Page 48 of Animal Instincts
“Yes. I’m more than okay.”So much more than you could know…
Huddled together under the blanket, arms entwined around each other and holding tight, exchanging soft, lazy, gentle kisses, Oliver was so much more thanokay.
Time had stopped. The world could wait, because for now it was him and Joss, and only them, under a glittering sky that stretched to eternity and beyond. But the world, in the guise of a sudden, sharp gust of wind, refused to be kept waiting.
They climbed off the bonnet, long since cold, and back into the car. Oliver pushed the key into the ignition, but didn’t switch on the engine. He turned to Joss, his pulse picking up as his eyes fell to the dark shadow, illuminated by the weak courtesy light, on Joss’ neck. The thrill of triumph, of possession, dark and primitive, shuddered through him.
“Come back with me, and stay the night? The whole night?”
Because I want to wake up with you, warm and in my bed…
“Yes.” Joss said quietly, so quiet Oliver almost missed it beneath the hard, thundering beat of his heart.
Almost, but not quite.
TWENTY-SEVEN
“Yes, I can assure you the banana bread is freshly baked. It’s also one of our most popular gluten free options.”
Joss’ smile was kept in place by willpower alone. He’d lost count of how many times he’d had this same conversation with this same woman.
Most of the customers at Harbour Coffee were great, and Joss was more than happy to spend time chatting — too happy, both Charles and Declan had sometimes gently chided — but this bloody woman… All he wanted to do was shove the banana bread up her bum, along with the soy latte she always complained was too bitter. Joss’ smile stretched thinner as she dithered. Why were animals of the two legged variety so much more difficult than the four legged ones, or those with fur, or feathers, or scales, or—?
“If you take a seat, we’ll come and take your order at your table.”
Joss turned to Declan, who’d appeared beside him. Declan’s tone was friendly but firm, the message clear: shift, because you’re holding up the queue. The woman scowled but moved off and Joss and Declan made short work of the customers who’d formed a patient line behind her, and who wanted nothing more complicated than cappuccinos and toasted tea cakes.
“Why does she bother coming here? All she does is complain.” Joss looked across at the woman, hunched over her plate, picking out the sultanas from the sultana packed scone she’d finally decided upon. She hadn’t bothered aboutthatbeing full of gluten. “If she pulls it apart any more, there won’t be anything left.”
“Them there London folk, coming to the village and bringing their strange and foreign ways with them. Talking of which,” Declan dropped the broad, over the top West Country accent, “how’s your job hunting coming along? Anything in the pipeline in the big, bad city? Or at least Exeter,” he added with a laugh.
Joss poured himself a glass of water and glugged it back. He wiped down the already clean and shining counter.
“Joss?”
“No, nothing in the pipeline.” Maybe if he rubbed harder at that stain, which might actually be a shadow…
“You’ve stopped looking, haven’t you? And why would that be?”
Joss peeked up through the fall of his fringe. Declan was grinning, leaning against the shelving that ran all the way behind the counter, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
“You know I’m going to keep on at you, don’t you?” Declan’s grin grew wider, if that were possible, and Joss sighed, knowing what his friend said was true.
“I haven’t stopped looking.”
He’d had a quick look at one of the online animal job sites. Last week. Or maybe it was last month. Hadn’t he bookmarked a job, to go back to and apply for? He’d meant to go back to it… It had looked interesting… It was in London, or was it in Leeds? Or Coventry?
Declan’s chortle dragged his attention back. His grin had turned into a smirk.
“I am still looking.” Joss wasn’t convincing himself, let alone Declan. “But not so much, lately,” he added lamely.
“And why’s that?”
Declan’s voice was softer, gentler, coaxing, all teasing gone.
“I… erm… I haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
“Haven’t you? Are you sure about that?”
