He shrugged. “Goof, huh? I guess that shoe fits. But a gluttonous amount of sex and cuddling can do that to you. Trust me; I learned it in vet school.”

Her eyes went wide, and she shot a look across the pen toward the play area where Tess was corralling the spazzy Labs. She dropped her voice, but the smile didn’t leave her eyes. “I really don’t want everyone here knowing I’m having a gluttonous amount of sex with their new vet, if we can help it. And you didn’t really learn that in vet school, did you?”

“No,” he said, chuckling. “The opposite actually. You’ve heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, right?”

“Yeah, back in college.”

“I guess it’s the curse of self-actualization, but human beings tend to rule the roost when it comes to gluttony. Animals hardly ever obsess when it comes to reproduction, though I did have a woman come in with a Yorkshire terrier this week who wouldn’t stop humping one of her stuffed toys.”

Olivia shook her head, laughing. “Now that’s a visual I’ll have a hard time getting out of my head. What did you tell her to do?”

“I told her to get rid of the toy, first off. Secondly, she’s upping the dog’s exercise regimen to tire her out. We’re looking at some diet changes too.”

Olivia pointed a finger his way. “Is this your way of telling me that you’re suggesting we up our exercise routines?”

“Ah, that’s a hard no. I can’t say I’ve ever been as happy with the status quo as I am right now.”

A second light blush colored Olivia’s cheeks as she stepped in for a hug. “Me too, Gabe Wentworth.”

Gabe locked his hands around her hips and pulled her against him, smashing her small treat pouch between them. “God, you smell good. Have I told you that?”

Her lips brushed against his neck. “Five or six times a day maybe. But thank you.”

Suddenly, two big paws plopped on Gabe’s arm and shoulder, and Morgan was staring him down, his look more curious than threatening.

“In case you were wondering if we attract dogs with jealous streaks… Down, boy.” To encourage him, Gabe stepped to the side. When all four paws were on the ground again, Gabe pulled a treat from his pocket and gave it to Morgan along with a hearty pat on the shoulder. “Good boy.”

From down in the play area, Tess could be heard yelling their way over the barks of the now-leashed Labs she was cajoling out of the play yard. “Hey, guys, I just spotted the news crew about to pull in.”