Save Me, Santa: A Chirstmas Anthology of Romance & Suspense Read Online Free Page A

wanting him in it.
    Of course, who knew if he wanted her in his…
    “Morning, sweetheart.”
    Just the sound of his deep, sleep-roughened greeting sent streaks of arousal singing though her body. His arms tightened around her and she nestled back against him.
    “Hi yourself. Sleep well?”
    “Like a Yule log. You?”
    She gave a happy sigh. “Never better.” She turned in his arms, and put hers around his neck. “Last night was—”
    “Never better,” he completed with a kiss.
    “Mmmm,” she agreed.
    Several minutes later they were interrupted by a high-pitched canine yip and a loud bark.
    Nick groaned, breaking their leisurely kiss. “Sounds like someone wants to go out.”
    She puffed out a resigned breath. “Have I mentioned how much I hate dogs?”
    “Really?” His brows went up and she realized he thought she was serious.
    “No! I love dogs. Usually. But they can be a royal pain sometimes,” she said dryly.
    He seemed relieved and gave her another kiss. Which was interrupted by a big, wet nose that poked between them, accompanied by a low growf . “Hey!”
    They looked at each other and started to laugh.
    Zenon put his paws on the bed and gave an annoyed bark.
    “Oh, all right,” Nick grumbled, released her, and sat up, stabbing his fingers through his attractively disheveled hair. “Go get Pogo while I put on my pants and find the leashes.”
    Emily was too busy admiring the view to notice that Zenon continued to whine and growf, until Nick frowned and said, “Jeez, what’s the matter, boy? Where’s Pogo?”
    The big terrier barked.
    Emily frowned, too, and scanned the room for the smaller white dog. “Pogo?” It wasn’t like her not to be right in the middle of things. “Pogo, come!”
    No Pogo.
    “What on earth…”
    She lifted her robe off the bed post, but Nick had already hopped into his pants, grabbed his gun and badge, and exited the bedroom before she could even slide it on. She could hear him calling Pogo amidst Zenon’s excited barking.
    Then she heard him swear roundly.
    She ran out into the living room. “What is it?”
    He was examining locks on the open door, his expression stormy. “I should be shot, that’s what.”
    “Nick?”
    He looked up, his face a portrait of self-recrimination. “We forgot to lock the door last night. I’m so sorry, baby. Pogo’s gone.”
    * * *
    Emily stared at Nick in disbelief. “What do you mean she’s gone? I don’t understand.”
    She glanced around, thinking it had to be a joke. Some kind of weird cop humor that wasn’t remotely funny.
    But sure enough, her little charge was nowhere to be seen. Zenon was visibly agitated, as though just as upset by his friend’s disappearance as Emily was.
    Nick rose from his inspection of the door and stood with his hands fisted on his hips, scowling at the locks. “Was she valuable?”
    “No, I don’t think so.” Emily tried to recall what Cindy had told her about Pogo. “Cindy got her from a friend whose mom got sick and couldn’t take care of her any more. Nothing special, as far as I know. I’m not even sure she’s a purebred.”
    “Could the woman want her back?”
    “Wouldn’t she just ask?”
    “You’d think. All right, could Pogo have opened the door herself?”
    Emily’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me?”
    “I had to ask,” he muttered, and glanced around the living room. “Is anything else missing?”
    She hugged her robe to her body as she turned in a slow circle and studied the shelves and walls. She shook her head. “I can’t be certain, but… I don’t think so.” She met his gaze. “Nick? What’s going on?”
    He looked as perplexed as she felt. “Got me. Come on. Let’s get dressed and go look down on the street. Maybe the dogs surprised a would-be burglar and Pogo simply escaped while the door was open. What do you bet we find her crying down by the front entry?”
    Emily nodded and rushed back to the bedroom to change. “I hope you’re right. She