Page 120 of Shadow & Stars
“Not a chance.” I stroked his head with my index finger.
I thought about his lifespan a lot myself, constantly willing him to live a longer life, not the shortness of a rat’s one.
“I’m here,” I added. “For talking. For sitting like this. Whatever you need.”
He licked my hand. “You’re sweet.”
“I know.”
His ratty laugh was nothing short of adorable.
We sat for a while, listening to the rain, all cozy on the armchair.
He eventually broke the silence. “I thought I’d made peace with my condition. But thenthathappened and…” He sighed, nuzzling my hand. “I’m so confused.”
This hurt my new heart. “We’ll find a way to make it right.”
“There isn’t one. You know that.”
“I know we haven’t found a solution. It doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Look at what we went through. Look at me.”
He gave me another lick. “My strong bestie.”
“And my strong bestie.” Cue several fusses of that cute little head to chase the sorrow away. “I don’t want to lose you. Ever. I will find a way to make you human again. Permanently.”
It took him a good five minutes to answer. “I love you for that. But at least my not being human is a less expensive mouth to feed.”
I cocked a brow at him. “Oh, my dear little buddy. Don’t ever think you’re not expensive.”
He squeaked with laughter. “Touché.”
The laughter gave way to more sadness. “Darcy…”
“You don’t have to say anything else. I’m a lucky rat. I have love.” He twitched his adorable whiskers. “And so do you.”
I picked him up and showered him in kisses. He complained, but bollocks to him. I’d make his fur soggy with that love he just spoke about.
“Help me!” he squeaked, laughing.
I stayed up with him until sunrise, trying not to think about a life without him.
43
XAVIER
The Greek Island of Mykonos offered stunning blue waters, white sand, and plenty of delicious sunshine.
I was in paradise.
“I’m never going home.” Roman stretched out on the sun lounger beside me. Sunlight sparkled across his toned body, highlighting every edge, every line, making my cock stir.
Those skimpy swimming shorts of his only threw my desire into a tailspin.
“Agreed,” Darcy said. The rat lay on his little pillow under a parasol. If he weren’t here on this private beach with us, I’d fuck Roman on the sand, in the water, and maybe even take a turn bouncing on his cock if the moment arose.
Later…
With him back to full health, we were free to do those things now. It was only a matter of time.
