Spencer’s entire body went still. He looked like a man who’d been struck by lightning—and who wasn’t sure he enjoyed the experience.

“You mean that,” he said, no hint of a question in his voice. “You’re being serious.”

She couldn’t help laughing a little. A reassuring hug would have been a more appropriate response—no man looked as though he needed one more—but that wasn’t the nature of their relationship.

Yet.

“Of course I’m serious. I know you think you’re the expert when it comes to judging people, but believe me, I’ve had plenty of practice. When it comes to dogs and men, I know what I like.”

At the mention of dogs, Spencer once again glanced over to the sliding glass door. Caesar was still sitting with the patience and calm of a well-trained animal, but Wheezy had discovered some kind of residue on the glass and was licking it in slow, repetitive circles.

Spencer was forced into a chuckle. “Why do I get the feeling that wasn’t a compliment?”

She had the answer ready—and even more importantly, she meant it.

“Because you haven’t seen the magic inside that animal,” she said. She waited until he looked back at her, his expression sharp, before adding, “But don’t worry, I have. Other people might not think he’s worth the effort, but I know better.”

From the way he swallowed, it was obvious he knew exactly what she meant: that the dog’s potential was nothing compared to his own. Spencer was just as recalcitrant as Wheezy and twice as frustrating, but as her initial instincts had proven, there was a lot more lurking underneath that pair of dark, brooding eyes.

Her instincts also warned her that now was a good time to make her exit. With any luck, Spencer would be so busy digesting this new information that he’d fail to realize that although he’d readily answered her question about his single state, she hadn’t dared to touch his.

“Tell your brother I decided to finish the session at home, will you?” she said. “Now that I have access to your voice anytime I want, nothing can stop me.”

Since Spencer was still standing there looking as though he’d been hit with a lightning bolt, she braved a step forward. Crossing the line, she lifted a hand to his cheek. His skin was surprisingly soft, and she was startled enough by the feel of it—and of him—that she allowed her thumb to stray to his lips. The scent of her desire still clung to her fingertips, but that didn’t stop him from touching his tongue to her skin. Instead, it seemed to encourage him, and he only stopped himself from taking her thumb all the way into his mouth by forcing a deep, shuddering breath.