Page 4 of Split or Swallow

“I will.”

Her mother didn’t look convinced. Tem wasn’t really convinced either.

Brap brap brap brap brap.

Tem glanced at the door. “I have to go. I’ll be back early, I promise.”

She pressed a quick kiss to her mother’s temple before throwing on her cloak and opening the door. There stood Gabriel, all six chaotic feet of him. He wore a long leather jacket, his caramel hair lightly tousled from the walk over.

“Leather?” Tem said, “Really? You said you weren’t trying to take someone home tonight.”

“I’m always trying to take someone home.”

Gabriel stuck his head through the doorframe to give Tem’s mother a jaunty wave.

“Hello, Mrs. Verus. You’re looking lovely this evening.”

Tem’s mother gave him a scalding glare. Gabriel was unfazed.

“What’s cooking? Smells delightful,” he crooned.

“We’ll be back soon,” Tem said hurriedly, pushing Gabriel onto the porch.

He threw his arm around her as they stepped into the garden.

“Your mother doesn’t seem to like me anymore.”

“You terrorized her serving platters. The woman holds a grudge.”

“Pah,” Gabriel flicked his fingers as if that was of no concern to him. “Give me a week. I’ll be back in her good graces.”

Knowing Gabriel, he would be.

“But enough about me,” his arm tightened around her. “Can you smell that, Tem?”

“Smell what?”

He made an exaggerated show of sniffing the air. “That is the smell of your virginity disappearing into the wind.”

She shoved him as hard as she could, with little effect.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t be trying to get you laid tonight?” he continued without missing a beat. “It couldn’t hurt to get you some practice before tomorrow.”

“With who?” Tem asked bitterly.

“I’m sure we can find a lively bartender who would delight in your company.”

“The only bartender at the Horseman is Old Steve. You want me to fuck Old Steve?”

“No. But I’m sure Old Steve wouldn’t mind fucking a pretty young thing like⁠—”

She smacked his arm. “Why don’t you fuck Old Steve?”

Gabriel gasped dramatically.

“Please, Tem. I have standards.”

“Not that I can see.”