Page 77 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

Grievance wrapped both arms around him from behind.

“You believe in omens?”

“I’m a witch. It’s practically a professional requirement.”

A kiss pressed into his curls. Milo rested his hands over Grievance’s arms and looked at the lantern. A year ago, he never could have imagined this.

A mate.

A family.

A home that had somehow become louder, stranger, messier, and fuller than he’d ever dreamed it could be. And something told Milo they weren’t finished yet.

Not even close.

Whatever came next—wicked, wild, wonderful, or something else—Milo knew one thing for certain.

He wouldn’t face it alone.

Their lantern was lit.

And there was so much light ahead.

CHAPTER ONE

milo

Pumpkin Hollow belonged to October. The second the clock struck midnight on September 30th, the spirit of the town woke up and smiled like a Cheshire cat. Because October was the time for magic. For mischief. For ghosts and ghouls…

…and one very, very sexy Chimera.

“You’d better watch your step, or you’ll put your foot through another jack-o’-lantern,” Grievance said after catching Milo sneaking glances at him.

“I wouldn’t have to keep looking if you’d stop wearing that damn vest.”

Milo didn’t even pretend to be subtle as he admired the way the sleeveless black denim vest hugged Grievance’s broad shoulders, leaving powerful, sun-bronzed arms completely exposed to the crisp autumn air.

Several necklaces rested against his chest, layered chains of gold and darkened silver, each one a treasure Grievance had collected and grown ridiculously fond of. Rings adorned several of his fingers, while a mismatched collection of bracelets circled his wrists—leather, metal, beads, and charms all jostling softly together. Even his long hair was adorned, pulled back with a delicate golden chain, an opal dangling beside his ear.

All of it only accented the lean muscle that shifted effortlessly as he carried three heavy wooden crates tucked beneath one arm as though they weighed no more than a basket of apples.

The dark tattoos winding across his chest and shoulders had changed again today, taking on the diamond pattern of hydra scales that made him look as though he wore living armor. Combined with the scar that cut from the corner of his mouth toward his jaw, the look should have been intimidating. Monstrous.

Instead, it made Milo’s mouth water, his eyes continuing to dart appreciatively over Grievance instead of watching where the hells he was going.

Milo shook his head. “It’s officially cold enough for you to put on a real shirt. I’m hiding that vest until summer—aah!”

Milo went pitching forward as his shoe caught the edge of a loose cobblestone. Grievance’s free arm shot out on instinct, catching him around the waist without so much as wobbling the three crates balanced in his other arm.

“Thanks,” Milo muttered.

The words had barely left his mouth before something fuzzy repeatedly smacked him across the temple.

“Nestmaker walks like frightened gazelle!”

His hidden companion readjusted himself atop Milo’s head, eight little legs searching for purchase among his curls. Milo supposed most people would find the sensation of a spider nestling into their hair unnerving, but he was so used to it by now that he barely noticed.

One got used to a lot of things when they lived with a bright blue, grossly enlarged, talking jumping spider.