Page 76 of Rogue Wave

“Guy’s a punk. I’m not sad to have to kick him out.”

I took a sip of the Coke he’d given me and shifted to Hazel to look at her.

“Why can’t he just leave me alone?” she asked, leaning her forehead into my chest. “And how do you stay so calm? I was ready to throat punch him.”

I snorted. I was too, but it was my job to stay composed and in control of the situation.

The worst part about this was the crowd we’d drawn from nosy patrons wanting to witness the drama unfold.

“Why don’t we finish these drinks and go home,” I suggested, wanting—no, needing—the quiet and privacy. “Besides, I want to make sure you get back to this man who’s going to rock your world.”

She tilted her head to the side with a sassy grin. “I don’t know… Are you still going to be this tightly controlled and stiff when we get home?”

“Oh, I’ll definitely be stiff.” I winked at her, causing her to roll her eyes at my terrible pun.

“I meant are you going to be all uptight and formal to a fault?”

“Just because I behave when I’m in public doesn’t mean I’m tame behind closed doors.”

Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “Oh, I know. I’ve been the beneficiary of that these last few weeks.”

“Sweetheart, you broke through my impenetrable walls. When I get home tonight, I’m going to show you how much I regret not letting you break those walls sooner. Restrain yourself all you want, but when I get you home tonight, you won’t be able to hold back.”

“You’d be surprised how much restraint I can show. I didn’t punch my ex, did I? See? Restraint queen.” She pointed at herself with a proud smile, and I couldn’t help kissing her, even though it was in public.

When she was extra cute like that, I couldn’t control my mouth’s desire to be on hers.

I pulled her in for another kiss and let her scent and presence calm me in a way that nothing else seemed to be able to do.

22

“Sharks can smell blood from miles away. I can smell French fries from miles away.”

—It’s science

Hazel

The first thing I heard was my door opening, followed by the frantic clitter-clatter of Shadow’s nails skittering across my hardwood floors.

I was off today and had told Hank to come over after work, and I’d cook dinner. We’d spent the last two weeks alternating between each other’s places as often as we could.

I kept a lot of work supplies at my house, so when I had to bring a creature home, it made it easier to be at my place. But Hank’s house was home for Shadow, and while she was content at my place, she definitely slept better in her own bed at his place. Plus, being snuggled up with Hank in his giant bed was a lot of fun, too. Tonight, though, we were at my place, and I felt peace hearing him come through the door.

Shadow came to a screeching halt at my feet, her tail flapping like a hummingbird’s wings.

I set down my wooden spoon I was stirring with and turned to give her copious amounts of behind-the-ear scratches and a kiss on her head.

“You’re such a cute doggie, and I love you so much,” I cooed, hugging her and letting her lick my face.

“Can I get one of those?” Hank said from next to me.

“You want ear scratches?” I teased, knowing he meant the kiss.

“No,” he replied, pulling me into him for a vise grip of a hug. “I want one of these.”

There was no time to reply because his bossy mouth took mine in a powerful kiss.

My toes curled inside my fluffy slippers as a happy moan murmured in my throat.