Page 305 of Hide and Keep

“He’s a cock-block.”

“He’ll sleep on the floor and look at the wall,” I say, despite knowing nothing about dogs’ sleeping habits.

“He won’t.” Crue laughs. “He’ll be on the bed, right between us…”

That’s perfect actually.

“…snoring and farting and—”

“Sorry, Zeus,” I say.

“Find Mom,” Crue tells Zeus, causing the dog to forget all about me to go in search of Phoebe.

“I thought he loved me,” I say morosely, watching his luscious tail disappear around the corner, not even getting a single look back.

“Don’t take it personally. He loves anyone that gives him attention. Or treats.”

Hm.

“What kind of treats does he like? Cookies?”

He chuckles. “No, dog treats.”

“Do you have any?” I ask with as little interest in my voice as possible while closing the door behind me.

If Crue suspects anything, he doesn’t let on.

“Yeah, we keep a bunch in the kitchen. As soon as Zeus hears the cabinet open, he comes running.”

That’ll be helpful.

“Come to bed so I can finish what you started earlier.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“You seduced me in the backyard.”

“I kissed you,” I say as I slowly approach the end of the bed.

“It was a hell of a kiss.”

Not as patient as his mother, Crue hinges forward, grabs a wrist, and yanks me on to the mattress.

We wrestle around for a few minutes, each of us fighting for control, before eventually Crue lets me mount him.

“That’s a pin,” I say, pressing both his shoulders down.

Through heavy lids, he says, “Good girl,” the praise going straight to my core.

“I think you should. Go to college.”

“I’m done with wrestling. I don’t have the same passion for it that I used to.”

“You can go for anything.”

“Will you go with me?”

That’s…an idea. Not a realistic one, but it’s an idea.

---