Obedience Lessons

Chapter Two

My throat went dry. Did he know how those words got my motor running? I felt a low growl in the base of my chest as a particularly hidden side of me reared its head. I wanted to see this man do everything I said just to please me. Right. Broken dog to fix.

"Good boy," Was all I said, patronizingly, and tried to tell myself he didn't seem happy about it. I cast my eyes around his living room to avoid looking at the half-naked man driving me to distraction. It was chic, everything was probably picked out by an interior designer. Every item was either black or white or grey, except for several modern pieces of abstract art on the walls. His carpets were pristine, running from wall to wall. "Better prep a dog corner. I'd hate for your home to be ruined."

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" He demanded, arms crossed now.

"Andy Burrie, shitty to meet you," I replied, not moving to even shake his hand.

He looked me over silently before saying, "I don't like dogs." He set his jaw stubbornly, eyes flaring with rebellion.

"I bet they don't think much of you either, least of all Spotty," I snapped back. "Why would you even want to run over a dog?"

He probably noticed the death glare I was fixing on him, because he had the good sense to at least sound contrite. He looked me in the eyes as he shrugged, "World isn't fair."

"No shit. I bet you're just the target of the universe living it up in your mansion," I scorned. "My advice? Grow the fuck up, the world is shit already without baddies like you running over dogs."

"Baddies?" He said, amused again. When he smiled like that the corners of his mouth curled up adorably. My thoughts ran wild with all the things I wished I could do to him with that mouth. My hands twisting in his jet black hair..."Alright, you got me, I shouldn't have run over the dog, I'll cover his bills, but why not just put him down?"

"You mean kill him because you were a dick?" I shook my head and frowned at him, "Nah. You hurt him, so you'll fix him. And you'll do a damn good job or I'll make sure animal rights activists get all over your shit." I stood, ready to leave, I couldn't stick around or I'd do something stupid, like throw him over the coffee table and play out some new fantasies.

"Leaving? I don't know the first thing about caring for a dog."

"Guess you got three days to learn then, Spotty checks out on Thursday. 'Sides, I can't stick around to babysit you, I got shit to do. I already missed classes today dealing with your mess." I checked my watch, a functional thing with a simple black leather band, it read 8:25Pm. Shit I had a paper to turn in tomorrow.

"Hey," He called when I walked by him to see myself out. I stopped but didn't turn to look at him. "You got balls, you know that right?"

"Fuck I knew that since before I could play with them." I opened his door then cast a glance back at him, "Three days Dylan." Feeling triumph in my chest, I slammed his door with just a hint of drama and almost howled at the moon on my way out of his compound.

When I reached my apartment I scowled at the scene. The strays had been in my garbage. Should've seen that one coming. I got out gloves from my cabinet and went back out to clean up.

Mrs. Headley spotted me and hurried over just as I bent over to gather up some egg shells.

She wolf-whistled, "Nice view."

"Perv," I replied good-naturedly. "He's gonna be okay," I continued without her having to ask. "He's gonna lose his hind legs though. Romeo's replacing it with some doggy wheels. Mr. Ryman was generous enough to cover the expenses." I dropped her a sly wink.