Page 41 of Bewitching Her Monsters

My stomach drops.

He ran off because I left today. I glance at my six-foot-tall fence and see scratch marks. I thought it would have been high enough to contain him. I guessed wrong. Maybe for a Shih Tzu or medium-sized dog, but for Beast, it was a small hurdle.

He left me. Why does that hurt just as much as a boyfriend abandoning me? Maybe I really do need to find someone to love.

Getting over my pain, I remember that his owner is here. Crap.

Will he believe that Beast ran off? Or will he insist that I’ve hidden him and demand him back? Will he storm into my house, searching for his beloved pet?

Take a breath, Jade.

Sometimes my author-mind gets away from me, contemplating every scenario.

I race throughout the house, checking to be sure that I didn’t imagine letting him out before I did my errands.

Centering myself, I head out the front door and step out onto the porch, but on the opposite end from this man, so he can’t easily push me back inside. For all I know, he’s been the creeper watching me.

His eyebrows rise in confusion, reminding me of his dog.

“Uh. While I was out…” I wring my hands. “Your dog escaped. I’m so sorry!” I start waving my hands over my face as I heat up with nerves. I’m worried for Beast, and I’m concerned about what this guy’s reaction is going to be.Ishe an alphahole? “He might still be in the neighborhood. I’ll put the rest of my food in the house, and I will make the circuit with my car. We’ll find him. God, I hope he’s okay!”

“Hey,” the man says softly. “It’s not your fault. He does this. He’s a bit of a free spirit and takes off. He’s probably headed to my place. I don’t live that far away.”

“You believe me?” I ask, sort of shocked he took my claim at face value. Especially considering how his friend Maxum acted so suspicious of me.

“You seem like a caring person.” He comforts me, even though it’s his animal missing. “I don’t think you would steal someone’s animal.”

“Tell that to Maxum,” I grumble under my breath.

“Maxum?” The guy shakes his head. “He can be… intense. And sometimes distrustful. I’m sorry if Maxum bothered you when he saw you were taking care of Beast.”

I chuckle lightly. At least I’m not the only one who thinks Maxum’s a bit much. Unfortunately, it doesn’t diminish how sexy he is.

“Beast was pleasant company. I’m sad to see him go,” I confess.

“If you give me your number, I can give you a call and let you know when he shows up at my house.”

“How about my email?” I counter, because I don’t like how stalkery things feel in my life right now.

“Is it odd that I don’t have an email account?” he asks.

“Yes. Yes, it is.” I crinkle my brow. “Are you and Maxum part of some anti-technology movement?”

He smirks, and damn if it isn’t a classic book cover model pose. The dominant mafia man is here to rock my world, and maybe tie me up and teach me how to be a good girl.

And… I’m a goner again. I imagine his strong, rough hands gripping my hips as he thrusts into me. He tells me I’m his and demands I come around his cock over and over.

Returning to the real world, he says, “We just don’t jive with the computer fad.”

“It’s a damned cult, really,” I agree with a laugh. “I’m sure the whole technology gimmick will blow over any day now.”

“Exactly.” Mr. Fuckolicious chuckles. “But we aren’t anti-tech fanatics or anything.” He shrugs casually.

Then he studies my face like I’m the most fascinating thing on the planet.

Did I accidentally fall into a vat of pheromones this week? I try to sniff my armpit casually, but abandon the attempt for later.

“Oh, I don’t even know your name.” I grab my other bags and carry them to the door.

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