Page 43 of Xavier

“Good boy,” she cooed at the bird and winked at Xavier. She dug the bird food out of the cabinet, opened the cage and reached for his feed bowl.

Xavier hurried forward. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll bite you?”

“Not at all,” Lissette said. “He likes being fed.”

“When I tried to give him a treat, he attacked me.”

“That’s because he prefers women and hates all men. I think his previous owner, a male, wasn’t all that kind to him.”

Johnny flapped his wings at Xavier and screeched.

Xavier stepped backward, staying out of range of the bird’s sharp beak.

“Seems like a bird like that would be a liability to a shop owner,” Xavier said, his gaze wary the entire time Lissette left the cage door open.

“There’s a sign, big as day.” She pointed to the sign at the base of the cage, written in bold letters.

THIS BIRD BITES

OFFER FINGERS

AT YOUR OWN RISK

* * *

“That wasn’t there when I first met Johnny,” Xavier said, rubbing his scarred fingers.

“I think she posted it after he took a chunk out of you.”

He’s a keeper, Johnny said, his head bobbing as Lissette fitted his food bowl back into the side of the cage.

Lissette’s cheeks heated. She hoped Xavier hadn’t understood Johnny’s words.

“Do you think he’s referring to me?” Xavier asked.

“If he is,” Lissette quipped, “who should keep you? Me or Johnny?” She glanced up at him, not realizing just how close he’d moved.

Her breath caught in her throat. She had to tip her head way back to stare up into his eyes.

“I’m not Johnny’s type.” Xavier stared down into her eyes.

Butterflies fluttered in her belly, and an aching need bloomed at her core. “Who is your type?” she whispered.

He slid his hand behind her neck and tipped her head back. “I’m beginning to think…you.”

She swallowed hard, willing away the insanely intense feeling rushing through her system like a flash of lightning, spreading its fingers and igniting a chain reaction of sensations throughout her body.

No. This couldn’t happen. She couldn’t let this happen. “I’m damaged. Unlovable.”

“Something we have in common,” he said, his head tipping lower, his lips close. Really close.

She could feel the warmth of his breath against her mouth.

“Xavier,” she spoke when all she wanted to do was feel.

“Yes,” he said, his tone rumbling, skimming across her skin, sinking deep inside her.

“I’m no good for you,” she whispered. “I’ll ruin your reputation.”