Page 16 of Bewitching Her Monsters

“I’d like to get to know you. Is there something wrong with that?”

“Nope,” I squeak. I’m tempted to take a step back… or maybe a step closer, and see what he does. But I’m starting to think he might actually be into me. “Uh. But I just rolled out of bed.”

“Hungry?”

Oh, god, yes. I want to say for some sausage, but I don’t. “Yeah. Can you give me a minute or several to get ready?”

“Sure.” He retreats to the edge of my porch. “I’ll be right here.”

I shut the front door and quietly lock it, because, yeah. I don’t know this guy. And I want a quick shower. I can’t trust the new weirdo dog to protect me if this guy has ill intent.

Not that I expect McHottie to be a dildo, but I’ve learned the hard way not to let down my guard even with—especially with—people I’m attracted to.

When I turn, the dog looks at me with raised eyebrows.

As I stroll by him, I grumble, “What? I don’t get asked out on dates. Not my problem if you didn’t want to go with him first.”

I give myself a quick rinse in the shower—no need to shave or primp. This pussy isn’t going for a spin over brunch. Any guy who expects that within the first hour of knowing me and after hash browns isn’t going to get to eat my dessert taco. I’ve been there and done that, and it doesn’t work out happily in real life… at least, not for me.

Honestly, dating never works out great for me. Maybe that’s why I retreated to the world of romance books. I’m safe within the pages. I always get my happily ever after or my happy for now.

No one can break my heart.

Okay, that’s not necessarily true. Sometimes, I cry like a baby with some scenes I read.

But I don’t plan on falling for this sexy cougar-chasing fuckboy.

However… I plan to enjoy myself and flirt. I will make notes so I can use our conversations for my book inspiration.

I don’t usually wear much makeup, but I put on some blush and tinted lip gloss. He’s already seen me at my worst and asked me out anyway. Playing it up now seems freaking silly and pointless. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with naturally dark eyelashes, so it already looks like I’m wearing eyeliner or mascara.

I slip on some comfy jeans and a lightweight sweater. Quickly, I make sure all my fur babies are fed and watered.

I frown when I see the dog didn’t eat any of the steak I chopped up. Or the kibble I threw in there. I open the back door to see if he will go outside and relieve himself, but he doesn’t take the hint.

As I saunter by the dog, I say, “Don’t wait up.” And I give him a saucy wink.

He goes from lying down to sitting up and glaring at me.

“Fine. Do what you like, just don’t eat the furniture. Or my friends. If you’re good, I’ll get you a doggy bag.”

I want to reach out and pet him goodbye, but when I step closer, he ducks his head and trots away. So not as standoffish as last night, but close. We have a way to go, but I don’t expect I will have him long enough to win him over. His owner will come to claim him soon.

7

BRUNCH MISTAKEN

MAXUM

When I hear her shower running and the sound of her stepping inside it and water crashing over her naked body, I take a brief moment for myself and imagine the hot water pouring over all those tantalizing curves. Down the slope of her—

Snapping out of my lust-filled thoughts, I rush across the small porch. Crouching down, I peek in through her living room window. I motion for Arran to come closer.

His wolf shakes his head at me.

What in the ever-living fuck?

I want to mind-dive him to find out what the hell he’s thinking, but I promised him and the other guys I wouldn’t do that. I can’t break their trust. I can’t even cheat. They would know I was invading. I wonder if the witch would sense it was me if I did. I suppose I could just scramble her brains and call it a day.

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