Animal trainer, Jessica Kingston, thinks it’s just another job when wealthy businessman Jacob Daniels hires her to train his willful puppy, but the way he crushes her lips when they kiss says otherwise. Daniels has set his sights on dominating her, undertaking an irresistible seduction that leaves Jessica willing to do anything he requires.

Excerpt:

“Please have a seat.” Daniels indicated a chair as he settled behind his desk and pulled some papers out of a file. “I have your resume here.”

“Where did you get that?” I asked, puzzled. He’d called me based on a word-of-mouth referral. I hadn’t submitted a resume.

He raised an eyebrow at me as if surprised at my reaction. “Monster dot com.”

“Oh.” I had forgotten about that. I uploaded my resume all over the internet back when I still thought I could get a regular job with benefits. Before I’d resigned myself to freelancing as an animal trainer. “You googled me.”

“I run background checks on all employees and contractors,” he said. Reading off the paper in front of him, he continued, “Jessica Kingston.” My name rolled off his lips in a deep baritone. “You have a degree in zoology with a minor in animal behavior, correct?”

“Yes.”

“And you work as an animal trainer here in Boston.”

I nodded. “Right. I also offer pet sitting services.” My dream was to work at a zoo, but the jobs evaporated the second the economy went south. I had to make ends meet somehow, even if it meant I was the most over-qualified pet sitter on the planet.

“Great.” He gave a decisive nod. “How are you with puppies, Miss Kingston?”

I smiled at the thought of a sweet, fluffy pup. “Who doesn’t love a puppy?”

“I don’t,” he said, his expression serious. He handed me some pictures. “Look at these and you’ll see why.”

I went through the pictures and suppressed a smile. Someone had an out-of-control puppy who had systematically chewed their way through several pieces of what looked to be very expensive furniture. I set the photos on his desk. “How old is your puppy?”

“She’s four months.”

“Just a baby then.”

“And the baby’s all mine even though I’m a confirmed bachelor.” Humor danced in his eyes again.

“But how did you end up with a puppy you clearly can’t provide for?” I frowned at him.

He straightened his tie, his posture stiff and eyes narrowed. “I can provide for her just fine, Miss Kingston. Perhaps you were unaware, but my net worth has a lot of zeroes.”

I waved a dismissive hand, unimpressed. “Money doesn’t mean anything to a dog, Mr. Daniels.” Or me, I added silently. Material things didn’t dazzle me. The way to my heart was paved with animal hair. “She wouldn’t be eating your house if her needs were being met.”

That earned me a curt nod. “All right. You have a point.”

“So how did you end up with a dog you can’t manage anyway?”

He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “PR gone bad. The puppy is a thank you for LTD Enterprises’ support of the local no-kill shelter. I made the mistake of saying I liked the pup.”

“So, they just gave you a puppy?” Usually shelters required extensive screening before they’d let a dog go home with someone. The goal was a forever family, not Mr. Daniels’ current situation, which wasn’t good for the dog or the owner.

He nodded, his expression somber.

“Take the dog back. They’ll understand.”

He shook his head. “It’s more complicated than that.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is,” he said, his voice firm. “They’re counting on me to be in their Owner of the Month calendar next year. The dog and I are slotted for January.”

I burst out laughing. “You’re serious?”

He gave a solemn nod. “Dead serious and I feel obligated to see it through. The calendar is their biggest fundraiser for the year.”

Not wanting to be rude, I cleared my throat in an effort to cover my laughter. “You can’t back out?”

“Whether I like it or not, I’ve become their primary benefactor. It’s a responsibility I didn’t ask for, but I can’t say no without repercussions.”

I blinked at him wondering who had backed this powerful man into such a tight corner. “While I admire your desire not to let anyone down, if you aren’t ready to own a dog, it’s really for the best to return the puppy and give her a chance to find a real home.”

“I am her real home,” he said softly. “Just help me teach her the rules. That’s all I’m asking. Unless...” He steepled his fingers and looked me up and down. “You’re not up to the task.”

My spine stiffened at the challenge. “You’ll find me more than capable, sir.” I wanted to bite my tongue after saying ‘sir.’ It sounded deferential, which was nothing like me. 

Mr. Daniels seemed to like it though, and flashed me a dazzling smile. “Good. You’ll start today.”