Chapter Text
"Mother fucker." The tall man curses as he shoves his way through the door to my shop. The rain water turns to beads and rolls down his umbrella as he aggressively moves it around. Ripping off the hood to his black coat, he watches as his black and brown doberman walks in through the door to stand next to him. It shakes its whole body and the rain splatters all over the walls and already wet floor. His boots stomp on the rug, as he assumedly tries to dry those off as well.
"The rain is that bad?" I cease my tapping on the keyboard to glance out the window, as I speak — surely enough we're in the midst of a downpour. The stranger grunts in response. Then finally lifts his gaze to meet mine.
His onyx eyes are filled with irritation, and the sharp angles of his face are set in what could very well be a permanent frown. Despite that, he's really fucking attractive.
"Sgaeyl hates the rain." Droplets of water shake loose as the man combs through his hair and mutters.
"Is it your first time here?" I make my way over to where he still remains by the front door, pausing to stand in front of him. "I've never seen you here before." His eyes flit around the shop as if taking it in.
"I've heard good things about this place, so I booked an appointment for—" His onyx eyes catch on the black velvet sling I wear over my shoulder. "What the fuck is that?" Curses leak from his mouth.
I snort back a laugh, as my tiny grey and white Italian Greyhound peeks his sleepy head out of the comfort of his sling. His pink tongue peeks out the side of his mouth — the perfect portrait of elegance.
"This is Rotini."
"That thing is—" Pausing his sentence, his brow furrows. "That's not a fucking kind of pasta."
The man's gaze returns to me, raking his eyes up and down my body. "I booked an appointment for Sgaeyl. It's under Riorson." His tongue darts out over his bottom lip, rubs his chin then flashes me a smirk. "Xaden Riorson."
I find myself becoming extremely aware of my pale, chubby stature next to this tall beautiful bronze man. What the fuck was that look for?
"Welcome to Basgiath Boutique. I'm Jessica, the owner and head animal trainer." Motioning to the other side of the room, he follows and we walk towards the register together. "My coworker Violet is the one who does grooming. She'll be out shortly."
"Is that the shop dog?" Xaden asks with a teasing smirk.
"Oh no, this is the shop nuisance." Smiling shyly, I point to a giant Saint Bernard who lays under the register in the enclosed area. "That's the one of the shop dogs, Tairn. He's Violet's dog."
The Saint Bernard groggily opens his eyes at his name, then glances around the shop and huffs. As he's closing his eyes to return to his nap, he abruptly notices the Doberman on the other side of the gate. Tairn's thick tail thumps against the floor rapidly. Then he rises and stretches lazily.
Sgaeyl's docked tail wags wildly; evening going so far as to play bow at him.
Xaden's brow furrows, revealing prominent scar on his left eyebrow, which draws my attention to them.
"She's not usually a dog social kinda dog." He roughly pets his pup on her head as he mumbles.
"That's okay. There's a reason why there's gates everywhere. We want everyone, especially the dogs, to feel comfortable." I smile, gesturing towards his Doberman. "And her body language indicates she's feeling pretty confident around him."
"Huh." I can only get one word out of him before the door to the grooming area busts opens. My coworker Violet and her Golden Retriever burst through the door. The golden retriever puppy, no older than six months, nearly rips my five foot nothing employee's arm out of its socket.
"Careful, Vi, there's another dog here." I tell her. Nodding affirmatively, she regains her footing and directly sweeps Andarna into another enclosed area. She wipes her hands on her apron — then approaches us at the register.
"Is this Sgaeyl?" Violet asks raising her brow. Xaden nod, giving Vi the leash. She calmly greets the Doberman who is still excitedly eying Tairn. "I'm Violet. I'm the lead groomer here." Extending her hand as she speaks. Her blue-green eyes flick from me to him before she winks at me and wanders into the back with the Doberman.
Xaden rolls up the sleeve of his jacket and leans against the counter. The action reveals a large black tattoo made of intricate line work that seems to swirl up his left arm. His arms are so fucking defined I want to —
Xaden turns to face me — definitely catching me internally drooling over his arms. He dons a cocky smirk but remains silent.
"She's in good hands." I assure him, attempting to sweep my actions under the rug. He raises his scarred brow at me.
"You don't do the grooming?" I shake my head.
"I have a condition that makes it impossible. I'd probably feel like I'm dying then faint." He huffs a quiet laugh. I catch myself beginning to wonder if I made things awkward when Rotini pokes his head out of my sling again.
"What the fuck is that?" Xaden questions a second time. I stroke my dogs head gently.
"He's an Italian Greyhound."
"Are you sure that's a breed of dog?" He wears a inquisitive look on his face as he inquires again. Smiling, I walk to the other side of the counter.
"I promise he's a dog. He's just a little odd looking." My face flushes as I smile shyly. "You can say hi." Xaden's onyx eyes focus on Rotini and I fall into them — noticing little gold flecks within the irises.
Subconsciously, I go to pet Rotini. Our hands touch, and Xaden accidentally caresses me instead of the dog. We both jolt backwards at the same time.
"Sorry." We apologize in unison. Xaden straightens his posture.
"Is that your only dog?" He emphasizes the word dog with a cocky grin.
"No, I also have a Labrador. He wasn't feeling very well today so he got the day off." Xaden reaches out to pet Rotini again and my dog leans into his touch the same way I find myself wanting to. I reach for my water bottle and take a long sip.
"What's your lab's name? Farfelle?" I sputter everywhere — choking on the water and trying to hold back my laughter. Xaden's brows furrow again.
"What?" He asks as when regain my breath.
"That is exactly what my Labrador's name is." The man snorts and its the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.
"Feel free to look around while you wait." I offer before hesitantly telling him. "You can also leave and come back. It'll only be about an hour max."
I kind of want him to stay…?
"Want to show me around?" Xaden winks at me.
"The store is only, like, 800 square feet." I try to put my professional store owner persona on. He tilts his head.
"So? You can still show me around."