Chasing Stanley Read Online Free PDF Page A

that.”

CHAPTER 02
    â€œGet off of her!”
    The minute Jason opened his apartment door, Stanley jumped up on Delilah. His massive paws landed on her shoulders, sending Delilah stumbling back before steadying herself. For a moment, it looked as though they were dancing. Had Delilah not been quite as agile, Stanley would have knocked her flat.
    â€œStanley, down!” Delilah commanded. Stanley ignored her, licking her face instead. Sighing with momentary resignation, Delilah held still while Stanley gleefully lapped at her cheeks.
    â€œHe doesn’t know ‘Down,’ does he?”
    â€œNo,” Jason admitted guiltily.
    Shaking her head, Delilah grabbed Stanley’s front paws and gently lowered him to the ground. Stanley looked at her, then indelicately thrust his head between her legs. Jason wished he had a gun so he could shoot himself.
    â€œStanley!”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Delilah said, scratching Stanley’s back. “He knows we’re mad at him, so he’s looking for reassurance.”
    Jason couldn’t believe it. Stanley had nearly knocked her down, he’d slobbered all over her face, and now he had bulldozed her—somewhat vulgarly—into affection. Yet Delilah was unfazed.
    She continued scratching Stanley’s back for awhile before lightly tapping his rump. “Okay, that’s it. Rubbies are over for now.” Stanley played deaf. Delilah backed up so she was no longer straddling him. Stanley charged her playfully, hoping for a repeat performance. This time Delilah stopped him in his tracks.
    â€œStan!” She moved out of reach, eyeing Jason above the unruly beast’s head. “This isn’t good. If he butts someone in the crotch, it could seriously hurt them.”
    â€œTell me about it.” Jason left to go to the kitchen, returning with a slice of hot dog. “Watch this.” He walked over to Stanley, who had Delilah cornered. His giant tail was wagging so hard it created a breeze. “Stanley!”
    The dog turned and lumbered over to Jason, who held the hot dog chunk high above Stanley’s head. “Sit!” Stanley sat. Jason gave him his reward, smiling proudly at Delilah. “Impressive, eh?”
    Delilah didn’t look impressed. “You’ve been using hot dogs to bribe him all week, haven’t you? Getting him to come in, getting him to go out . . . Am I right?”
    â€œWell, yeah. But I was using it as a reward, like you said!”
    â€œYou’re supposed to reward him for obeying a specific command .”
    â€œ ‘Sit’ is a command,” Jason pointed out.
    â€œTrue. So are ‘Up,’ ‘Out,’ ‘Down’ and ‘In.’ Are you telling me he knows those?”
    â€œNo. I just kind of hold the hot dog out to him and—”
    Delilah winced. “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know how much he’ll have to unlearn.”
    â€œSorry.” Jason sulked his way over to his couch. “Want to sit down?”
    â€œSure.” Delilah sat, once again unfazed when Stanley followed her, sitting down right on her feet. “Typical Newf,” she murmured, affectionately stroking Stanley’s back. “Wants to be right where you are.”
    â€œAlways,” said Jason, stifling a huge yawn. He’d been out partying with his brother and some of his new teammates. He could already tell he was going to love living in Manhattan; there was so much to do and see, so many different places to hang. Eric had told him to get used to being the center of attention because he was a Blade, but it wasn’t until last night, with women throwing themselves at him and bartenders giving him free drinks, that Jason believed him.
    â€œCan I get you something to drink?” he asked.
    â€œSome water would be great.”
    â€œComing right up.”
    Jason returned to the kitchen. He’d been nervous about Delilah coming over