Page 76 of Silas's Sweetheart

Silas’s gaze narrowed on Ziggy’s earnest expression. He sat back to get a better look at him in the light shining from the window. “What about the officer?”

“No one,”Ziggy stressed.“I accepted a date with him, but every time we planned something, I canceled. I just couldn’t do it.” He shivered. “My snake threatened to crush any part of him he tried to touch us with.” He came closer once more, a wicked grin appearing. “My snake has chosen who he wants to lie on.”

Silas felt a lightness that had been missing since Booker had crashed into his office all those weeks earlier. “And who’s that?”

Sounds of ripping material came before Silas could react and he became pinned to the swing by the weight of Ziggy’s snake. His head rose and his forked tongue flicked out, catching Silas’s lips, making him laugh before the enormous head slithered around the back of his neck. Warm, smooth scales slid against his skin, sending a frisson of delight through him. Ziggy took his time before he came to rest his head on top of Silas’s.

“You’re gonna have to explain why your snake likes to do this,” said Silas, reaching up to stroke a hand over the large body pressing against his. “Not that I’m complainin’.”

The snake hissed in agreement and settled himself more fully against Silas, adding to the perfectness of the moment. Silas rocked them both with one booted foot, his gaze on the beautiful night sky. This—he wanted this—for always.

Was this romance?

It felt like it and he couldn’t find a thing wrong with it.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Delicious & Vicious

Wilder:Someone needs to come rescue me… or maybe Jupiter. The man has some serious space issues. My raccoon does not understand what his problem is with me roaming around in a onesie.

Bowie:Which one did you bring? The cute blue one or the white one with the little rabbits on it?

Hollis:Is there a real problem Wilder?

Wilder:It’s a new pink one with a rainbow across my ass. And Hollis, of course, there’s a real problem.Jupiter has locked himself in the bathroom and is cursing everything from the plumbing, to the single bed, to me being too raccoon... whatever that means. How can someone be too raccoon? Will someone swap with me? I’m not sure he’ll survive the night as me and my raccoonness are going to suffocate him with a pillow if he carries on like this.

Lennon:I’ll swap with you.

Isley:Me too. It's gotta be better than getting treated to the tense, silent treatment. Why can’t Laken just let go?

Frey:Booker wouldn’t like to share with anyone but me. I’m sorry, Wilder.

Hollis:Swapping isn’t the answer. We have to address the issues here. All of them.

Wilder:Come right on in and see if you can talk to the closed door.

Monty:Ignore him, it’s what I’m doing to Rue. I’ve found acting like he’s not even in the room is the answer.

Wilder:Anyone got sound canceling headphones with them? And great idea, Monty, except for the noise he’s creating.

Isley:I have. You can borrow them. I’ll drop them at your cabin.

Wilder:Great. Maybe sleeping on the porch might be the way to go, as my raccoon is feeling pretty miffed.

Bowie:What if there are wild animals roaming around and they see how cute you are and want to take a bite of you?

Hollis:I’m sure there is nothing wild roaming out here.

Wilder:Only Jupiter.

Lane:Wilder, I’ll talk to him, don’t worry.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Alphaholes

Jupiter:Dad, you got a lot to answer for sending me here!

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