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“Son.” Cary placed a hand on Ares’ shoulder. “In the importance of our progressing relationship as father and son, I’d tell you I lo—
“I’ll make you eat your shoes if you finish that sentence.”
I shook my head. Cary meant well, but went a little overboard there. Mom hugged me from behind, and I curled my hands around her forearms as I sagged against her.
“Fair enough.” Cary cleared his throat. “Please, take this, not just as a peace offering, but also as a celebration of our lives so far.” He placed the pouch in Ares’ hands. “I knew we would make it, the three of us.”
Cary took a moment to include Rio as well.
“I just didn’t know how long it would take. But here we are. So, open it.”
Ares loosened the drawstrings and found the gate key to The Snake Zoo. He looked at his dad, then at me. My heart skipped a beat. A smile slowly appeared, and he fist bumped his dad’s shoulder.
Ares hadn’t exactly melted for his father, but it was a start.
He was officially the new boss of the sanctuary.
Hoots and hollers followed. The music was turned up loudly again. Drinks and food were served. People enjoyed the evening. The financial status of The Zoo was surmounting. Maybe people truly cared about the animals. But I was also convinced the heartfelt speech from Cary had played a big part as well.
Someone grabbed me from behind. I squealed, because I recognized who those greedy hands belonged to.
“Here you are.” Ares turned me around and made us dance along the rhythm of the song.
I placed his hands on my hips and swayed along while I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “That’s not how a couple’s posture is supposed to be, but I’ll give you free reign tonight.”
He licked his lips. “Then get prepared to receive a whole lot of loving tonight because, baby, I’m yours. Only yours.”
“And I’m yours.”
He cupped the back of my head as he pulled me into a kiss. I tasted the beer on his tongue, and I’m sure he tasted the rum on mine.
“Thank you. Not just for tonight. For everything.” He settled his forehead against mine. “For being such a fucking hard-ass.”
I smiled. “You need me to be.”
“Absolutely,” he agreed. Ares kissed me swiftly again while he stroked my spine with his knuckles and sighed, content. “You wreck me, sweetness.”
“In a good way?”
“Always.”
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Devi Duarta is, although quite introverted—except when writing and reading—quite bold in her wardrobe and... I mean, pink hair! She loves metalcore music, bowling, car karaoke (when she's by herself, of course), and hot bookboyfriends.
TAKE ME
AGENTS OF HEAT
HARPER CROSS
Take Me © 2023 Harper Cross
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
