"You don't know that," Jake insists, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. "I think you'd be great for me. Who else should I trust to have my best interests at heart, huh? Jo? Peggy? Hell, Thorfinn?" He's fairly certain Cougar will go all growly caveman at him when he suggests alternate relationships, and that's fine by him, really.

A determined look forming on his face, Jake sets the dog down (much to its disappointment) and instead steps around it, reaching out to wrap his fingers gently around Cougar's elbow.

"Carlos," he murmurs, unconsciously licking his lips too, sounding a lot braver than he feels. "I would really like to kiss you."