“I’ve had to wait hours and hours,” he said between kisses. “I had to keep my hands to myself in front of our friends. I can’t wait another minute.”

“Then let’s go put you out of your misery.”

They met at the front of his truck for another heated kiss. Luke slid his hands down her back and shocked her when he suddenly lifted her and hooked her legs around his hips.

“Nice move,” she said, linking her arms around his neck.

“You like that?”

“Uh-huh.” As he walked them to the door, their lips met and melted, tongues teased and enticed.

“You’re making my legs weak,” he said, pressing her against the door. His hands slid up her bare legs, under her skirt to cup her ass.

“Luke,” she gasped, tightening her arms around his neck.

Through her shirt, he rolled her nipple between his teeth and pushed his erection against her core.

“Now,” she said as he fumbled with the door. It opened abruptly and sent them sprawling into the house.

“Shit,” Luke said, laughing as he managed to land them awkwardly on the sofa. “That was graceful.”

“And it started so well.”

“It’ll end even better.”

She clutched handfuls of his hair and brought his mouth down to hers. “Promises, promises.”

A low-pitched moan stopped them cold.

“What was that?” she asked. “Where’s Buddy?” She’d been so absorbed in Luke, she’d failed to notice Buddy hadn’t met them at the door. “Buddy?” Sydney disentangled herself from Luke and hurried down the hallway to the bedroom where she found the dog’s hind legs sticking out from under the bed. “Buddy? What’s wrong? Luke!” She reached under the bed to stroke the dog’s body, and he let out another moan. “What’s wrong with him?”

“I’ll call Janey.” Luke rushed from the room.

Sydney swallowed the hot ball of panic that lodged in her throat. “Please God,” she whispered as she ran her hand gently over the dog’s soft coat. “Please don’t take Buddy, too. Please.”

Luke returned a minute later. “She wants us to bring him to the vet clinic. I’ll carry him to the truck. Help me get him out of there.”

They tried to be gentle but Buddy’s discomfort was amplified by their efforts to get him out from under the bed.

Tears burned her eyes as she spoke softly to Buddy, trying to settle him.

Buddy growled and snapped at Luke, just missing his hand.

“It’s okay, boy,” Luke said as he lifted Buddy as carefully as he could. “I know it hurts.”

Stuck under a tidal wave of fear, Sydney couldn’t seem to move.

“Syd.” Luke’s firm tone snapped her out of the daze she’d slipped into. “Go to the truck. I’ll bring him out. Hurry, honey.”