She no sooner settled the pups into a make-shift bed, than she heard the smooth baritone that Skyler recalled from earlier. She turned her head toward its source and her mouth went dry. Surely this wasn't Matthew? This man was freshly showered, his features no longer smudged and indistinguishable. She inhaled deeply as she detected the pleasant sensation of his pure masculine scent. With his bronzed coloring, black hair, and blue eyes that also held a mixture of humor, wisdom, and kindness, the man before her could give any number of professional male models a run for their money in the fluttering-of-the-female heart department. The smoky voice was saying something, but her heart was thudding too unevenly to hear. This man couldn't possibly be Matthew-the-pup-rescuer, could he?
Yet he smiled slowly at her gaping mouth and that rich deep tone rumbled, "You okay, Skyler?"
Wow! Swallowing hard, she forced her gaze away from his blue one before her face could betray her thoughts. He looked like a modern-day gladiator with broad shoulders, corded neck, and perfectly sculpted face. When she dared another glance, he stared at her for a moment. From the twitching at the corner of his mouth, Skyler guessed he was trying to hold back a laugh. She wasn't sure if she wanted to slap him or kiss him now. Instead, she cleared her throat. Twice. "I'm fine thanks."
