Page 31 of Reptile Dysfunction
“This is ridiculous,” I mutter to the empty room. “She’s the mayor’s daughter. I’m a former enforcer with a bad back and hair that betrays every emotion. What did I expect?”
My phone buzzes, and my heart leaps before I see it’s just Sebastian checking in. I ignore it. The last thing I need is my brother’s well-intentioned concern or, worse, his knowing looks when I admit how much Sloane’s departure stung.
Outside my windows, the moon casts silver light across Harmony Glen. Somewhere down there, Sloane is sitting across from Bradley at Marcello’s, probably discussing their future together while he pontificates about community development and political connections.
My snakes hiss low with jealousy, like I’m the one being ousted from my own story. At least one of us is having the evening that was planned. Too bad it’s probably the wrong evening for both of us.
The staccato buzz of the intercom startles me from my brooding. I wince as I push myself off the couch, my back protesting every movement as I shuffle to the entry. It’s likely Sebastian checking on me again, or worse, one of the Silver Swimmers with a “feel better” casserole.
“Yeah?” I growl into the intercom, not bothering to check the monitor.
“It’s me.” Sloane’s voice crackles through the speaker, breathless and tired.
Suddenly alert, my snakes rise in unison, and I’m hitting the entry buzzer before my brain fully processes what’s happening. By the time she climbs the stairs to my main floor, I’m standing in the open doorway, my back protesting but almost completely ignored.
When I see her, slightly breathless, as if she’s walked a long way, hair windblown and cheeks flushed.
“Hi,” she says simply.
A dozen questions crowd my mind. Why isn’t she at dinner? What happened with Bradley? Why did she come back? But all I manage is, “You’re here.”
“I am.” Her eyes meet mine, determination and something softer mingling in her gaze. “Turns out I’m exactly where I want to be.”
She kisses me without a second of hesitation, as though she’s been thinking about it since she left my place over an hour ago.Her hands clutch my back, careful of sore muscles but eager to touch. Every snake shudders in pleasure when she scratches gently at my scalp, even the ones still trying to maintain some dignity.
“You walked miles in those shoes,” I murmur against her lips. “Just to tell me that?”
“Worth it.” She presses closer, and my snakes practically fight each other to be able to touch her skin as they make sounds of pure satisfaction. “Though my feet might disagree tomorrow.”
Without breaking the kiss, I scoop her up. Her surprised laugh vibrates against my mouth as I carry her to the couch, my back screaming, but not enough to stop me. “Better?”
“Much.” She’s sitting across my lap as her fingers find my scalp again. Every snake goes boneless with pleasure as she strokes them. “They really like that, don’t they?”
“Greedy beggars, all of them.” But Sterling is already wrapping loosely around her throat while others weave through her hair possessively. “Especially that one.”
“I like that one.” She scratches just behind Sterling’s skull, making him writhe with pleasure. “He’s honest about what he wants.”
“Unlike me?”
Her gaze meets mine, challenging. “You tell me. And don’t you dare use those intriguing eyes on me—I want to give you thetruth because I choose to, not because some ancient Gorgon magic compels me.”
“Would you know the difference?” I ask, voice dropping to that dangerous register.
“With you? I think I’d welcome it either way.”
The words spill out before I can stop them. “I want you. All of you. The journalist who wears thousand-dollar shoes to public pools and asks questions nobody else dares to ask. The Pilates teacher with the balls to speak truth to power. The woman who sees past the enforcer to whatever’s left underneath.”
“You’re not some leftover fragment of who you used to be.” Her hand cups my jaw, thumb tracing my stubble. “You’re still the same protector, still making people feel safe. You’ve just evolved—like a snake shedding old skin to grow stronger.”
To prove her point, several snakes frame her face protectively, while others maintain their watch on the stairs despite my distraction. Always alert, always ready.
“Old habits,” I mutter when she notices, but she just smiles.
“Good habits. Important ones that kept you and others alive.” She shifts on my lap, making every nerve-ending fire. “Though some new ones might be nice, too.”
Our kiss deepens, hunger replacing hesitation. Her hands explore my chest while mine span her waist, pulling her closer as though afraid she’ll disappear again. Above us, my snakesweave patterns of pure desire in the air, their usual coordination forgotten in favor of pure sensation.
When her hip grazes my rock-hard cock, perhaps accidentally, my control slips. A growl rumbles through my chest, and my snakes actually shiver in response.
