Page 36 of Carver’s Craving

“No kissing.” Harder to agree to that now I remembered how he kissed, but I tried to sound casual. When I glanced at him, though, I found him watching me intently. Disconcertingly. “What?”

“I’m trying to figure you out. You live in the middle of nowhere. I don’t see you in a ménage with Ulysses and Finn—”

“Uh, hard pass on that. They’re into monogamy. I’m not a home-wrecker.”

“Right. And you said no romantic interest. So…you just use your right hand, or are you getting hookup action?”

Rarely. Never as good as with you. At that moment, the wind gusted.

“We might want to step it up a bit.”

Styx gazed skyward. “We expecting snow?”

I shrugged. “I haven’t checked the weather forecast.” As we continued walking, though, my mind raced. Is he asking because he’s curious, or does he have an inkling of who I am? Of what we did two days ago? As much as Styx could be an open book—he could also be difficult to read.

“Falling down on the dog-daddy job? Do the dogs go outside in the snow?”

“Yep. No prima donna shit with me. Out in the snow. Walter doesn’t stay on the ground long, though, and I put a towel in his wagon so I can dry him off right away. Poppin’s a bit…freer.”

“Dare I ask?”

“She loves to run around in the stuff. Dives into the piles. Rolls around in it. Completely undeterred by cold.”

“Cool.” He stopped for a moment, squinted, then pointed. “Is that—gasp—people? A person? Two? A dog?” More theatrical gasps.

I nudged him. “I told you that I do have neighbors.” And judging by the black dog walking between the two of them, we were about to meet Ryan, Simeon, and their dog Chia. “Uh, I should warn you.”

“Eh?”

“Well, warn is the wrong word. You’re an adult and you probably wouldn’t do something stupid—”

Styx shot me a glare. “Have you met me? I’m a freaking walking disaster area.”

Since I couldn’t tell if he was kidding or not, and my neighbors were getting closer, I merely said. “Simeon has a really bad stutter. Just so you know.” Then I plastered on a smile and waved.

“Thanks for the heads-up. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.” He put down the wagon handle, laid his cup on the ground, then waved his hands in the air. “Hey, neighbor!”

Fuck my life.

Chapter Ten

Styx

The look on Carver’s face was absolutely priceless.

I winked. “I’ll be good.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He muttered the words.

Whether I was meant to hear them or not, was another thing entirely.

The redhead walking the black dog appeared to be having a jolly time as his dog scampered our way. “Chia! Stop!”

The dog halted.

Chia. Right.

“Hey Simeon, Ryan…how’s it going?” Carver shot me one final glance as he stepped toward the advancing couple.