Page 89 of Fool Moon First Aid

Relenting, I loop my arms around his neck, clinging to him. Tyler still retains a trace of his youthful appearance, his eyes sparkling as he glances down at me and a lock of hair falling over his forehead. I reach up, brushing the strands away from his eyes and tucking them back, noting the softness and subtle curl of his hair.

“Are you hungry?” he asks as we step inside the house.

“Not really,” I reply, just as Brody, who was holding the door, places a kiss on my forehead, telling Tyler, “Clean the wound.”

Tyler, ignoring his packmate’s warning, carefully maneuvers me up the stairs and down the hall to the bedroom at the end. “Since I’m the youngest, I get the second smallest room,” he explains, hinting at a deeper significance.

“Why do I feel like there’s a warning in that?” I inquire.

“Because there is,” he replies, kicking the door open to reveal his world inside.

Upon entering, I’m immediately enveloped by his scent—salty ocean spray—which permeates every corner of the room. It sinks into my skin and bones, compelling me to breathe deeper to absorb every hidden nuance of his essence.

“Like I said, it’s a little messy,” he admits, gently setting me on his bed and calling out, “Bean!”

Only now do I notice the mess—a trail of shirts leading to a barn door closet, piles of clothes and scattered books throughout. I’m curious about the genres he reads, hinted at by a risqué book cover. My attention shifts as I remember my snake—the unexpected catalyst that brought us all together. I catch her in the act of pushing one of the pins from her screen out of its slot.

“Oh, you naughty snake,” I exclaim with a playful tone as I stride over to the corner where her luxurious tank sits. It’s an elaborate setup that dwarfs the humble abode I provided her with at home, decked out with lush faux foliage and a myriad of hideouts that would make any reptile enthusiast green with envy. Simply put, she is spoiled.

Tyler eyes her with a blend of frustration and awe. “She keeps pushing those pins out,” he mutters, his eyes narrowing in a mock glare at our slithery escape artist. “How the hell is she doing that? I didn’t think snakes were…”

“Smart?” I chime in with a cheeky grin. My laughter fills the room as I accidentally step on a rogue pair of boxers—evidence of the casual disarray of Tyler’s living space. I pluck the pins from the tank, and I barely have time to react before she gracefully makes her exit, slithering out with the elegance of a seasoned escapee.

Tyler sidles up next to me, a playful nudge accompanying his observation. “I think she missed you,” he comments, amusement lacing his tone.

I snort in response. “Only because I’m her personal chef.” My little ghost motley snake stretches toward my hand, her forked tongue sampling the air with delicate flicks. “She’s probably just hungry,” I murmur, softness creeping into my voice as she coils around my hand, her scales cool and smooth against my skin. She begins her ascent up my arm, aiming for her favorite perch around my neck.

“It bothers me that she’s aiming for your neck,” Tyler grumbles, folding his arms over his chest. “Won’t she strangle you?”

“You mean again?” I quip, my gaze flitting up to meet his. I flutter my lashes in feigned innocence. Tyler’s presence here, in this room teeming with personal artifacts and a palpable sense of intimacy, sends waves of nervous excitement coursing through me.

“Yes, again,” he retorts, the hint of a smirk playing on the corners of his mouth. “I’ll grab her a mouse.”

The fact that he went out of his way to ensure my pet’s comfort tugs at my heartstrings. If I wasn’t already tumbling headfirst into this whirlwind romance with these three, that gesture alone would have sealed my fate.

“Thanks,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper as I turn away, hoping to conceal the blush I can feel painting my cheeks a vivid shade of crimson. “Hey,” I call out, reaching to grasp his arm as he moves past me, the brief touch sending electric sparks along my skin. “My bags? I know we didn’t really plan for them to be here, but…”

“I have them,” he assures me, his voice a soothing balm. Leaning in, he steals a kiss that crackles with intensity, leaving me breathless. He pulls back and winks—a playful gesture that feels like a secret between us.

My fingers linger on my lips, tracing the phantom sensation of his kiss. I look forward to Tyler’s sporadic kisses. They are like rare Tyler gems that he drops all over the place. The thought of capturing his undivided attention sends a thrill of anticipation through me.

As I wander down the hall, lost in thought, Tyler reappears, duffle bag in hand. “Here you go,” he says, pausing on the steps to meet my gaze. “I’m going to warm the mouse.” A crease forms between his brows. “I looked up the proper way to feed her. So, warm the mouse in water, inside a baggie, then place it in a container?”

Leaning against the bathroom doorframe, I can’t help but admire his dedication. “Exactly,” I confirm, warmth flooding my chest. “That way, she thinks she’s hunting. Feeding her outside her enclosure ensures she doesn’t associate my hand with food.” His eagerness to understand and care for my snake adds another layer to the growing affection I feel for him.

“I have those,” he says, his enthusiasm sending him nearly tumbling down the stairs in his rush to prepare everything.

A gentle laugh escapes me as Brody emerges from his room, leaning casually against his doorframe in a pose that mirrors my own. “Hey, you,” he whispers, his voice low and intimate.

“Hey,” I reply, tightening my grip on my bag as an unexpected wave of emotion washes over me. “How are you feeling?” I ask, conscious of the limited time we’ve had to connect since the accident.

“How are you?” he deflects, sweeping his gaze over me in a way that sends my heart racing.

I allow myself a moment to drink in his appearance, from the intensity in his eyes to the casual drape of his sweatpants that hints at the contours beneath. The way his gray shirt clings to his broad shoulders sends a shiver of excitement through me. “I feel good,” I confess, surprised by the depth of my own well-being. “Really good, actually.” It’s as if a veil has been lifted, and I’m finally who I was meant to be all along.

Brody closes the distance between us, his eyes alight with an emotion that I can’t quite name. “Good,” he murmurs before his lips meet mine in a kiss that ignites a fire within me. My bag slips from my grasp as I lean into him. The world narrows to his taste and the press of his body against mine, and for a moment, everything else falls away. His tongue teases mine, inviting a response that I eagerly give, lost in the intensity of the moment.

I don’t want the kiss to end, but Brody pulls away too quickly, pressing his forehead to mine. “Tomorrow, you’re mine,” he whispers, his body trembling. He pulls back slowly before entering his room again, leaving me reeling.

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