Page 111 of Pucking Wild

“What the hell is your problem?” he growls, jerking his arm free of my hold.

“Mars,pleasedo this for me. I can’t do it. I can’t—fuck,” I groan, dragging a hand through my hair. “Do itwithme,” I offer. “I’ll hold the cat and play with it, and you read the card. The fans will love seeing both of us. Come on, please.”

He goes impossibly still, surveying me. Slowly, he glances over my shoulder, watching for a moment as Novy chats to the camera, pretending he gives a shit about the weird alien dog in his arms.

“I wouldn’t ask if this wasn’t serious,” I admit. If there was one person I can trust with this, it’s Mars. He’s a total vault, nothing in or out. “I—fuck,” I groan again. “I need help, Mars.”

His gaze shifts back to me, studying me.

I let him look. I let him see my fear and panic as I hold out the card again. “Help me.”

He glances from me to the card.

“Okay, Ryan, you’re up,” Poppy calls. “Did you pick your animal? Let’s go, honeybun. We don’t have all morning.”

I wince, eyes shutting tight as I pray this will all be over soon. “Please,” I whisper again. “Please, Mars.”

Slowly, he reaches out and takes the card from me.

I let out a heavy breath of relief and nod. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he replies.

“Ryan!”

“We’re coming,” I shout, spinning around. “Mars and I are gonna shoot the spot together.”

“Oh—” Poppy glances between us, eyes wide with surprise. Like me, I think she’s a little afraid of the surly Finn. He gets out of everything unpleasant with just a glare. “Oh, that’s so wonderful,” she cries, clapping her hands.

“No dogs,” Mars says behind me. “Pick a cat.”

“Sure thing,” I say, hurrying over to the carrier holding the little grey and white kitten.

If Mars is helping me, he gets whatever he wants. I’ll hold a cat or a python or one of those weird naked mole rat things. Hell, I’d wrestle an alligator on camera if it means Mars reads the damn card.

“Oh my goodness, that kitten is double cute,” Poppy cries, hearts in her eyes as she watches me snuggle it. “You’re just the sweetest thing,” she coos. “Yes, you are. Yes, you are.” She ducks down, giving the little kitten kisses, her hands holding to my folded arms.

From behind her, Novy and Morrow glare at me, still holding their squirming dogs. Shit, the looks they’re giving me could peel paint.

“Uhh, Pop?” I say, shifting away from her.

“Oh,” she says with a laugh, dropping her hands away from me, totally oblivious to this new tension. “Are we ready then, gentlemen?” She glances to Mars. “You got the card?”

“Got it,” he says, holding it up.

“What’s the kitten’s name?” she asks, leading the way over to the cameras.

Mars glances down at the card with a frown. Then he sighs. “Miss Princess,” he mutters.

Poppy squeals. “Oh, it’s perfect! She is such a little princess.”

Mars and I both lean away from her exuberance. Over by the camera, Claribel just shakes her head.

“You owe me for this,” Mars say only loud enough for me to hear.

I give Miss Princess a little pat on the head. “Totally,” I say with a smile. My heart rate returns to a normal rhythm as we take our places in front of the camera.

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