Page 6 of Trash and Treasure
Did you hit your head? I can smell his arousal when he’s near you.
Eww—TMI!
His raccoon sniffed in derision.I’d say my sense of smell comes in handy—since you seem clueless.
Not clueless. Cautious. I don’t want to make assumptions.
This is why you don’t get laid more often. You’re overthinking things.
I am not going to take advice on my sex life from a trash panda.
You wound me! I am hurt to the quick!
Mico rolled his eyes.You are such a drama raccoon. I just really like Jack. I don’t want to fuck this up.
At this rate, you aren’t going to get to the fucking part.
Mico flipped off his other half.I want to get to know him. I could use a good friend. Whether or not we can be more depends on how he feels about raccoons.
Raccoons are awesome. Everyone knows that.
You might be biased.
His raccoon made a rude noise.He’s a shifter too, but I can’t identify the scent. So let’s take that walk in our fur and see what he is.
Don’t rush me.
Don’t blame me if we end up old, single, and fuck-less.
That’s not even a word,Mico argued.This is why I don’t let you watch Guardians of the Galaxy more often. It’s a bad influence. You get an attitude.
I was born with attitude. Hurry up. We don’t want to be late for our date.
It’s not a “date” and it’s not “ours.” It’s mine. Let me handle it.
His inner raccoon hissed, then turned around and flicked his tail dismissively before sauntering off.
How do I manage not to get the last word with a damned raccoon?Mico huffed, but he knew his shifter side was just trying to help. He’d been lonely and had wondered more often than he wanted to admit whether he would find a mate. His animal tended to be more direct, frustrated by human complications. Mico wished everything was as simple as his raccoon tried to make it.
Mico took his time with his hair and trimmed his dark stubble into what he hoped was sexy scruff. He even manscaped just in case, although he didn’t think he’d be that lucky, and chose his best-fitting casual jeans. The fickle weather called for layers, so he chose his most presentable T-shirt and flannel combination before digging his hiking boots out of the back of his closet.
He took his coffee and bagel out onto the porch of his house on stilts. The home wasn’t actually in a tree, but the thick support posts provided the feeling of a cozy den in a sturdy trunk, which Mico found comforting to both his human and animal sides. He sat down in a chair and sipped from his steaming mug, stealing a few peaceful moments before the day got underway.
Mico wasn’t naturally a morning person, but he liked the quiet that came early or late in the day. When he got home from work, most human sounds had stilled for the night, and he could enjoy the music of the frogs, owls, and bats. He thought about bringing Jack to see his house and show him the art in his garden. When Mico had a small display at the library, his offbeat pieces had been largely well-received. Hopefully, Jack would see the appeal.
Mico tossed essentials into a small backpack—bug spray, sunscreen, water bottles, protein bars, rain poncho, paper map, compass, flashlight, first aid kit, and his Swiss Army knife, along with a few other good-to-have items and his cellphone. Technically, shifters in their animal form weren’t supposed to be able to get lost; Mico wasn’t sure if his raised-in-the-suburbs raccoon half was ready for the wilderness. Given how unforgiving the Adirondacks’ “forever wild” side could be, he figured better safe than sorry.
Jack had said to pick him up in front of Bear Necessities Coffee and Café. Mico wondered if he didn’t feel safe yet revealing where he lived or if the bakery was just on the way. Mico pulled his SUV up to the curb, and Jack emerged carrying two large coffees and a bag of donuts, as well as an insulated box.
“Hope you don’t mind—I figured I’d bring a late breakfast and a snack for later,” Jack said with a grin. “No bourbon donuts, but I brought a selection of the others for you to try. And sandwiches, in case there’s a picnic table nearby when we get hungry.”
“Thanks,” Mico replied as his stomach rumbled. “This is going to hit the spot. And we’re in the middle of a state park—there’s always a picnic table!” They drank the coffee as Mico drove, and he couldn’t help the happy sounds he made as he enjoyed the pumpkin spice donut with cream cheese icing.
“These are amazing,” he said, and glanced at his passenger, who had a bit of cream cheese on his lip. That gave Mico all kinds of naughty ideas, especially when Jack’s tongue licked the icing away. Mico was left with a choice between figuring out how to subtly rearrange himself or being very uncomfortable from the sudden hard-on.
“Glad you liked it,” Jack replied with a saucy smile suggesting he knew exactly what he was doing—and the effect it had on Mico.
I wonder if he’d be okay with me kissing him goodnight when I take him home. Shit, I don’t even know if this is a date.
