Page 46 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Yes.”

Of course he was. Milo stepped closer. “Hold out your hand.”

Grievance’s brow furrowed, but he obeyed. Milo dropped the little pouch into his palm, and the Chimera’s grouchy face softened.

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

Grievance loosened the drawstring and dumped the contents. A single emerald earring set in gold slid into his palm. It was simple—nothing extravagant—but the stone was genuine. That was exactly why Milo could only afford one. He’d never be able to afford the pair.

For several seconds, Grievance said nothing. Milo suddenly felt nervous.

“The lady inside said she lost the other one, so I got a discount. I thought maybe we could turn this one into a pendant or a brooch… or something.” His voice faded away as Grievance continued to stare at it, without a word.

“If you hate it, we can go back and exchange it for something—Mm!”

Grievance grabbed Milo and kissed him. Milo melted into that familiar possessiveness of his mate. The one who wasn’t afraid to grab Milo and touch him the way he needed to be touched.

There is my monster.

Grievance licked the seam of Milo’s mouth, and just when Milo was about to moan and make a scene in public, he pulled back.

“Thank you, my love.”

Some of the heaviness finally disappeared from Grievance’s expression.

Milo took the single earring and lifted it beside Grievance’s face, admiring the way the stone caught the autumn sunlight.

“Green is definitely your color. You like it?”

“I love it.”

“What are you going to make it into? It could work as a pendant on a necklace.”

“Why not an earring?”

Milo’s eyes widened in surprise. “Your ears aren’t pierced.”

“I’ve debated the idea of permanent body jewelry. This is a perfect opportunity to start.”

“You know I’m going to have to poke a hole in your ear, right?”

Grievance closed the earring in Milo’s hand and brought it to his lips, placing a long, reverent kiss across his knuckles.

“As long as it’s you, my love, you can put as many holes in my body as you like.”

A voice somewhere behind them whispered⁠—

“Aww, they’re so cute together.”

Milo beamed. Actually beamed. He couldn’t help it.

“What?” Grievance asked.

“Nothing.”

“You’re smiling.”