Going All the Way Read Online Free Page A

eyes, head thrown back in a moan. Oh, yeah. She was a hard one to forget. But Celeste didn’t need to know about that.
    “A coworker you barely know. You’re a consultant hired to come in and offer temporary help to companies in need. That’s hardly a life for making long-term connections.”
    Annoyance tightened his chest. “I’m happy with my life the way it is.”
    “No, you’re not. You just think you are. You’re lonely, which is why you need Riley.” She dropped down and gave Riley a big hug and kiss. “I’m going to miss you, boy. You take care of my big brother. Get him outside once in a while.”
    “Are you sure about this?” he asked, because he wasn’t. What did he know about dogs? But brothers were supposed to take care of their sisters. Of course he’d do it. He’d do anything for her.
    She sighed. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a huge thing to ask but I—” She sniffed, and it took him a minute to realize she was holding back tears. “Ryan, if you can’t take him, I’ll have to give him up, and I’ve had him since he was a puppy. He wouldn’t understand, and I’d miss him so much—”
    He stepped over and squeezed her shoulder. “Hey, hey, of course I’ll do it. I’ll figure something out. You know I will.”
    “Oh, thank you.” She stood up and hugged him. “I love you. Now Riley expects breakfast at eight and dinner at six. I know you’re not good with time, so set your alarm.”
    “Can’t I just fill a huge bowl and leave it out all day?”
    She gave him a look that said exactly what she thought of that idea. “He’d eat himself sick. You can do this, Ryan. Take care of yourself and my baby.”
    He sighed and hugged her back. “Tell Renaldo I hope that arm heals soon.”
    “I will. It better, baseball is his life.”
    Ryan squeezed her tight. “You should be his life.”
    She grinned. “I’m working on it. Thanks for the pizza! Can I take some for the road?”
    “Yeah, sure.” He loaded a plate for her. She grabbed it and hugged him. Riley whined as she turned and blew through the door, big sunglasses back on her face, designer tote swinging from her arm.
    The dog ran after her, jumped up and hit the screen door, his paw catching the latch. The next thing Ryan knew, he was out the door, running after Celeste as she drove away.
    “Riley!” Ryan yelled. “Come back here.”
    Celeste wasn’t even down the street and he’d already lost her dog. He ran back into the house, grabbed the leash lying on the table, and tore out the door after him.
    …
    Carrie pulled into the driveway of her duplex, her backseat full of art supplies. She’d spent all afternoon walking the aisles of her favorite art stores, buying whatever pulled at her creative heartstrings. She was loaded up with canvases and oils and watercolor crayons. She couldn’t wait to get started. First things first—she’d have to set up her easel and organize her paints and brushes. It had been so long since she pushed work aside and did something just for herself, and it was about time.
    As she turned off the car, a giant dog ran down the sidewalk in front of her house, long reddish-brown fur glinting copper in the sunlight. She watched it go by as a man came tearing out the front door of the duplex beside hers, chasing after him.
    New neighbors, apparently. Mrs. Donaldson had been Stu’s tenant for years. Had something happened to the older woman? She pushed the thought out of her mind. Who her ex-husband rented his half of the duplex to was none of her business.
    “Did you see a big dog run by?” the man yelled.
    She pulled her head out of the back seat, her arms full of art supplies. “Yes. He went that way.” She gestured with her head in the direction of the park across the street, staring after him as he took off in that direction. He was gorgeous, the tailored cut of his slacks showing a tight ass tapering up to wide strong shoulders as he ran away from her toward the park. Straight blond hair