Must Love Wieners Read Free Page B

things up, don’t I?” she replied coolly, but felt her cheeks flush at the memory. Glancing in the rearview, she saw his eyes crinkle, as though he was remembering it too, but not in the same negative way. Her skin burned hotter.
    Annoyed at being left out of the conversation, Colin barked.
    “Is that a dog?”
    Piper sighed and let the creature wiggle free from her arms. Colin leapt onto the center console to investigate this new man in his cab. He was protective of Piper. Her little hero. In fact, she often imagined he looked like Batman. His short black fur and touch of light brown around his snout formed the same shape as the Caped Crusader’s mask.
    Aiden reached out to let the dog smell him. “Hello, boy. What’s your name?”
    “Colin,” Piper said.
    “Unusual name for a dog.”
    “Colin is an unusual dog.”
    As though in agreement, Colin barked.
    Aiden laughed and scratched him behind the ears. “Actually, I just became a proud owner of a dachshund.”
    “Well, you made a good choice. It’s a great breed.”
    She watched him make friends with her dog, which gave Aiden major bonus points—not that he needed them with that smile, and those eyes, and damn, he really did look good in that suit. “Maybe I’m headed your way,” she conceded. “Where did you want to go?”
    “Inner Mission area,” he said. “Please.”
    She checked the clock again, not sure how she always managed to take on too much. It would be fine, she told herself. Just fine. Besides, that was near the rescue center. She could drop Colin off before heading for the taxi depot. That way, she wouldn’t need to smuggle him out of the taxi in her backpack before someone saw. Plus having a pleasant view in her mirror for the trip didn’t hurt.
    “I think I can manage that. Colin, down, boy.” She pointed to the passenger side mat.
    With a whine of protest, the doxie hopped down.
    Throwing the car into drive, Piper shoulder checked and stepped on the gas. Leather and gold flashed in front of the hood as someone leapt ahead of the taxi. She slammed on the brakes. Everyone lurched forward in the cab.
    “Oh, crap,” she mumbled.
    “What is it?” Aiden asked.
    “Trouble.” She glared out the windshield where Dominic crooked a finger at her. “I’ll just be a second.”
    Nudging the car forward, she tucked it back next to the curb and out of traffic. Dominic crossed his arms to wait while she crawled out. His pompous expression spiked her annoyance level.
    Piper threw the door open, shivering as the rain hit her bare skin. “Do you have a death wish, Dom? Can’t you see I’m working here?”
    He pointed to her outfit. “You certainly look like a working girl to me.”
    “Ha-ha. You’re hilarious.”
    The rear cab door opened and Aiden stepped out onto the sidewalk. He glanced between Dominic and Piper. “Is everything okay?”
    “None of your business, pal.” Dominic jabbed a finger at Aiden before turning back to Piper. “You shoulda moved your cab, sweetheart.”
    “Keep your panties on, Dom. I’m moving it. See? I have my customer now. We’re leaving.”
    “Yeah, see, I don’t think you were here for a customer. You know, I started to think–”
    “And I’m sure it hurt.” Her left boob vibrated, startling her. Reaching into her bra, she pulled out her phone. The rain was picking up, so she stepped onto the sidewalk and under the building’s awning before checking it.
    It was a text from her boss at Tony’s Pizza.
    Got another complaint from a customer. He said you were late, the pizza was cold, and the breadsticks were missing. I warned you, Piper. You’re fired.
    “Dammit.”
    Bringing up a foot, she banged her heel on the pavement in frustration. Snap. Her heel broke. She stumbled back, arms pinwheeling as she tried to regain balance.
    Aiden lunged forward, catching her before she could fall. His hands rubbed hot on her bare stomach, and she took a moment longer than she needed to step