Reyah seemed to get hot and bothered when I talked about her breast.

Maybe she does like me? Maybe I should flirt with her more?

I walked out when Libby was walking in with a bunch of cookies. I walked over to help her.

"Thanks again for bringing all of these cookies Libby."

"Oh, honey your welcome! I love having something to wake up for." She said patting my face.

I looked over at Reyah and she was smiling which melted my heart.

"I know you guys have been putting bows on the dogs but I have these maybe you can use since it's Christmas?" Libby said handing me Santa hats.

"Oh, they are great! Maybe we can wear them as well." I said putting one on my head.

"There you go Madden go for it." She smiled.

I walked over to Reyah and stood in front of her and leaned in putting one on her head.

Once putting it on I moved my hands down her face only my fingertips brushing her skin and I could see the goosebumps popping up.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her and she was smiling back at me and at that moment it didn't even feel like anyone else was around.

Someone called my name and that's the only reason I snapped out of it.

I turned around and my dad was smiling at me. "Son I brought some dog food where do you want it?"

"Take it around back and get Pat to unload it for you. Thanks, dad!"

Around lunchtime, I went to my office to sit for a few minutes. I'm trying to focus on what's going on but all I can think about is Reyah.

I looked up and she walked in the door and closed it walking over taking a seat beside me.

"I needed to sit down a minute. Are you ok Madden?"

"Yeah, I'm ok just tired and have a cramp in my neck."

She stood up and walked behind me. "Where at? Maybe I can help."

When her hands touched my neck my heart fluttered and cold chills made my hairs pop up.

I put my hand around the back to show her where and she begins to massage the area.

I close my eyes and try to not get excited downstairs while her hands are on the back of my neck.

"How's does that feel?" She asked as her breath hit the back of my neck.

"Great. I guess I'm really stressed."

"You shouldn't be because we have all this under control." She said digging deeper into my neck.

There was a knock at the door and when it opens it was my mom. "Oh, sorry guys everything ok in here?"

"Yeah, mom just my neck hurting."

"I'm trying to loosen him up." Reyah laughed.

"Well, I just wanted to give you an update on the adoptions. Three more cats and five more dogs so far."

"That's great mom! Plenty more to go."

She smiled walking out of the room closing the door.

"Thanks, Reyah it's feeling some better," I said rolling my shoulders.

She lightly squeezed my neck before sitting down beside me. "How about a cookie? I'm a little hungry."

"Yeah give me a Santa." I smiled.

We toasted our Santa's and bit the head off and then eat another one before we headed back out into the thick of the crowd and mingle.

I saw this guy walk in and his eyes zeroed in on Reyah right away and he walked over to her.

I saw her half-smile at him and try to walk away so I figured I should walk over.

"Hey, Reyah can I get your help on something?"

"Sure I'm coming!" She said moving away from the guy quickly.

Once we walked down the hallway toward the dogs I stop her. "I really didn't need anything I just saw the look on your face when that guy walked up to you."

"Thank you that's the lunch guy Micah I told you about." She said rolling her eyes.

"Ohhh the guy who put his penis on your leg?"

"Yeah, the same one."

"Well stay by me and I'll make sure he leaves you alone." I smiled.

We walked back out front and as soon as he saw her he walked over. "Reyah can I speak to you?"

"I'm a little busy Micah what can I help you with?"

"Did you come to adopt a dog?" I asked.

"No, I come to talk to Reyah." He said.

"Well, we are a little busy here call her later," I said.

"I tried to text her and she didn't answer."

"I've been busy Micah."

"Why are you here? You don't work here do you?"

"I do now and I'm busy." She said walking away.

"Why are you butting in my business man?" Micah asked.

"Reyah is here to work not find a love connection and this is my animal shelter so that makes it my business," I said walking off.

That guy is a prick and no wonder Reyah doesn't like him.

I walked over to her shaking my head. "He wanted to know why I was butting in his business."

"He didn't?" She asked.

"Yah I told him it was my business because this is my shelter. Stupid prick."

"Thanks for taking up for me Madden I appreciate it." She smiles.

"If you want to hang out back here until he leaves I am ok with that or we can go out front and I can protect you," I said wiggling my eyebrows.

"And just how would you protect me?" She smiles.

"Wrap my arm around your neck for starters."

"So that's going to keep Micah away?"

"I mean I could nuzzle your face too." I smiled.

"That might work Madden." She smiled.

I wrapped my arm around her neck as we walked back out into the main area. I leaned into her ear and whispered that he was watching.