “Did you have an acceptable day?” Lane baby-talked at the dog as he rubbed his stomach and Aiden felt a ridiculous amount of joy as he pulled off his gloves for the last time. Until Lane went back to work.
    “He will eventually learn to use the bathroom outside, right?” Aiden asked as he washed his hands for good measure.
    “Eventually,” Lane murmured as his arms closed around Aiden. “The length of time it takes to potty train varies from dog to dog. It could be a few weeks or several months,” he warned as his lips traced the curve of Aiden’s