Page 6 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Grievance!” Milo said, alarmed, head swiveling to see who was close enough to hear. “We’re in public!” Milo hissed. A massive hand slid to the small of his back, pulling Milo’s body flush against his. Milo swallowed, his breath growing heavy and his cock suddenly very interested in the conversation.

“Grievance…” Milo whispered now, his body going hot all at once.

He looked over. The dried cornstalks weren’t much of a cover. They’d have to be really careful unless they wanted to give these tourists a show they’d never forget⁠—

Lanterns, what is wrong with me?

Did he really just consider getting busy—here!? Now!?

Fuck. Maybe this autumn weather really does mess with my brain chemistry.

He wasn’t usually this easy. Usually.

“How about an appetizer before my meal?” Grievance growled right into the crook of Milo’s neck and fuck. Now Milo’s dick was at full attention, and yep.

He was considering it.

“PIP IS STILL HERE!” A voice called from beneath the hat.

Grievance let out a heated sigh, kissing Milo on the neck, sending a trail of goosebumps erupting all the way to his ankle.

“Perhaps later.”

“Yes, later,” Milo said, exasperated, pushing away and reassembling his pants. “Not in front of the kids.”

“Oh, so now Marigold is our kid,” Grievance said with a laugh.

“Pip not kid!” the spider hissed. Milo immediately felt the indignant stomp of tiny spider feet atop his head. “Pip respected familiar!”

“Yes, of course. You’re right, Pip.” Milo rolled his eyes.

Pip wasn’t technically a familiar. He was just an enlarged jumping spider who had accidentally fallen into a vat of giggle tonic, gained the power of speech, and never once considered keeping an opinion to himself.

“We really need a date night,” Milo said as he pulled Marigold away from the neatly trimmed pot of chrysanthemums. “Our kids are driving me nuts.”

“There you are!”

Both of them looked up to see Officer Hobbs jogging toward them, one short arm raised in a wave. The dwarf woman looked far more tense than usual, which was saying something. She barely slowed as she reached them.

“Pembrooke and boyfriend. With me.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and marched back up the street.

What happened to hello? Nice to see you, Milo. How have you been? I’ve been great, thanks for asking.

Milo looked to Grievance, who just shrugged as they fell into step behind the Officer. They followed her down a narrow path of homes, just off the main street. She waved them past someone’s gate and into a modest backyard garden. There she stopped, hands on her hips, glaring at something just behind the giant banana squash.

Milo bent to peek around. And there, coating the dirt, was a circular patch of…

“Is that snow?” Milo asked, brows knitted in confusion.

“You bet. Take a look, goes all the way to the tree line.” She pointed up at what was obviously a trail of frozen, snow-covered ground.

Milo crouched, scooping it into his hand. It melted almost immediately.

“That’s impossible. It never snows this early.”

“I know,” Hobbs said.