PUPPIES! (issa) [Q]

[free3]

Shane took one last look at the puppies before walking to the living room. Jay had been asleep since a couple hours after they got home, and he hadn't had the heart to wake her when he came in to take her home. He had gotten a couple of hours of sleep, but he was feeling it. He wished he were a teenager again, who could stay up all night and have a great day the next day. He would have a hard time surviving. Jay. he called as he walked into the room. He came over to her, touching her shoulder and repeating her name so she'd wake up. The puppies are ready for you to see. he told her, smile splitting his face as his blue eyes sparkled. He couldn't wait until she saw them.

[jaydenmitchell]

A masculine voice calling her name stirred her from a peaceful sleep. "Mmpfh hnng...,"

[/b] she mumbled sleepily, beginning to open her eyes. "Wha?"[/b], she asked before her eyes blinked widely open and she quickly sat up. She peered into Shane's face with the stark look that showed she had realized she wasn't at home. "Uh, morning Shane,"[/b] she managed to get out. Jayden quickly stood up and began tugging at her clothes and running her fingers through her hair.

She was wearing a shirt that was too big for her, which Shane had offered her the night before, knowing she wouldn't want to wait around in her dress. Beneath it were a pair of his gym shorts, equally baggy on her smaller frame. She blushed, knowing how horrible she must look with her hair a mess. Not that she cared how she looked, really. But being a tomboy didn't necessarily mean she wanted a guy to see her in complete disarray. "Puppies?"[/b], she asked eagerly, deciding to forget how she looked for the time being.
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[free3]

He couldn't help the chuckle as she woke up, the sleepy tone in her voice melting him. She just didn't know the power she held. As soon as she was awake enough to be conscious, she became self conscious, standing up quickly and attempting to straighten clothes that were way too big for her. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, rumbling back a 'morning' to her as she oriented herself. Even though a blush colored her cheeks, he thought she looked good, if a little swallowed up by the clothes.

Yes, puppies. The reason you fell asleep on my couch in the first place? He grinned at her, beckoning her with one hand. He led the way to an extra room that had been converted for puppies. In one corner in a box lay a female and her six puppies. Shane's male had been banished, and the female wagged her tail as Shane came over, licking his hand as he knelt to stroke her. She's fine with people if I'm over here, so you can get close if you want. The female was wary of the new person, but with Shane's soothing hands and confident demeanor, would tolerate the lady.

[jaydenmitchell]

"Oh, right, those puppies,"

[/b] she answered with an innocent smile as she began following him toward the puppies he spoke of.

Soon they made their way to a room, where she saw a dog laying in a box. She heard the soft wimperings of puppies and her heart melted on the spot. Following Shane's lead, she slowly moved over to them, knowing she shouldn't rush or startle the mother. She stood next to Shane, where he knelt petting the mother, and gazed down at the little bundles of fluff. Though at that stage, there wasn't much fluff yet, they were still adorable in her eyes. "Aww,"[/b] Jayden cooed, her blue-green eyes gazing softly at them. She moved into a kneeling position too, but didn't reach out to touch any of them yet. "Did they all make it through okay?"[/b] She hoped for Shane's sake he'd had a good-sized healthy litter, just like he'd expected. With any luck, there'd be an extra one for her still too.
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[free3]

He smiled as she came over with such reverence, glad she knew to stay slow so that Momma wasn't alarmed. The female was wary, but the soft petting of Shane had her half closing her eyes.

Shane watched Jay, a tender expression on her face. She was pretty, even not wearing the right clothes or perfect makeup. It certainly enhanced her, sure, but he found seeing her like this did about as much to him as seeing her all dressed up.

He quickly looked down at the dog, hoping she didn't catch him staring. They had been on one date, abbreviated, at that. He decided to mare up for that. Hey, Jay. He said, looking back at her. How about I take you for breakfast to make up for our short date? And I can help you come up with an excuse for your dad. He told her, eyes sparkling. They both knew he had been with the puppies and she had been on the couch, but he figured it'd earn him one of her glares.

[jaydenmitchell]

Jayden looked up at him, blue-green eyes sparkling. Their date had been cut short, but she didn't hold it against him. She knew if she'd been in his place she would have wanted to rush home to her dog too. Some things were just more important than dates, and she understood that.

"Breakfast would be great,"

[/b] she spoke with a nod, before gesturing with her hands towards her body. "But uh, I don't think this is appropriate attire, nor is the dress I arrived in last night."[/b] She laughed at him, eyes twinkling. Then she tapped him on the chest with her index finger, giving him a half-glare. "You know Shane, I'm a big girl. I don't have to explain things to my dad."[/b] Sure, her dad might ask. Sometimes he did, and sometimes he didn't. He realized long ago that she rarely told him the intricate details of her life. She was an adult, and what she did was up to her. As long as she wasn't out breaking the law, he wasn't going to say too much.
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[free3]

He grinned at her, slightly disappointed he didn't get a blush or a glare that showed him the same thing as a blush would have. He waved his hand at her excuse. Please. You make that outfit look better than I ever did. he told her, chuckling. Well, since you have so rudely declined my breakfast invitation, I shall now keep you here to do things at my whim. Against your will if need be. He stood up, offering a hand to help her. First I will make you some pancakes, and then we will take a ride. Despite his comment about keeping her here, he looked at her. Sound okay to you?

[jaydenmitchell]

Her eyes faded to a blank stare for a moment, a blush creeping other her cheeks, partially because of his compliment, and partially beacuse of what followed it. Keep here there against her will? What on earth did that mean? She felt nervous and wondered what he had in mind. Shane didn't seem like the kind of guy who was anything but a gentleman...but...

Then she looked into his eyes, and realized he was probably joking. This caused her to blush even deeper. She took his hand and stood up beside him, perhaps leaning a little too closely against him as she tried to balance both mind and body. "Uh, pancakes? Sure, I like pancakes."

[/b] Jay gave him a feeble smile, still feeling a little nervous about what lay ahead.

Deciding she needed a few moments to clear her head, and fix the disheveled morning look she wore, she spoke again. "While you get started on that, mind if I go freshen up a bit? It'll only take a couple minutes,"[/b] she offered with a laugh. She didn't intend to make him do all the work, but her cooking probably wouldn't be worth eating anyway.
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[free3]

As he stood, he didn't see her look, and didn't realize his words had had that affect on her. He made sure his hand was steady, especially when she came farther into his space than she ever had before when he pulled her up. He just assumed she wasn't quite as coordinated as some people. He grinned at her comment. They are one of my specialties, madame. he told her, trying to pull off a French accent, failing quite miserably as his drawl got in the way.

Sure. he replied easily to her question. Take your time. Bathroom's that way. he told her, pointing, just in case she wasn't sure or didn't remember. She was independent enough not to ask, so he just made sure she knew. He padded to the kitchen, quickly whipping up some batter. This was a much prepared breakfast, so his hands traveled with the ease of experience. He wouldn't call himself much of a cook, but he didn't have to use a recipe book anymore. As the first pancakes began to cook, he started some bacon and eggs in a different pan.

[jaydenmitchell]

Jayden interjected a laugh at his comment. His fake accent was amusing, though far from the best she'd heard. Hey, at least the guy tried.

She nodded her understanding and headed off to the bathroom as he made his way towardsthe kitchen. The night before had been rather frenzied, but he'd managed to toss her some clothes and point out the bathroom before he headed off to watch the laboring dog. With any other guy, she would have pointed out that she already knew where it was, but this time she let it slide. It had been a long night, he probably didn't remember half of what had gone on.

It only took her a few moments to run a comb through her hair, which she found in a drawer, and pull it into a ponytail. The oversized clothes she couldn't do anything about yet, so she splashed some water on her face and called it done.

Finding her way back to the kitchen, she sniffed the air appreciatively as she entered, finding Shane hard at work. "Mmm, smells delicious,"

[/b] she said approvingly with a smile. "You never told me you were a cook,"[/b] Jay offered with a laugh.
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[free3]

He grinned at her over his shoulder, then turned around. Okay. There are two guys who live in this house, a couple more in town that work here. Do you see any of them around? he asked with a chuckle. It was learn to cook or starve. He turned around, then turned back. How do you like your eggs? I've started these scrambled, then realized I didn't ask you. he turned back to the pancakes, flipping them and then moving to a cabinet for two plates as he waited for her answer. The pancakes were enough for one, and he would have no problem taking these and cooking her another batch. With the bacon also in the pan, there wasn't space for two people's worth of eggs.

[jaydenmitchell]

She walked over towards him as he talked, peeking over his shoulder at what he cooked. As she did so, she raised her hand and rested it on his shoulder without even realizing it. Laughing, she answered him. "I guess in your situation I'd just starve,"

[/b] she spoke with another chuckle before continuing. "Scrambled is perfect for me. Thanks."[/b] The truth was, she'd eat her eggs scrambled or fried. Anything that didn't have a gooey center in it. She never understood why people liked the idea of eating basically raw eggs.

Watching him reach into a cabinet and pull out two plates, she felt bad that she was just standing there watching. "Anything I can do to help?"[/b] Her stomach growled softly in anticipation of the delightful smelling food. It wasn't loud, barely enough for her to hear, so she was almost certain he hadn't heard it. Silently, she told her stomach to keep its thoughts to itself.
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[free3]

He stilled for a split second when she put her hand on his shoulder, but kept moving as he cooked. He chuckled at her reply. She was right there, he could just reach over and kiss her. He mentally shook himself. They'd been on half of a date, she probably didn't need that right now. He grinned at her, flipping the two pancakes onto one of the plates, with the eggs and a piece of bacon. You can carry this right over there. He said, pointing to her seat. And serve the lady that was sitting there. He said, grinning.

He turned back around and cracked two more eggs into the pan, but froze as he heard footsteps that carried more weight than Jay. As he turned around, his brother, shirtless, stepping into the kitchen, eying the stove. Smells- oh, hi. Been here all night? His brother started out interested, but became amused, looking Jay up and down. As soon as he looked over to shoot Shane a thumbs up, he backed away. Um, I'm going- well, I- bye. Shane's dark look had sent him effectively away, but the blush on his cheeks that remained told a different story. Both Shane and his brother were muscular, good looking, and Shane hadn't needed his brother's abs and misconceptions in front of Jay, a girl he liked, felt connected with, but hadn't done anything with.

[jaydenmitchell]

Jayden began to do as requested, picking up the plate. But before she could walk over to the table and sit herself, the lady Shane spoke of, down at a seat, she heard footsteps. She turned around and came face to face with a, well, handsome guy, entering the room. She nearly dropped the plate she was holding, but managed to sit it on the counter clumsily.

One look at his face taking in her clothing told her what his assumptions were. She turned red and crossed her arms over her body, as if it would somehow hide the fact that she was wearing Shane's clothes. She wanted to correct the guy, but before she could, she saw Shane give him a glare that was more than enough to send the guy back where he came from.

She turned and looked at Shane again, noticing that his cheeks matched the color of her own. "Uh, friend of yours?"

[/b], she asked, fumbling for something to break the awkwardness. A moment later she realized that the guy looked a lot like Shane, meaning it was probably the brother he spoke of. She stared down at the floor, wishing the awkwardness would go away.
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[free3]

Shane turned back to his cooking, furious at his brother for his bad timing. He paused what he was doing, taking a deep breath before he broke anything or clanged things around too much. He had to somehow salvage this morning. Brother. he growled at Jay, immediately regretting it. The anger was directed at his brother, but he shouldn't have let it into his voice. He put his hands on the counter, dropping his head and taking a deep breath. He gathered his food, and moved to a seat next to her. I'm sorry about that, about what he assumed, at that his cheeks again went red, but he kept going, and I'm sorry for my tone of voice a minute ago. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to gain control of himself again. He wasn't sure what he was going to do to his brother, but strangulation in his sleep was one of the things Shane was considering.