Page 39 of Animal Instincts
“No kiss goodbye for your poor ol’ grannie?” Gran smiled up at Joss, her eyes wide and innocent.
Bloody hell… He threw a glance at Oliver, but he was preoccupied with petting Bingo, who’d dragged himself from his basket to see what all the fuss was about.
Joss leaned down as though to give her a quick peck on the cheek. “Thanks Gran,” he hissed, instead. “That wasn’t embarrassing — much.”
“Nottoomuch, my boy. You’ve survived worse.”
Joss snorted, but he gave her a goodbye kiss anyway, yet as he began to pull away she placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Very nice. Very nice indeed. But just be careful, my love.”
What the—? But Joss didn’t have time to ask what she meant as she shooed them both away.
“Have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she said with a cackle, as she closed the door.
TWENTY-TWO
But just be careful…Oh, god, no. It couldn’t be that…
Gran wasn’t giving him advice about his sex life. Was she? Joss wouldn’t put it past her. He didn’t have a sex life, but as he glanced through his lashes up at Oliver, as they made their way along the narrow lane that led to the village, maybe, possibly, potentially, that unsatisfactory state of affairs could be rectified. Joss’ swelling dick strained at his jeans, and he tugged down the loose shirt he was wearing.
“I’m really sorry about Gran. She’s made an art form of being embarrassing. She says it gives her something to do. And what she said about it being a date—”
“I thought she was great. An original in a world full of imitations.”
Joss huffed out a laugh. “Never thought of it quite like that…” But Oliver had hit the nail right on the head, and his groaning embarrassment at Gran’s…Granishness… began to fade away.
“And as for saying this is a date, she’s not wrong. Or is she?”
Joss’ heart lurched when Oliver slowed his pace, and pierced him with his serious grey eyes that for a split moment dulled with doubt.
“No! I guess that’s exactly what it is.”
“I guess it is,” Oliver said, his lips lifting in a smile. “Because picking somebody up and bringing chocolates—”
“For Gran, not me, remember.” Joss laughed, all his awkwardness slipping from his shoulders. “Good move, the soft centres. Wouldn’t want her teeth getting stuck together so she couldn’t talk, would we?”
Oliver chuckled. “I’ll bringyouchocolates next time. You know, I think I’ve only walked this way a couple of times, when I first moved here and made attempts to explore…”
Oliver asked questions about the area, and Joss answered, not even sure what he was saying, because all he could focus on wasnext time.Did he want a next time? His heart leapt, tumbled, and somersaulted. Oh, yes, it liked the sound ofnext timevery much.
Next time… I’ll bring you chocolates next time…
Hmmm… Oliver was more mouthwatering than any box of chocolates could ever be.
Oliver’s thick, dark hair shone under the early evening sunlight, its gloss a blue-black sheen and stark against his pale skin, reminding Joss of a magpie. Joss sucked in his lower lip, tamping down on the groan aching to escape him. Dark stubble shadowed Oliver’s jawline, and Joss’ heart clenched as he remembered the scrape of it across his face as they’d fallen into hot and desperate kisses, as he’d wrapped his legs around Oliver’s hips, as he’d fumbled for Oliver’s belt…
Not warmth this time, but searing heat pulsed between his legs. Maybe they could forget about the open mic night and—Joss dragged a hand down his hot, damp face. He looked away, over the fields and towards the first rooftops of Love’s Harbour and the sea beyond. He pulled in a deep breath before his secret gaze slid once more back to Oliver.
Narrow legged navy chinos were teamed with a fitted light grey shirt which wrapped itself around Oliver’s well defined frame, emphasising his broad shoulders and narrow waist. There was no doubt he was looking better, healthier, filling out where he needed to, looking not so awkward, as though he didn’t quite fit.
As they entered the village and made their way along the cobbled streets towards the harbour front, they were met with smiles, nods, and waves.
More than a few people looked at them askance, accompanied by questioning raises of eyebrows…
Saw young Joss with the vet… It’s not usual to spend your free time with your employer, is it… First it was pie night… Been seen walking up at High Top together… And they went to the open mic night…
Joss suppressed a sigh. Gossip travelled faster than fibre optic broadband — not that they had that yet, in Love’s Harbour. Once he found the right opening in the city, any city, he wouldn’t have to put up with this anymore. The thought was as heavy and unexciting as uncooked dough.
