Page 3 of Taking a Tumble
KAZ’RON
“Here you are,” I say, handing the travel cage with a young lupig over to Mrs. Robinson. “Don’t forget! Just a small handful of feed a day. We don’t want this little guy getting too fat! Lupig’s are notoriously greedy. Don’t fall for the sad eyes.”
Mrs. Robinson chuffs a laugh, then walks out the front door of Ruff ‘N Tumble, causing the bell to ring. I really hope she heeds my instructions, there’s nothing wrong with a few extra pounds, but lupigs will get rounder than they are tall if you aren’t careful. Cute as fuck, but very temperamental.
Looking around the store, I see a red balloon drifting down the aisle toward me.
“Hello, Arlo!” I coo once the balloon has reached the front counter. Arlo is a turtle of sorts, but not like the ones you usually find in the human realm. He came from the demon-realm with me when I moved to Ghostlight Falls. His red skin complements my own, and his horns are similar as well. It’s his bright turquoise shell that’s the real show stopper, though.
He loves to wander, and I always worry he’s going to get into trouble or escape, but he abhors being caged in. That’s why I tie a balloon around his shell every morning when we're at the shop. This way, Arlo can wander to his heart’s content, but I always know where he is. It’s a huge hit with the customers also. He’s a town favorite.
I crouch down when Arlo butts his tiny head into my shin. “More scratchies? You’re a greedy little thing aren’t you?” He burrows his head into my open palm, a sign of affection. I chuckle. “Gods, you’d never survive in the wild.”
Good thing he won’t have to. He’s stuck with me for life.
The bell above the door tinkles, signaling a new customer has entered the shop. Pushing on my quads to rise, my knee pops embarrassingly loud. I go to greet the new entrant and freeze.
It’s her. Tabitha. And Holyyyyy Fuck. What the hell is she wearing? Is she trying to send me to an early grave? I swear I’m having heart palpitations just looking at her. Am I drooling? I’m probably drooling.
White shorts show off an expanse of tan skin and thick thighs I want wrapped around my ears. Her top is borderline scandalous, dipping so low it reveals new freckles on her breasts I’ve never seen before. And fuck me, is that lace? It is. The edge of her black lace bra is just visible in the shirt’s gap.
Realizing I’ve been staring like a creeper, I whip my eyes to meet hers. A smug grin grows into a full blown smile when our eyes lock, and I’m absolutely positive she knows I was checking her out. But can you blame a man? A woman like her coming in here looking like that? I have no choice but to stare. Respectfully, of course.
Though there are someverydisrespectful things I’d like to do to this woman.
Tabitha’s hands land on the counter between us, and thank gods it is because that double-boner? There’s no hiding it now. Finally, I gather enough brain cells to speak.
“Hey,” I cough because the word came out as a squeak, like a youngling before their balls have dropped. “Um, hey, uh, Tabitha. What brings you in here today? Looking for a new friend?” There. That was acceptable. Hopefully.
“Mmm, yeah you could say that.” Tabi purrs.
It takes an embarrassing amount of mental fortitude to continue like she isn’t a walking wet dream. “Well, uh, we have several options in right now. Some lupigs, a couple karakeets, that naughty foxkin you helped me catch earlier…” I trail off.
“Oh I am definitely looking for a naughty friend, but maybe something a little more…manly.”
Manly? What could she possibly mean by that? She doesn’t mean…no. My brain is just frazzled from the way the word naughty rolled off her plush lips. Does she mean a tougher animal?
“Okayyyy, If you’re looking for a stronger pet, can I ask what it’s for? It will help me narrow down some options for you. Is it for protection or?—”
Her hand grazing the top of mine cuts me off mid tangent. Tabi giggles and bites her lip, and I think I may be hallucinating the next words out of her mouth.
“Kaz, I’m talking about you. I’m trying—unsuccessfully—to seduce you to come on a date with me.”
When I say nothing, her face falls, insecurity flashing over her features. She steps back, my hand left cold when she pulls hers away to wring it with its partner in front of her.
“Oh gods,” she starts. “I… I thought…oh I’ve read this all wrong haven’t I?” She’s backing away from me now and it’s the last thing I want. “I’m so sorry, Kaz. Please forget this ever happened. I…shit?—”
“No!” She stops in her tracks when I yell. “I mean, yes! No, don’t leave! Yes, a date!”Real eloquent there, Kaz, totally nailing this interaction.
I take a deep breath and try again. “I was just a little shocked that a gorgeous woman like you would even be interested in someone like me. But, please, let me take you on a date. I promise I’m not this weird and awkward all the time.” That’s a straight up lie, but for her, I’ll try.
Her expression lights up, and I can't help but puff my chest a little that I wiped that melancholy look off her face. She steps forward once more.
“I’m the one who asked you out, remember?” She teases.
“You made the first move, let me reward you for your bravery. Maybe this weekend? Are you free Saturday?” I’m not sure where this confidence is coming from, but I will it not to stop now.
Tabi nods. “I can do Saturday. Here, let me give you my number so you can text me the details.”
