Page 144 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Just look at me?” Milo asked.

“Only at first,” Grievance said, his voice going low and husky.

Grievance stepped closer, letting his gaze travel slowly over his mate again. The clothes. The curls. That wicked little flick of black around his eyes. Milo had somehow made himself even more beautiful than usual on a night Grievance already considered sacred.

It seemed almost insulting to the Lantern to waste such a sight on the rest of Pumpkin Hollow.

“I was thinking,” Grievance murmured, catching Milo around the waist, “that perhaps the proper way to celebrate such a holy night would be to remain home and spend several hours worshipping my mate.”

Milo laughed, even as his hands settled comfortably against Grievance’s chest. “Oh, worshipping, is it?”

“Devoutly,” he purred, bending to kiss Milo on the neck.

“How—how very pious of you,” Milo said in a trembling voice.

“I am capable of great religious dedication.”

“I’m sure you are.”

Grievance bent closer, brushing his nose along Milo’s temple. “I could demonstrate.”

Milo’s laugh went softer. For one hopeful moment, Grievance thought he had him. Then a hand planted firmly against his chest and pushed.

“C’mon, you know we have to show.”

Grievance stumbled back a step. “Cruel.”

“We have to at least make an appearance.” Milo straightened his clothes where Grievance had already begun rumpling them. “Besides, I want to see the festival. Don’t you?”

Grievance did.

He wanted to see the lanterns glowing along Main Street. He wanted the music and cider and fireworks. He wanted to watch Milo laugh with their friends and complain about whatever ridiculous disaster Rowen inevitably caused before midnight.

But not nearly as much as he wanted to see his mate naked and writhing beneath him and⁠—

“Hurry up, let’s go.”

Grievance blinked. Milo was already halfway to the door. He sighed and followed.

The sacrifices he made for this town.

They tucked Marigold into her straw bed before leaving. “Goodnight, my girl.” Milo kissed between her horns. “No parties.” Marigold bleated.

Pip received strict instructions not to destroy anything else. Esmerelda received even stricter instructions. Grievance waited until Milo turned away before slipping the dragon an extra piece of turkey. Esmerelda swallowed it whole.

“Do not tell your father.”

“Grievance.”

He froze. Milo stood in the doorway with his arms crossed.

“She looked hungry.”

“She had dinner.”

“She is a growing girl.”

“You’re spoiling her.”