Michael Angelo

Excerpt:
“Ready?” she asked.
He nodded. “Perfect timing.”
“I’ve washed a few loads myself.” She flashed him a look of commiseration.
Hanging the pack on one shoulder, Mike signaled to Mutt, who’d been lying in front of the dryer. They were quite a sight as they left the building. Seven-and-a-half feet of muscle flanked by six feet of delectable blonde and a rangy Belgian Shepherd. There wasn’t a guy in the place who didn’t want to be Mike.
“I hope you don’t mind, but we have to make a detour before we take you home.” This time she was driving a nineteen ninety-eight Escort. Mike almost didn’t make it inside. He cranked the back of the seat until he was practically lying down and still his knees were jammed against the dash. “Sorry about the tight fit. It’s small, but it’s paid for.”
“No problem,” he lied. “Where are we going?”
“To the hospital. Amanda is asking for you and the rest of the family wants to meet you.”
Mike sat up, banging his head against the roof, then fell back, cursing and rubbing away the pain. “No way.”
“Why not?” Her full lips pouted slightly. “They’ll be so disappointed.”
“Look at me. I haven’t bathed. I haven’t shaved. And my clothes are filthy. Besides, I don’t have any place to leave Mutt.”
“Oh, they want to meet him, too. He’s also a hero.” Glancing over she admonished, “Don’t be such a baby. It’ll only take a minute. Besides, after hours in the hospital, none of them look too good, either.”
Mike blushed. He actually blushed. After so many years, he didn’t think he still had the ability. “Right.” He sighed. “I was being a selfish bastard. After all they’ve been through, if it will please them to meet us, who are we to say no?” Mutt barked his agreement.
Mary Grace glanced at Mike surreptitiously. Damn, the man was hot. Thick dark hair and mesmerizing blue eyes topped off a body that would make the WWE boys weep. Mary Grace wiggled slightly. Being around Mike made her antsy. What was up with that? “I’ll take us in the emergency entrance and up the employees’ elevator. That way we won’t have to face Nursezilla with Mutt along. She’d have a hissy fit.”
“We certainly don’t want a hissy fit,” he teased, nostrils flaring. He detected Mary Grace’s arousal and responded in kind. Great. Just what he needed, one more part of his anatomy constricted. He tried to shift into a more comfortable position to no avail. For once he envied his dog. He’d love to hang his head out the window, so he couldn’t scent Mary Grace’s pheromones. Either that or get her alone for a few minutes. He hadn’t been with a woman in so long…
“Here we go.” She turned into a parking lot, and Mike said a quick prayer of thanksgiving.