The Wrong Man by Lane Hayes Read Free Book Online Page A

petted his dog, murmuring softly to him. I couldn’t help the stupid grin on my face as I watched them. It was really fucking cute. Maybe I should get a dog.
    “Hi there. Good morning. I can’t tell you how sorry I am, and really gratef—”
    “No worries. Come on in. I’ll grab Mack’s leash.”
    I headed down the short hallway toward the kitchen, ultra-aware of the man and dog behind me. I hadn’t taken a good look at Jake yet. I was almost afraid to do more than hand the leash over and show him to the door. Having an ex in my personal space was verboten. A big no-no. As the early morning cobwebs started to clear, an instinctive unease settled over me.
    Mack went straight to the water bowl in the kitchen and drank thirstily. I raised a brow at Jake, who chuckled at his dog’s manners. I shouldn’t have looked at him. Fuck, he was handsome. His thick hair was disheveled, as though he’d rolled out of bed. He didn’t look sloppy though; he looked delicious. He was wearing a snug black T-shirt and a pair of khaki cargo shorts. Not a look that usually caught my attention. However, it worked for him. Jake was a picture of rugged sexiness. I gulped.
    “I brought a couple of breakfast rolls. I meant to stop for coffee too, but I was running out of time. I didn’t want to be late and—”
    “Thank you. I—” I bit the inside of my cheek hard but made myself continue. It was only polite. “I can make coffee. I’m not sure if I have all the sugar you need, but I certainly have coffee.”
    “Ha-ha. Actually, I don’t drink much coffee.”
    Jake guffawed at my incredulous expression, his beautiful smile catapulting him into another realm of hotness.
    “I saw you drink that nasty concoction of sugar and milk with a drop of java to spice things up. Don’t tell me—”
    “I know.” He looked a little sheepish. “Um, I drink tea. If you have any, that is.”
    We stared at one another for a quiet moment.
    “Of course. Green or black?”
    “Green, please. Hey, I also brought Mack’s breakfast. He needs to eat regularly. Do you mind if I feed him? I don’t mean to impose or overstay the welcome bu—”
    “Don’t be silly. I wouldn’t begrudge Mack his breakfast. Do you need a bowl?”
    “No. I brought his bowl and his insulin shot. He’s diabetic and—”
    “Liz mentioned that yesterday.” I turned my back to him to put water in the teakettle and start coffee for myself.
    “Yeah. He’s fine, but eating regularly and getting lots of water along with his shots of insulin are vital. Right, buddy?” Jake pulled a silver bowl from a grocery bag and dumped the foul-smelling dog food into it before placing it on the kitchen floor next to the water.
    I leaned against the tile counter and watched him prepare a shot. My groggy state was keeping the surreal quality of having Jake and his dog in my home at bay. On a normal day, I’d be in the shower thinking about what to wear to work. I never made coffee or breakfast at home if I didn’t have someone to cook for, so I rarely spent much time in my kitchen before I left for the store.
    The kettle whistled and shook me from my reverie. I set two cups on the counter and poured hot water over a green-leaf tea bag and coffee in the other. I winked as I set the tea in front of Jake with a sugar bowl and a carton of milk. He chuckled softly and thanked me before tending to Mack.
    “Does that hurt him? The shot?” I winced at the thought of a needle poking skin.
    “No. He’s used to it now. Mind if I let him outside to do his thing? Backyard or front?”
    “Oh, right. Um, back is fine.” I pointed to the door next to the kitchen table leading to the backyard.
    Jake ushered Mack outside. I listened to him speaking softly to his dog about the weather and the birds chirping in the overhead trees. I sighed and looked at my watch. I had plenty of time before I had to be at the store, but I wasn’t sure it was wise to spend my morning hanging out with my ex and his