Mr.Purr-fectandtheGeek
GoneGeek2
WhenveterinarianRaulisreunitedwithhislostcathegetsmorethanhebargainedforinMiranda,the
sassy woman who wipes the floor with his subpar gaming skills. But Miranda doesn’t know if Raul is
flirtingwithher,orifhe’sthestalkershe’slivedinfearofforyears.Ishethecrazycatguyofherdreams,
ordoeshewanther—deadoralive?
Toallmyfellowcatladies.
<3
1.
ItwasaMondayonaWednesday,andthatwasbeforetheterrierinpatientroomfourtookachunkoutof
Raul’sforearm.Hepressedthetoweltothepuncturewoundsandwatchedblooddripoffhiselbowinto
thesink.
Great.
Hehadafullsetofrooms,patientsforhours,andnoothervetsondutytonight.Theon-callbackup
wasn’tanswering,sohecouldn’teventaketimetogethisarmproperlywrapped.Worriedpetowners
wouldnotbecomfortedifhewascoveredinblood,andhe’dneverreplacehisback-upscrubsafterthe
incidentwiththePomeranian.Whatwasitaboutlittledogs,anyway?Man,theywerecutewithattitude.
Andherehe’djusthadtoundergoafull-scalebarrageoftestsandshotsforthelastdistressedpet
incident.Gettingthemagainwasgoingtobeapaininthebutt.Hecouldn’tblametheterrier.Raul
wouldn’tlikesomeonesqueezinghisanuseither.Ifonlythetechhadn’tletgoofthedogtocheckher
damncellphone.
Heeyedthewoundsoncemore,relievedtofindthey’dfinallystoppedleaking.Aquickwash,some
topicalantibiotic,andabitofgauzewithsomeneon-pinkvetwraptoholditallinplace,andhewas
readytojumpbackintothefray.Itwasn’thisworstday,buthe’dbegladwhentheeveningshiftatthe
twenty-four-hourvetclinicwasover.
“Patientinroomoneready?”Hesnaggedthechartandglancedoverthevitalsandtestresults.Looked
likesomeonewasabouttobeanewmommy.
Hetappedonthedoorwhenthetechignoredhisquestion.
Damncellphones.Hewasgoingtohavetofigureoutapolitewaytosuggestbanningthemfromthe
workareas.
“LolaMarie?”Raulpushedthedooropen,glancingfirstatthefelineballoffurcurledupontheexam
tableandthenatLola’sguardian.
ExceptRaul’seyesskippedbacktoanall-too-familiarpatchofrust-coloredfurintheshapeofa
questionmarkontopofthecat’shead.
Lola—no,Penny?—pickedherheadupandblinkedhersleepy,ambereyesathim.Herpinklittlenose
twitched.Raultookastepcloser.No,way...
“Penny?”hewhispered.
Thecatuncurledherselfandstretched,haunchesup,shouldersdown,tailtwitching.Shewaddleda
fewstepstotheedgeoftheexamtable.
Meow?
“Uh,I’msorry,wehaven’tmet?”Thewomanseatedonthepaddedbenchrose.
Raulcouldn’tlookawayfromthecat.WasitreallyPenny?But...Hisformerfiancéehadtakenthecat,
alongwithhistextbooks,whenthey’dsplit.She’dsaid“fairisfair,”whenheaskedwherePennywas,
whateverthehellthatwassupposedtomean.
“Excuseme?”
Raul’sheadsnappedup.Thewomanontheothersideofthetablehadaonebrowarched,lipspursed
andannoyancecreasingherfeatures.
“I’msorry,but...Thiscat?Wheredidyougether?”Raulreachedout,strokingtheshort,softhair
alongPenny’sback.
“AladyrentingahouseafewdoorsdownleftLolawhenshemovedout.I...”Nowthewoman
glancedaway.“AneighborandIgotherout.”
“Does—Lolahaveamicrochip?”
“I...don’tknow.Imean,IkeepmeaningtodoitbutIhaven’t...”
“I’mgoingtoscanherrealquick.”
Raulknewhewasbeingrude,thatthiswasnothowtheexamshouldgo,buthecouldn’tlookatLola
andnotseePenny.HesnaggedaRFIDscannerfromthewallofdevicesandreturnedtopatientroomone.
ThewomanhadLolacradledinherarmswhenhereturned.Thewayshestaredathimwasplainly
suspicious.
“I’msorry,thisiscompletelynottypical.”Raulpressedhishandtohischest.“I’mDr.C,orRaul.”
“I’mMiranda.ThisisLola.”
“CanyouputLolaonthetable?”Hesmiled,tryinghisbesttoregainhisbestpatientmanner,butnot
havinghishandsonPenny—Lola—wasmakinghimantsy.Hehadtoknow.
Miranda’sgazenarrowed,butshecomplied,crossingthedistance.Herheelsclickedonthefloor,and
thefrontofherblackwrapdresswascoveredinfur.Shedidn’tseemtomindthataspectofpet
guardianship,likemanywomendid.
“WhatseemstobetheproblemwithLola?”RaulstrokeddownLola’sback.
Lola,inturn,shovedherbuttupintheairandrubbedherfaceontheexamtable.
“Thatissoweird.”Mirandastoodback.“She’susuallysuchagrumparoundpeople.Iliterallynever
seeherdothis.”
RaulclickedtheRFIDhandheldscanner,poweringiton,anddidaquickswipeoverLola’s
shoulders,holdinghisbreath.
Thereaderflashedonce,displayingthenumberhe’dmemorizedbacktohim.
Hesetthescannerdownonthetableandknelt,lookingPennyrightinherambereyes.
Holyshit.
ItwasPenny.
HisPenny.
Andshewasallgrownup.
“Doctor...?”
“I’msorry.Really,I’msorry.”Hestoodandtookastepbackandcoveredhismouth.
Itwashiscat.
Hiscathisex-fiancéehadstolen.
Butshewasn’thiscatanymore.
“Dude,Idon’tknowwhatyourdealis,butI’mlosingmypatiencehere.Whatthehellisgoingon?”
“Miranda,right?”HetorehisgazefromPenny,directingitatherguardian.“I’msorry.Ireallyam
but...Iknowthiscat.”
“What?”Miranda’sbrowscrunchedup.Dang,butshewascute.Herhairwascurling,scrunchedup
aroundherheadlikeahaloandherfacewasopen,expressive.Rightnowhe’dbewillingtoguessshe
wasclosetochewinghimoutifhedidn’tsupplyanswerspronto.
“LolaisPenny.I’msorry.I’mreallyscrewingthisup.”HestrokedPenny’sback,partofhimshocked
thiswasevenhappening.“Tenyearsago,myfiancéeleftmeandtookthiskittenI’dbottlefedfrombirth.I
hadPennymicrochippedand...LolaisPenny.”
“Wait.Wait.Wait.”Mirandashookherheadandtookastepclosertothetableuntiltheywereboth
leaningupagainstitfromeitherside.“YoumeantotellmethatLolawasyourcattenyearsago?”
“That’swhatthemicrochipsays.”
“Andyourex-fiancéeabandonedherinahouse...downthestreetfromme?”
“Idon’tknow.”HeloweredhimselftohiselbowssohecouldlookPennyintheeyes.
Pennyfloppedovertoherbackandbattedathisnose.
Whatkindofcrazyworldwasthis,wherehisoldcatwasalsohispatient?
Miranda stared at the vet. Five minutes ago, he’d been Dr. McDreamy material, but now—was he
tryingtotakeLolaMarieawayfromher?Whatwerethelegalitieshere?Yeah,hewashot,butshewasn’t
goingtorolloverandgivehimhercat.
Lolawasallshehadleft.
Sincethebreak-in—andherfamilyconvincedshewaslosinghermarbles—Lolawasallshehad.
Evenherbestfriendswerestatesaway.Therewasonlysomuchtheycoulddothroughtheinternetand
theiroccasionalget-togethers.
Mirandacouldn’tlosehercat,noteventosomeonewhohadabetterclaimonherthanMirandadid.
HerworryoverLola’slethargywasreplacedbytheall-consumingfearoftheunknown.
Therewasnowayshewasgivingthismanhercat.
She’dcommittedacrimetosaveLola.WhoeverSexyScrubswas,hewasn’tgettinghercat.
Whateverittook,MirandawasgoingtokeepLola.ShewasMiranda’sanchor,herreasonforcoming
home,forgoingtowork.Someonehadtobuyherfancycatfoodandtoys.Thatstuffwasn’tcheap.
“Thishasgottobeveryweirdrightnow.Again,Iamsorry.I’mRaul,bytheway.”Heturnedhis
sinfulchocolateeyesonherandextendedhishand.
“Yousaidthatalready.”Sheshookhishand.Inanothersituation,she’dprobablygoalittleweakin
herkneesatthetouchandentertainsomenot-so-politefantasiesabouthim.It’dbeenanawfullylongtime
sinceshe’dhadamaninherlife.Thelastonehadcalledhercrazybeforedumpingher.Butthefateofher
furbabywasatstakehere.
“YoucameinbecauseP—Lola,sorry,hasbeenshowingsomelethargy?”Hishandsstroked
mindlesslyoverLola,who’dmorphedintoadifferentcatandrubbedupagainstthemanwithoutshame.
Thehussy.
“Yeah.”
“Well...”HepressedagainstLola’sstomach,hislipspulledupintoagorgeoussmile.
IfMirandahadhandslikehisonher,she’dprobablybeafanofittoo.Mirandacouldn’tblameLola
toomuchonthatfront.Besides...Dr.Cdidn’tseemlikethecreepertype.Hemightevenbenormal.What
woulditbeliketohaveanormalpersoninherlife,forachange?
“Lola’spregnant.”Raulgrinned.
“What?”Mirandayelped,staringatLolawithwideeyes.“But—shewasfixed.Thevetsaidshewas
fixed.Thescar...She’sfixed!”
“Oh,thisscar?”RaulhookedhishandsunderLola’sribsandsatherup.
IfanyoneelsebesidesMirandahadperformedthatlittlemaneuver,they’dbeshredded.ButLolasat
thereonherbottom,staringdreamilyupatRaullikehewasherkittydaddy.
Whattheactualfuck?
RaulstrokedhisthumboverthelongscaracrossLola’sstomach.
“Yeah,thatone.”Mirandagrippedtheedgeoftheexamtable.
“Shehadanon-malignantmassinherabdomen.Ihaditremovedwhenshewaseightmonthsold
becauseitwasputtingpressureonherkidneys.Thescarseemstohavegrownwithher.That’sabigbelly
ofkittensyou’vegotthere.”HepattedLola’slargetummy.
“How?She’saninsidecat.Shenevermoves.How?”Mirandastared,unsureifshewasshockedmore
bytheimmaculateconceptionorLola’ssuddenone-eightybehavioralshift.
“Maybeshegotout?Anothercatgotin?”
“No,youdon’tgetit.She’sabumponalog.Shenevermoves.”Except...backwhenherhousehad
gottenbrokeninto...CouldLolahavegottenoutthen?Butthatwasoversixweeksagoandfelinegestation
wasprettyfast.Whatif...whatifthestalkerwasback?Butthatwassilly.Whywouldastalkerensureher
catwasknockedup?
Unless...Raulwasherstalker.
Okay,nowshewasgoingoffthedeepend.
Shocklikewhathadbeenonhisfacewasprettyhardtofeign.
“Well,sheisexpectingandprettyfaralong,soI’mnotsurprisedsheisn’tmoving.IfIhadtoguess
you’relookingatalitterofsixorso.”
“Me?”
“Um...yeah.”
“Youaren’ttryingtotakeLolabackoranything?”Miranda’sheartfluttered,eitherfromtheintensity
ofRaul’sstareorthethoughtoflosingLola.
“HowlonghaveyouhadLola?”RaulletLolarollbacktoallfourswhilehecontinuedtopether.
“Sixyears?”
“Really?”Heglancedup.“Shewas...barelytwowhenmyextookher.”
“Sheseriouslytookyourcat?”
“Yeah.”Hegrimaced.“ShesaidIlovedPennymorethanher,andIcan’targuewiththat.Especially
thereattheend.”
“That’snoreasontotakeyourcat.”
Raulsmiled,thoughitwasasadexpression.Allthoseyearslost.Theworry.ItmadeMirandasickto
herstomach.Thisguywasn’therstalker.Hewas...normal.Maybeevennice.
“AndPenny,nowLola,hasbeenwithyoulongerthanshewaseverwithme.”Raulshrugged.He
staredatLolawithasadnessthatresonatedwithMiranda.Sherecognizedthatlonging.Howmanytimes
hadshelookedatsomeoneshelovedandhadtoletthemwalkoutofherlife?
IfsomeonetookLolaawayfromher...God,Mirandawouldgocrazyinthathousebyherself.
“Thisisgoingtosoundstrange...”Raulglancedupather,hisartfullymessyhairfallingforwardover
histannedface.God,hewascute.“WoulditbepossibletovisitLolaandherkittens?”
Mirandaopenedhermouth.
Whatthehelldidshesaytothat?
Wasthisthebeginningofsomecrazy,cat-nappingplot?
“Itotallygetifyousayno.”Raulfishedinthepocketofhisscrubswithonehand,thentheother.
“HowaboutIgiveyoumynumberandyouthinkaboutit?Lola’sgoingtohavethekittenssoon,sodon’t
besurprisedifshestartsnestingsomewhere.”
Heleanedoverandscribbledonabusinesscard.Lolaheadbuttedhishand,asbossyanddemanding
withhimasshewaswithMiranda.
“Here.”Hehandedthecardover.
“RaulC...”
“That’swhyItellpeopletojustcallmeDr.C.”Hegrinned.
“That’samouthful.”Sheeyedthelastnamethatstretchedonforafewsyllables.“Youprobablyget
thisallthetimebut—”
“Howdoyousayit?Chandrasekar.Chuhn-druh-sheh-kher.”
“I’llsticktoDr.C.”Sheacceptedthebusinesscard.
“OryoucancallmeRaul.”Hesmiled.
Damn,butherstomachdidalittleflop.Mirandaswallowed.Raulwasgoodlookingandwanted
somethingfromher.Shehadtorememberthat.Gorgeousmenneverwantedjusther.Therewasalwaysan
ulteriormotive.Butdamnit,shewantedaguytolookatherlikethatfornootherreasonthansex.Hell,
it’snotlikeshewasaskingforarelationship,even,justclearmotivation.
“Thinkitover.I’dliketoknowshe’sdoingwell.”Hetiltedhisheadtotheleft.
“I’lldothat.Anythingelse?”Sheneededtogetoutofhere.Now.
“Nope.Needahandloadingherup?”RaulgrabbedtheplasticcarrierandhelditwhileMiranda
urgedagrumblingLolabackintothetravelcarrier.“Letmewaivethebill.Please?”
“Areyousure?”Ifhedidthat,washeanglingtogetsomethinginreturn?
“Positive.”
Mirandachewedherlip.Whatifhewasbeinghonest?Whatifshewassojadedshecouldn’tseea
niceguybeingnice?
“Okay,”shesaidfinally.
“I’llwalkyouout.”
Thebettertoseewhatshedrove?
Thatwassilly.Hewassonotherstalker.
“Doesshestilldroolinhersleep?”Raulaskedastheysteppedoutofthetwenty-four-hourclinic.The
nightskywasmostlyobscuredbycloudsthreateningmorerain.
“Yeah,actually.Andshesnores.”
“Yes.”Raullaughed,headtossedback.“Iusedtocarryheraroundinthisridiculousrobe,tuckedin
thepocketwhenIwasbottlefeedingher.Icouldn’tbelieveasoundthatloudcamefromananimalso
small.”
Mirandacouldactuallypicturethat.Raulinherdorkygray,polkadothouserobe,akittenswaddled
upinthepocket.Adorablewasanunderstatement.
“Thisisme.”Sheclickedthekeyfobandthelightsflashed.
Raulopenedthebackseatandtookthecarrierfromher,beltingitinlikeapro.
“Thanks,”shemumbled.
“Hey,thankyou.I’vebeenwonderingwherePenny—Lola—endedupforyears.I’mjust—thankyou.”
Heshovedhishandsintohispockets,hismusculararmsflexing.
Yes,and,Pleasecomeover,wereonthetipofhertongue,butthatwasherlibidotalking.Beforeshe
agreedforDr.Cutetocomeoverandcheckoutherkitty,shehadtorunitbyhergirlfriends.Someonewas
boundtohavebettersensethanshedidasoflate,whatwithherrampantparanoia.
“Itwasnicetomeetyou.”Mirandaheldoutherhand.
“Bestthingtohappenallday.”Raulclaspedhersinbothofhis.
“Lookslikeitwasaneventfulone.”Shetippedherheadforward,glancingatthepinkvetwrap.
“It’salwaysinteresting.Drivesafe?”Hebackedupafewstepsbeforeturningaround.
Mirandawatchedhimjogbacktotheclinicentrance,herheadstillspinning.
Holyhell.
Shejumpedintothedriver’sseatandpressedherspeeddialwhilebeltingin.Lolawasalready
singingthesongofherpeopleatfullvolume.
“DearGod,hasthatcatkilledyouyet?”RashaesaidoverLola’ssinging.
“Rashae,youarenevergoingtobelievewhatjusthappened!”Mirandarelatedthehighlightsofher
vetvisitwhilesheheadedtowardhome.
“Thisguy—hewasLola’sowner?Andshedidn’tkillhim?”
“Shewasatotaldoll!”
“Lola?Yourpsychocat?”
“Yes,thatLolaMarie.Andhewantstocomevisitherandthekittens.Ithink...Ican’tfigureoutifhe’s
comingover,anglingtotakeLolaback,orifhe’dwantoneofthekittens,orwhat.”
“Miranda,youcan’tkeepthinkingeveryrandompersonyoumeetisyourstalker.”
“Iknow.Iknow.Ijust...”
“Didhesayanythingaboutwantingherback?”
“No,heactuallysaidshe’dlivedwithmelongerthanhim,sohewantedtovisit.”
“Hecouldbeoneofthosecrazycatdudes,likeCrystal.Thatmightbeworsethanastalker.”
“Iwouldtakethatoverastalkeranydayoftheweek.”EspeciallyiftheylookedlikeMr.Purrfect
backthere.
“Andwhat’shisname?”
“RaulC-something.It’slong.I’mguessingIndian.Hewassupertan,deepbrowneyes,blackhair.
Chan-dresser?No.Shoot.It’sonhisbusinesscard.”
“Chundrusheker?”
“Close.”
“Foundhim.Ithink.DoeshelooklikeoneofthoseBollywoodhotties?”
“Yes.”
“Dude,youshouldhaveaskedhimtotakehisshirtoff!Thoseabs...”
“What?”
“Heisalloverthisonesite.Ithinkhe’sinvolvedwiththisanimalcharitything.There’sapictureof
him,soakingwetwithpuppies.Dearlord.Andyoudidn’tshovehiminyourcar?Whoareyou,andwhat
haveyoudonewithMiranda?”
“IthoughtIshouldrunitbyoneofyou!Youknowmeandmyproblems.”Sheturnedthewheeland
pulledintothedrivewayofherhouse.“We’rehome,Lola!”
“Gobacktothatclinicnowandkidnapthatman.Idon’tcareifhewantsyoutobehissugarmamaor
ifheisyourstalker,hemightbeworthit.Damn.”
“No,I’mnotkidnappinghim.Ican...justinvitehimover.”Mirandaslidoutofthecar,twitchingher
skirtintoplace.
“Yes.Tonight.Andchainhimtoyourbed.”
“Shutup.Icalledyoutotalksomesenseintome.”
“AndI’mtellingyou,unlesshe’sseriouslycrazyornarcissistic—havefun.Youneedfuninyourlife.
Actually,evenifheiscrazy,Ibetyoucouldcureitwithaballgagforanight.Youneedtoletloosea
little,andthatman’sbodyisaplayground.Ifhestartsaskingforstufforwantingalockofyourhair,then
callmetotellyouno.Untilthen—OhmyGod—itliterallyis!Therearekittensandpuppiesplayingon
him.I’msendingyouthevideonow.Hell,I’msharingthiswitheveryoneIknow.”
“I’mhanginguponyou.MaybeTamaraorPiperwillbemorereasonable.”
“Nope.Tamarahasacrazysexdatewiththeprofessor,starting—halfanhourago.AndPiperis
working.It’scrunchtime,remember?”
“AndhereIwaswonderingwhyIcalledyou.”
“Youloveme,boo.”
“Ido.Bye.”
MirandahauledthecarrierintothehouseandletLolaout.Thecatcastherabalefulglareoverher
shoulderbeforeslinkingofftothesofa.
BythetimeMirandamadeittohertablet,thevideoRashaehadtaggedherinhadacoupledozenlikes
andplentyofdroolingcommentary.ShekickedoffhershoesandcurledupnexttoLola,whowasstill
ignoringher,andwatchedfourorfivevideosofRaulplayingwithvariouscute,babyanimals.Itall
seemedtobelinkedtosomesortofanimalrescuecharitything.Thecalltoactionmessagewasn’tvery
strong,butthevideoswerecandy.Thewebsitewassorelylackingandtheirbrandingwasn’tquiteas
strongasitcouldbe,buthavingRaulfrontandcenterwasasmartchoice.
Peoplelikedbabyanimals.
Hotguyswithbabyanimals?
Itwasaperfectstorm.
Mirandapulledoutthebusinesscardandbitherlip.
HejustwantedtoseeLola.Hisformercat.Therewasnoharminthat.Andshewastheonewiththe
crazylibidoandissues.Heprobablyonlysawherasanotherpetparent.
Whatever.
ItwouldbecooltohavesomeonearoundwholikedLola.Apersonwhoknewnothingabouther
paranoia.Anormalguy.
Mirandapluggedinhisnumberandshotoffatext.
What’syourschedulelike?Anyfreeevenings?
FrankKellissqueezedthestressballandwatchedthelittleredbliponhisscreen.
Shewashome.Whereshebelonged.
No,thatwasn’tquiteright.
Shebelongedtohim,butMirandawasafeistycreature.Sheneededtaming.Intime,shewouldcome
tohim.Hewascertainofit,nowthatthelastboytoywasoutofhersystem.It’dbeen—what?Ayear?A
yearandahalf,sincehe’dtaughtthatpitifulexcuseforamanalesson?
Franksippedhisteafromthemughe’dtakenfromMiranda’shomeandsmiled.
Allingoodtime.
2.
Raul got out of his Jeep, practically bouncing on his toes. Ever since yesterday, he’d been vibrating
with...excitement.Anditwasn’tjustbecausePennywasalive.
Though,withhisluck,Mirandawasmarriedwithafullhouse.Awomanwiththosecurvesandthat
smileshouldhavesomeonetoappreciateheronadailybasis.
Thehousewasinanolderpartoftown,whereeachhomewasuniqueandloadedwithcharacter.
Miranda’ssportednewer,dark-graysiding,whitewindows,areddoor,andachimneywithsmoke
curlingoutofit.Hegrabbedhisbag,slungitoverhisshoulder,anddidhisbestnottoboundupthestairs
tothebungalow’sdoorstep.
He’dpausedonlytoshowerandchangeafterwork.Adetailhisstomachwasremindinghimofvery
loudlyrightnow—butPenny!
Lola.
Shit.
Hewasgoingtohavetorememberthat.
Raulknockedoutarhythmonthedoor.Hegraspedtheshoulderstrapwithbothhandsandwaited.
Thesecondstickedby.
Noanswer.
Hetappedhistoesandglancedatthebigwindowsinfront.
Hm.Thelightswereonandtherewasclearlyafiregoing,sowherewasshe?
Thestreetwasmostlydevoidofcars,sotherehadtobearearentry.
Hadsherunoutforamoment?Didshenothearthedoor?Whatwasshedoing?Shouldhetexther?
Leaveandtryagainanotherday?
Onemoretry.
Heknockedasecondtime,firmer,louder.
Soft,distantthud-thud-thudsbeatoutarhythm,steadilygrowinglouder.
Thedoorjerkedopen.
HestaredatMiranda,ahellofrozenonthetipofhistongue.
Mirandawasoutofbreath,eyeswide,awrinkleofworrycreasingherbrow.
“What’swrong?”Raulsteppedinpasther,lookingaroundforsomeemergency.
“Ican’tfindLola.”Mirandapacedawayfromthedoor,herbarefeetslappingonthehardwood.
Fromtheentryhecouldseeintoanofficespaceonhisrightandtoanopen-conceptlivingroom,
diningareaandkitchentotheleftandinfrontofhim.Thefurniturewasneat,ifworn,andtherewasthe
tale-tellcathaironeverything.
“Don’tfreakout.”Heloopedthebagoverhisheadandsetitdown.“When’sthelasttimeyousaw
her?Remember,she’llbenesting,soshe’sprobablyfoundaspotandsettledin.”
Mirandashovedahandthroughhershort,curlinghair.Unlikeyesterday’ssexyblackwrapnumber,
sheworeknee-lengthyogapantsandazip-uptrackjacket.Damn,butthosecurveswerekicking.
“ShewasonthecouchthismorningwhenIleft.”MirandagesturedattheL-shapedsectionalwitha
cat-shapeddipononecushion.
“Okay,doyoumindifIlookaround?”
“Please.I’vebeenlookingforhersinceIgothome.”Shepushedherhandthroughherhairyetagain.
Eachtimeherhairseemedtoget...bigger.Curlier.
Raulcheckedbehindthesofaandunderit.
“Anyoneelsehomewhomighthaveseenher?”Hewinced.Itwasalogicalquestion,albeitafishing
expeditionaswell.
“No...Ilivebymyself.”
“Anyonehaveakeythatmighthavecomeover?Letherout?”Hemadeacircuitofthelivingroom,
butnothingstuckoutasagoodnestingplaceforamamacat.
“No,I...um...”Mirandafollowedhimintoheroffice.
“Wow.Youafan?”HegesturedtothepostersizedvideogamecoversofoneoftheearlierDrudge
games,apost-apocalypticRPGmultiplayerserieshedug.
“Yeah.”Sheansweredwithoutactuallyhearinghim.
Right.
ShewasmoreconcernedaboutfindingLola,whichheappreciated.
Theycheckedclosets,thekitchencabinetsandpantry.Theywentonatourofthebasement,which—
holyshit—wasoneofthebest,trickedouttheater-slash-videogameroomshe’deverseen.Theupstairs
guestroomsappearedtohavebeenuntouchedbyhumansandcatalike.Hehadtowaitamomentwhile
Mirandatidiedupherbedroomforaquickonce-overthere.
Butstill—noLola.
“Wherecouldshebe?”Mirandaperchedontheedgeofherbed,kneesdrawnup.Ifshewasn’tso
distraughthe’dcallhercute,whatwiththepoutinglip.
“She’sheresomewhere.Whataboutoutside?”
“Shedoesn’tgooutside.”
“Thenhow’dshegetknockedup?”
“Ihavenoidea,butLolaisanindoorcat.”
“Canwelookoutside?”
“Fine.”Mirandarolledhereyesandledthewaybackthroughthekitchenandoutintothebackyard.
Thetallprivacyfencemadethesmallspaceintimate.Thepatiowascoveredbyatrellisdrapedwith
vinesofsomesort.
“What’sthat?”Raulgesturedatwhatlookedsuspiciouslylike—
“Oh,that’smycathide.Imadeitlastfallforthisferalcatthatwashangingouthere.”
Raulcrouchedinfrontoftheplastictubsandgrinned.Hecouldalreadyhearthetinymewlsfor
attention.
“IfoundLola.”
“What?”
Hepriedonelidoff,liftedalayerofStyrofoamout,thenthesecondlid.
Sureenough,Lolaglaredupatthemfromherproneposition,nursingherlitter.
“Lola!”
“Istheheatingpadstillon?”Raulpeeredbehindthetub.
“Yes.It’sonatimer...Howdidshegetouthere?Whydidyoucomeoutsidetohaveyourbabies,
Lola?Whatonearthhasgottenintoyou?”
“Well,it’stheperfectnest.Howaboutwetakethewholethinginside?”Raulreplacedthelid,foam
andlid.“Thisisaprettynicehide.”
“Thanks,therewasaYouTubevideo.”
“Doyouwantto...wipeitdownfirstor...?”
“What?”ThewayMirandastaredathim,likewhatareyousaying,hithimrightinthegut.
Awomanafterhisownheart.
Thedust,leavesandstuffclingingtotheoutsideofthetubsdidn’tmatterasmuchasgettingthemama
andherbabiesbackinside.Heunpluggedtheheatingpadandgentlyliftedthewholehide,carefultonot
jostleLolaorthelitter.Mirandaledthewaybackinside,holdingthedoorsandfussinguntiltheyhadthe
newfurryfamilysetupinashelteredcornerofthelivingroom.
“Shouldtheycomeoutofthere?DoIneedtogetsomethingelseforthemtogointo?”Shepeeredover
hisshoulderatthekittenswhileRauleyeballedthem.
“No,actuallythisisperfect.Itmakessensewhyshe’dpickthisforhernest.It’swarm,shelteredand
thekittenscan’tcrawloutofit.Plus,atthisagetheycan’tregulatetheirbodyheatsoshe’dwanttoput
themsomewherewarm.I’dliketoseehowtheheatingpadisplacedunderthetublater,butfornowIsay
leavethembe.Sheprobablyhadthemthismorning,sothey’reallprettytired.”
“OhmyGod,they’readorablelittlejellybeans.”Mirandaplacedonehandonhisshoulderandleaned
overthekittens,cooingatthemwhileLolaseemedtorollherfelineeyes.
IfRaulhadtoguess,hedidn’tthinkthiswasLola’sfirstlittereither.Shewasperfectlyatease.Which
waswhytheonekittenpushedofftothesideworriedhim.
“Nottoconcernyou...”
“What?”Mirandaloweredtoherknees,thentoonehip,legscurledupunderher.
“Seethatoneblackkitten?”
“Yeah...”
“Iwantyoutowatchthatone.Ifshedoesn’tappeartobenursingit—”
“Whywouldn’tshe?”
“Well,that’swhatI’msaying.Mamassometimeswon’tnurseruntsorkittensthathavebirthdefects.”
“Canyoucheckitout?You’reavet.”
“Right.Butitmightnotbehungry,itcouldbesleeping,I’dliketojustwaitandwatchabit.”
“Willitdie?”
“Hopefullynot,butalitterofsevenisprettybig.Statistically—”
“No,no,no,donottalknumberstomewhenmycatisinvolved.”
Raulbithisliptokeepfromsmiling.Damn,shewascute.
“Chancesareit’sarunt,andsometimesyouhavetohelpruntsoutinthebeginning.Penny—sorry—
Lola,wasarunt.”Hereachedinandgavetheproudmamaaheadscratch.
“JustcallherPenny.ShecanbePennyLolaMarie.”Mirandaleanedagainstthesideofthetub,
smilingdownatthekittens.“Ijustdon’tgethowyourexcouldtakeheraway.Whatkindofabitchwas
she?Sorry—that’smymouthspeakingbeforeIthink.”
“I...yeah.Ican’tthinkofherasanythingbuttheEx-Bitch,soI’mbiased.”
“Really—youhavetotellmehowapersondoesthatsortofthing.”
Shit.
Raulrubbedhisface.
Wheredidhestart?
“NavyaandI...”Heblewoutabreath.“Ourparentswerefriends.Wegrewuptogether.Itjustmade
sensewhenwewereinhighschoolthatwewoulddate.Ilikedher,butweweredifferent.Herparents
wereimmigrants,mineweresecondandfirstgenerationAmericans.Therewasaculturaldividewe
neverreallygotover,andthenwewereincollegeand...”
“Yikes.I’mgoingtoneedfoodifthisstoryismuchlonger.”
“I’mstarving.”
“IsitrudeifIsayIwantIndianfoodnow?”
“Soundsgoodtome.”
HepusheduptohisfeetandofferedMirandaahandup.Sheledthewaybacktothekitchenand
pulledatakeoutmenufromadrawercrammedfullofthem.Theyphonedintheorderaftersome
discussiononappetizers,andtookupseatsonthesofawithineasydistanceofthekittens.
“Okay,youwerekids,youdated,youwenttocollege—go.”Mirandatwistedtofacehim,legscurled
underher.
“Lookingback,Icanseethewarningsigns.”
“Youalwayscan.”
“MyplanwastogotocommunitycollegeuntilIhadtotakecoreclasses,thenswitchtouniversityand
startvetschool.”
“Whichissosmart.Ididthesamething.”
“Shedidn’tlikethat.Shewantedtogotouniversitytogether.”
“Ouch.”
“Iknewthedayherparentsofferedtopaythedifferencethatitwasabaddeal.”
“They—what?”
“Yeah.”Raulgrimaced.Eighteen-year-oldhimhadseenagoldenopportunitytohaveitall.Butit
camewithaprice.
“So—whathappened?”
“Itookit.Theypaidforeverything.”
“Andthecatch?”
“Theyassumeditwastimetostartplanningthewedding.”
“Okay.Itkindofmakessense.”
“Wemadeitthroughvetandlawschool,onlybecausewedidn’thavethesameschedules.Bythetime
wegraduated...wehatedeachother.Wewerefundamentallydifferentpeople,andgrowinguponly
increasedthedivide.”
“Butyourfamiliesweresuperintotheideaofyoubeingmarried?”
“Wetried.Andwehatedit.NavyaneverlikedtheideathatIjustwantedtobeavet.Itwasalways
moneywithher.HowwasIgoingtomakemoremoney?Whatkindofmoneywasthereinavetclinic?
Whynotbeadoctor?”
“Sosheresentedwhatyouwantedtodobecauseitdidn’tfitherideal?”
“Prettymuch.Wecouldneveragreeaboutourpriorities.Shewantedmoney.Iwantedtofollowmy
dreams.”Hegrimaced.
“What’ssobadaboutthat?”
“Haveyoueverhadadreamnooneelseunderstood?”
“Yes.”Mirandarepliedsofast,withoutashredofdoubt.
“Yeah?Whatwasit?”
Miranda stared at Raul, her stomach knotting up. He resented his ex-bitch for being a woman with
tenacitywhofollowedherdreams,albeitdreamsRauldidn’tshare.Mirandaswallowed.Asmallvoice
thatsoundedanawfullylotlikeRashaeyelledatherfromtherecessesofhermind.Shetoyedwithher
necklace, twisting the charm around. Why was it at work she could bust balls and not give a fuck? But
takeheroutoftheofficeandshecringedatmakinganyonetheslightestbitunhappy?
IfRaulresentedherforherdreams—andsucceeding—thatwasonhim.Nother.
TheRashae-voicewasright.
Damnher.
“Istartedavideogamecompany,”shesaid.
“Noshit?”Hegrinned.“How’dthatgo?”
“Notsogreatthefirsttimearound.”
“Whichone?Iwaswonderingwhyagirlhadsuchanepicvideogameset-up.”
“Becausevideogamesareforboys?”Okay,nowshewantedtostranglehim.
“No,just—”
Aknockatthedoorsavedhimfromwhateverholehewasabouttodrownin.
Mirandacrossedtothedoor,rollinghereyes.ItwastoomuchtoaskforDr.Dreamytobeperfect,but
thatwasherluck.Theguysshelikedwereperfectinoneregard,andutterlylackinginanother.Theway
thingswentforher,he’dbecallingheraparanoidcrazyladynext,thesamewayherlastboyfriendhad
justbeforehewalkedoutonher.Whichwaswhytheonlymeninherlifewereonesonpages.
Itwaspossiblethetotalpackagedidn’texistforher,andshe’dliveherlifeasacrazycatlady.
Therewereworsefatesinlife.
Shepulledthedooropenandsignedforthefood.Raulwasthere,takingthefoodandbeinggenerally
overlyhelpful.Thewayamaniswhenherealizestheerrorofhisways.
“Ididnotmeantosoundthatway—thatgirlscan’tlikevideogames—”
“Yeah,yeah,I’llstillkickyourass.”
“Isthatapromise?”Rauldidthisthingwithhisface.Itwasasmile,butitwasmorethanthat.It
was...sexy...inviting...Ifsheweren’tirritatedwithhim,herpantiesmightbealittlebitwet.Thesmile
slowlydimmed.“Isaidsomethingwrong,didn’tI?”
“No,it’sfine.”
“Whenawomansays,it’sfine,it’snotfine.”
“Don’tworryaboutit.”
“Miranda.”Hewrappedhishandaroundherwrist,nottootight,morelikeasteadyingtouch.Damn
him,butheevenlookedearnest.Likehereallymeantit.Andmaybehedid.“Seriously,Ididn’tmeanto
soundlikegirlscan’tbeintovideogames.”
“It’s...it’snotyousomuchasI’mreallysickofthatmindset.I’veworkedinandaroundthevideo
gameindustrysinceIwasinhighschool.Iputmyselfthroughcollegeasanadminatagamecompanyand
thengotinonthedevelopmentandoperationssideofthings.It’slike...Ican’tdoanythinggoodenoughto
escapethat,you’reagirl,label.I’malwaysthecrazygirl.”
Sheblinkedandfocusedonthebrightlightoverhead.
Shewouldnotcryinfrontofhim,notforbeingherself.
“Thatreallysucks.Ididn’tmeantosoundlikethat.It’sreallycoolyou’vebeenabletodosomething
you’repassionateabout.”Hedugintohisfood,butdidn’tletgoofthelineofconversation.“Wasthat
alwayswhatyouwantedtodo?”
“Yeah.”
“Youneverwantedtodoanythingelse?Somethingmore?”
“Whyareyousopushy?”
Raulshruggedandduckedhishead.“Ijustalwayswonderifpeoplearedoingwhattheywantto,or
whattheyhaveto.Like,Iworkatthetwenty-four-hourvetclinicbecauseitpaysreallywellandIcanget
aflexibleschedule.”
“But...?”
“ButIreallywanttorunanon-profitrescueandcharity.”
“That’scool.”
“I’dliketogettheresomeday.”
“Ibetyoucouldmakethathappen.”Shebitherlipandtappedherforkagainstthetincontainer.Did
shetellhimshe’dseenhiswebsitealready?
“Somedayisnottoday.”Hesettheemptyfooddishonthetable.“Butseriously,tellmemoreabout
thegamecompany.”
“No.”Shepushedherfoodaround,annoyedatherownstubbornnature.
Theyatewithanoccasionalbitofhaltedconversation,butshe’deffectivelyroad-blockedthem.She
wassotiredofbeingtreatedaslessthanjustbecauseshehadovaries.Raulseemedtogetthedriftand
eventuallystoppedtryingtogethertotalkandfinishedoffhisfoodinstead.
HenoddedatLola,stretchingafteremergingfromhernest.“Shallwehavealookatthebabies?”
MirandaslidoffherstoolandfollowedRaulovertothebox.Lolaproceededtoherfooddishwithout
abackwardglance.Raulpriedthetopoffandtheystareddownatapileofsixkittens...andoneruntoff
byitself.
Raulscoopedtheblackruntupandturnedthefurryjellybeanoverinhishand.
“Yeah,lookslikeshe’snotfeedinghim.Idon’tseeanythingwrongwithhim,he’sjustlittleand
struggling.”Herubbedhisfingersoverthekitten,whomewledandnosedaroundforamomentbefore
givingupandcurlinginonitself.
“Whatdowedo?”Shereachedoutandranherfingertipsoverthekitten’ssoftfur.
“IthinkI’mgoingtoruntothepetstoreandgetsomeformula.Youwanttoholdontothislittleguy
whileImaketherun?”Heplacedtheruntinherhands.
“Okay.”Shecradledthetinythingtoherchest,itslittlegruntsbreakingherheart.
“I’llbebackinafewminutes.Doyouhaveanyhoney?”
“Yeah...”
“Good.Getitout,andI’llbebackreallysoon.”Hegrabbedhisbagfromtheentry,tossedasmile
overhisshoulder,andwasgone.
Mirandastaredatthedooruntilthesoundofanenginerevvedandthenshekeptstaring.
She’dgoneandgottenherpantiesinatwistovernothing.Latelyshewasdoingthatalot.
Sheneededtotalkthisoutwithpeoplewhoknewher.
Runtinhand,Mirandacrossedtoherhomeofficeandplunkeddownintoherdeskchairand
maximizedthenever-endingchatshehadgoingwithherthreebestfriends.
Miranda:Help
Shesentthemessageoutintotheetherandwaited.
Allthreechatnameswereactive,butthatdidn’tmeananything.
Rashae:Helpyouwhat?
Piper:?
Miranda:Dr.Dreamywashere
Tamara:imsohereforthis
Tamara:whathappened?
Miranda:Hehasex/gfissues.AndI’mgoingcrazylady.
Tamara:lame
Tamara:himnotu
Piper:?
Rashae:Thatblows,buteveryone’sgotbaggage,andyouaren’tcrazy.Justcautious.Withreason.
Miranda:Iknow.Ijustduno.
Tamara:youknowyoudontknow
Tamara:yourenotmakingalotofsense
Piper:Forfuck’ssakeTamara,getanewGoddamnedkeyboard.
Piper:Ican’ttakeyourlackofpunctuationinmylifeanymore.
Tamara:suckacock
Piper:Imight.Idohaveadatetomorrow.
Tamara:what
Tamara:withjosh
Tamara:details
Tamara:aftermsortsouthershit
Miranda:Heisbitterattheex-bitchbecauseitsoundslikeshewassuccessful.Andabitch.
Piper:NotwithJosh.Nochemistry,remember?:(
Tamara:thenhesgotissuesheneedstosortout
Tamara:dontsellyourselfshortanddontlietohim
Tamara:ugPukellenme
Rashae:WhatTsaid.
Rashae:Istillvoteyouusehimforanightthough.
Piper:ThenyoudateJosh.
Rashae:There’snowayhe’syourstalker.
Tamara:uhnothxhemyboss
Rashae:Oh,FYI,Imighthaveaninonagamedesignthing.
Tamara:whut
Tamara:more
Tamara:now
Miranda:Iloveyouguys.
Miranda:Whataboutagamedesignthing?Andhow’syoursister?
Rashae:Sam’sgood.Settlingin.Busywithhernewjob.
Rashae:Thegamedesignwouldbeforagamethatjustlosttheirartist.It’dbealotofwork.
Miranda:Youcantotallydothat!
Piper:*thumbsup*
Miranda:He’sback.
Rashae:Wait!
Rashae:Kittens?
Miranda:6healthy,1needstobebottlefed.
Miranda:Raul’sback,he’sgoingtobottlefeedthebaby.
Rashae:Video.That.Shit.
“Hey,I’mlettingmyselfin,”Raulannounced.
Hepushedthefrontdooropen,hishandsfullofbags.
Foramoment,Mirandasatthere,herbrainshort-circuiting.Inwhatworlddidsheleaveherfront
doorunlocked?
“Whatthehelldidyouget?”sheasked.
“Theyweredoingasaleonformulathat’salmostoutofdate.It’skittenseason.”Heshruggedasifthat
madeperfectsense.“MindifIputthisonthecounter?”
“Please.”
Sheclosedthedoor,lockeditandfollowedRaulintoherkitchenwhereheproceededtowhipupa
concoctionofpowderformula,water,honeyand...Pedialyte?
“Why...?”Shegesturedtothesurpriseingredients.
“Well,thislittleguyhasn’teateninawhile.MayI?”Heheldouthishand,andsheplacedthetiny
kitteninhispalm.“ThePedialyteistorehydratehim.Thehoneywillperkhimup.Andthewater-and-
formulamixiswhathe’llneedgoingforward,untilhe’sstrongenoughtoeatonhisown.”
“Oh.”
Shewatched,fascinatedashecoaxedthetinykittenintolatchingontotheteat.
“I’msqueezingthisjustalittlesohegetsatasteofit.Youdon’twanttodrowntheminformula
becauseit’llgetintheirlungs.Therehegoes.”Raulsmiled.
Thekittenpawedtheair,itslittletailstuckupasitgrunted.
“He’sgoingnow.”Raul’ssmilespreadintoapanty-droppinggrin.
“DoyouthinkLolawilltakehimbacknowthathesmellslikeyou?”
“She’sadomesticatedcat,sothat’sprobablynotanissue.Ideally,he’llbesupplementedbyformula
foralittlewhile,atleastuntilhe’sgotsomestrengthandcangetinthereonhisown.”
“Oh,okay.”Mirandanodded.
“Butitmighttakesometime.”
“So...what?”
“Well,doyoufeelcomfortablebottlefeedinghim?It’sanaround-the-clockgig,Idon’tknowwhat
yourbosseswouldthink.”
“Iamtheboss.”
“Yeah?”Raulglancedup,hisconfusionevident.
“IrunGrungeGames.”
“No,shit?Like—how’dthathappen?”
“The,uh,what?”Sheblinked.Hissmilewasnotwhatshe’dexpectedfromastatementlikethat.
“Up,he’sdone.Hangon,littleguy.”Raulputthebottledownandcrossedtothesink.Heflippedthe
kittenupsidedownandranwarmwateronthelittleguy’sbutt.
“What—areyoudoing?”
“Seeingifhe’llpee.Shit.Ishouldhave—”
“No,no,ifheneedstopee,byallmeans,atthisage,thesinkisfine.Iwasjustcurious.”
“Oh,whew.Thereyougo,dude.”Raulturnedthetapoffandwipedthekittenwithadishrag.“Nowhe
cangoinwithhisbrothersandsisters.”
“Canyoutellit’saboyalready?”
“Prettymuch.”
“Life’smysteries—done.”
Raulputthebabybackinthenest,thenturnedtowardher,hisheadtiltedtotheside.
“Now—backtoyou.”
Shit.
3.
Mirandabitherlip,dreadingthisconversationabit.Shehadtobetruetoherself.Itwasthelastthingin
thisworldthatwastotallyher.Ifshelostthat,shewasnothing.
“Whatdoyoumean,yourunGrungeGames?”RaulmirroredMiranda’scouch-pose,onearmup,legs
curled.
“Istartedit.Inmygarage,eventhoughthat’skindofclichénow.Thisusedtobeourmeetingspace.
ThenIsoldittoDarkMatter.”
“Seriously?Whydidyousellit?”
“Because...It’scomplicated.WedidokayonD1,D2soaredwhenwewentwithallthedifferentstory
linesandwesanktoomuchintoD3andrushedgettingitout,soitstunk.Webarelyscrapedtogether
gettingD4out,andbythenIwasworkingonIOUs.Wejustdidn’thavethecapitaltosupportus,inpart
becausewegottoobigtoofastwithoutgoodenoughmanagement.Asfarasbuyoutsgo,DarkMatterhas
beengreattoworkwith.Theirownersignsoffonourprojects,butotherwisehe’shands-offuntilitcomes
tothebackend.”
“How—Why—Really?”
“Um,what?”Mirandachuckled.“Youaren’t,like,pissed?”
“Why...wouldIbe?”
“Youdidn’tseemverykeenonwomeninuppermanagementroles.”
“No—withNavya...”Hesighed.“Idon’tthinkIevermattered.Withheritwasallaboutmoneyand
whatpeoplethoughtaboutus.Ididn’tlookgoodenoughforher.Thisisdifferent.Thiswasyourdream.
Yourthing.Andyoumadeithappen.That’sawesome.I’dbecrazyifIdidn’tshutupandlisten.”
“Really?”
“Look,myissueswithmyexwere...superficialshit.Idon’tgetthatvibefromyou,unlessI’m
wrong...”
“God,no.Themoney.”Mirandapushedbothhandsthroughherhair.“Cliff,he’stheownerofDark
Matter,andItalkaboutthis.Heisabusinessguy.Peopleunderestimatehimallthetimebecausehe’sa
littlepermafriedandhe’saterriblepeopleperson,butheknowshowtoworkabusiness.Hegetsthat.
I...amapeopleperson.I’mgoodatorganizing.ButI’mreallygoodwithvisionandmotivationand
keepingpeopleontask.Isortofloseitinthebiggerpicture.Weworkreallywelltogether,andI’venever
been...he’snevertreatedmeaslessthanbecauseI’mawoman,andthat’sabigdeal.Heknowshecan
trustmewhenIsayaprojectisgoodforthemarket.AndIcantrusthimtosellit.”
“That’sgreat.No,andI’msorryifIcameofflikeadick.”Raulstretchedouthishand,likesomesort
ofpeaceoffering.Sheputherpalminhisandhesqueezed.
Bestillmybeatingheart.
Theflutteringinherstomachwas...shemightbesick.Whatdidshesaytothat?
“Well,nowthatwehavethatoutoftheway—kittens?”Shepulledherhandoutofhisandwavedat
thecathide.
“Theylookgood.Healthy.Andmamaseemstoknowwhatshe’sdoing.I’drecommendspayingherin
afewmonths.She’salittletoooldtobehavingbabies.”
“Yeah,I’dsay.”
“Okay,Ihavetoask.”Thewayhegrinnedwaspuretrouble.“WhoseideawasD7?”
“Youdidn’tlikeit.”Herstarewasflat.
“No,itwasjustdifferent.Iwascurious...didthesameteamcomeupwiththatwhoworkedonthe
othergames?”
“Yesandno.”Sheshifted,sittingcrosslegged.“ThesameteamhasworkedoneveryDrudgegame
withafewexceptions.D7startedoutasagameideatwoofmydesignerscametomewith.Thegirls
wantedtodoasmallrungamewithafemalecastsetinthatuniverse,butdifferent.Exploremoreof
what’soutthere.Isaid—let’smakeitanalternaterealityDrudgegamewiththebrothersassisters—and
weranwithit.Thehatehasbeen...Itsucks.”
“Ilikewherethestorylinewent.IthoughtthatalternaterealitywhereSammydidn’tdiewascool,
sinceitwassopivotalinD2.”
“Right?KillingSammywashardbecausehewassuchafanfavoritefromtheoriginalgameandbythe
timeweknewthat...hewasalreadyscriptedtodie,sonotdoingitandswappinghimforadifferent
character—oradifferentbrother—wouldhavebeenacopout.Plus,Ithinkdoingthisgameattheseventh
mark,sincetherearesevenlivingbrothers,wasreallycool.”
“Sisters.”Raulgrinned.“Whocameupwiththefirstgameconcept?”
“Thatwasmostlyme,thenIturnedmyteamloseonthemanditbecameagroupcollaboration.We
wenttrope-heavyatfirst,andletthingsprogressnaturally.”
“I’vealwayslovedhowdifferenttheyallare.Andcomeon—Balyawasmyfavorite.He’spretty
badass.”
“Youthinkso?”Mirandacouldn’thelpgrinningback.This—thiswaswhatsheloved.Fanfeedback
frompeoplewhogotit.Whoreallygotit.
“Yeah.”
“Wewantedsomethingthatwasmoreinclusive,sohearingthatyoulikeBalis—it’sgreat.Theidea
thatinthispost-apocworldfamilyismorewho-you-pickwasabigthingforus.Weallwantedtoplaythe
gameassomeonewhorepresentedus.”
“Yeah—Ireadthatsomewhere.Ican’tbelieveIneverknewaboutyou,though.Whydon’tIhearmore
aboutyou?”
“Because...I’mawoman.”Sheshrugged.“Imightbethecaptainsteeringthisship,butit’sasmarter
choicetoputaman’sfaceonthings.It’ssomethingCliffandIhavediscussedalot.Ireallyluckedintoa
greatpartnershipwithhim.”
Raulstaredatherforamoment,andGodshewantedtokisshim.Hisconfusionwaseverythingthat
madeherheartbestfast.
“Well,”hefinallysaid,“Ithinkit’sawesomeyouwereabletodosomethingyou’repassionateabout
andsucceed.”
“I’vebeenreallyluckytohaveateamofpeoplewhosupportmeandmyvision.”
“Iimaginethat’shuge.”Hiswordsweresincere,butsheheardthewaver.
“Itis.Butit’snotallperfect.”Shescootedalittlecloserandpulledoutherphone.“Thisismyfamily.
Mom.Dad.Brother.Andmyyoungersister.I’mprettysuretheonlypeopleinmyfamilywhoareproudof
mearemydadandbrother.MymotherandsisterwanttoknowwhenI’mgoingtosettledown.Havea
family.Getonwiththereallyimportantstuffinlife.So,though,mydadwasallformestartingCat’s
Cradleintheirgarageandevengotacoupleofhisfriendstoinvest,hejustnodsandgruntswhenmom
goestohimforback-up.”
“Thatsucks.”
“Yeah,itdoes,butIremindmyselfthatmymomandIhavedifferentlifegoals.Ihavezerodoubtthat
shelovesme.Shehasdevotedherlifetousandhergrandkids.”
“Theylivearoundhere?”
“Kindof.ThiswasthehouseIgrewupin.Iboughtanewbuildwestofhere,thentradedwithmy
parents.They’reaboutthirtyminutesaway,whichisagooddistanceforus,Ithink.”
“You—gaveyourparentsyourhouse?”
“It’scomplicated...”Sheglancedaway,notreadytodiscusstheseriesofweirdbreak-inswithhim.
Withherluck,he’dcallherparanoidandcrazy,too.“Wantsomeicecream?”
“Uh,sure?”
Shebouncedoffthesofa,fullyawareshewasrunningfromthatlineofconversation.
Raulfollowedherintothekitchenandstoodbysilentlywhilesheproducedthreeoptions.Whenshe
finallyfacedhim,hewasstillgivingherthedark,broodingstarefullofquestions.
“Pickyourpoison.”Shegesturedtotheoptions.
“Howaboutyoupickforme?”
“Hm.”Shelethergazetravelfromhisstill-tussledhair,overhischest,thankfultothethreadbaregods
thathisshirtmoldedtoeveryridgeofmuscle,downtohistrimwaistandjeans.
Mirandapulledaspoonoutofthedrawerandpriedthelidoffherfavorite.Shedugoutanicesized
biteandofferedhimtheconcoction.
“Whatisit?”Heeyedthequestionablecolor.Shecouldn’tblamehim,theoff-whiteicecreamhad
flecksofbrown,whichwerelumpsofwhiteandchocolatebitsallinit.
“Tryit.”Shethrustthehandleathim.
Raulbentandwrappedhislipsaroundtheofferedtreat,suckingitoff.Hermouthwentalittledry,
watchingthoselipsofhisworkthefrozenstuffoffthespoon.Hisbrowsdrewdownandhisjawworked,
hisexpressionbothcomicalandadorable.Sortoflikeapuppyexperiencingsnowforthefirsttime.
“Vanillabean,cinnamon,honeyandwhitechocolateicecream.”Sheduginabitforherselftokeep
fromstaringathistongue,alltooawareofwherehermindwasheaded.
“Ineedmoreofthat.”Raulcrowdedinnexttoherandtookthespoonfromherhands.
“It’sgood,isn’tit?”Shewatchedhimdiginforanotherbite.
“Mylifehasbeenmissingthisstuff.Here.”Heheldthespoonforher.
Sheleanedinandtookthebite.
“Up,missedalittle.”Heswipedatthecornerofhermouth,bothcapturingthemissedbitoficecream
andsmearingsomeonher.“Crap,sorry.”
Helickedhisfingerandgrabbedanapkin.
“It’sokay.”Shechuckled,buthewasalreadythere,closeenoughherarmbrushedagainsthisstomach
whileheswipedathercheek.
Hebumpedherchinwithhisfingers,takingfarmorecarethanwasnecessary.Hisgazesnaggedon
hersandforseveralsecondsMirandacouldn’tbreathe.
Thespoonclinkedonthemarblecountertopandherheartratespedup.
Oh,God.
Raulwasgoingtokissher.Sheknewthatlook.Wasprettysureherpantiesweremysteriously,
somehowonthefloorasaresultofthatlook.Andshecouldhardlybreathe.
Hisfingersonherchinshifted,tippingherheadbackandheleanedin.
Sheswallowed,hyperawareofeverything—hercrazyhair,thewayhernippleschaffedagainsther
bra,theheatofhistouch,hisnearness.
Raul’slipsbrushedhersinatantalizingwhisperofakiss.Sheheldontothecounterwithonehandto
makesureshedidn’tfallonherface.Herothertraitoroushandfounditswaytohissideandtangledinthe
softfabricofhisshirt.Hepushedhisotherhandintoherhairandsethismouthfirmlyagainsthers.She
wasprettysureshewhimperedathistouch,hisutterlackofhesitance.
Raulneededtostop.Heshouldn’tbekissingher.Buthertaste.Thathelplesslittlesoundshemade.
Hesuckledherlowerlip,theonethat’dtauntedhimsinceyesterday,andpivotedheruntilMiranda’sback
wastotheisland,hishipspressedtohers,holdingherrightthere.
Shetastedoficecreamandthelingeringspicesfromdinner.Hiscurry.Thegarlic-heavydishshe’d
eaten.Herhandswrappedaroundhiswaist,holdingontohim.
Hertongueswipedacrosshislips,shockingthehelloutofhim.Hershort,springycurlstickledhis
fingers.Onceagain,hertongueteasedhim,dartingintohismouth,strokinghimthesamewayhewantedto
strokeotherpartsofher.
Raul’sresolvetobackupandgiveherspacequicklyerodedintonothing.Heslidthehandatherchin
downtoherhip,splayinghishandoverherlusciouscurves.Ifhe’dthoughtshewascutebeforecoming
over,shewasdamnirresistiblenow.Smart.Sexy.Compassionate.Thatass.Itwaslikelookingatacheck
listbroughttolifeinoneperson,onlyshewasbetterthanalist.
Hebentandpickedherup,settingheronthekitchencounter.Nowhermouthwastheperfectheight.
Herarmstwinedaroundhisneck,pullinghimincloser.Hestrokedinsideofhermouth,deepeningthe
kiss,hungrytohearthatarousedmoanagain.
Shearchedherback,herchestpressedagainsthim.Hetuggedatthezipperonhertrackjacketuntilit
separated.Sheshruggedoutofit,leavingherinthetank-topandyogapants.Preciouslittlebetweenthem.
Thiswasgoingtoofast.He’donlymeanttokissher,butnowhecouldn’tstop.Didn’twantto.
Mirandaturnedherfaceaway,gaspingforbreath,hernailsdiggingintohisskin,pullinghimcloser.
Raulkissedherneckandheardherbreathcatch.
Damn,buthewantedher.Hertaste,hersmell,heneededtogetcloser,drinkherin.Itwasn’tentirely
rational,hedidn’tmakeahabitofmaulingprettyladies,thiswasafirstforsure.Andsheseemedtofeel
it,too.
Heslidhishandupfromherwaisttoherribs,justbelowherbreast.
Therationalsideofhisbrainwascompletelymuted.
Hegrippedherasswithhisotherhandandreturnedtohermouth,rockingintoher.
Shewhimpered,thesounddeepinherthroat.Needy.Wanting.
Heleanedback,soakinginthesightofher,cheeksflushed,lipsdamp,eyesalittleunfocused.Itwas
hotashell—andunaskedfor.
Shit.
Akisswasonething,butthis?Thiswasn’tokay.Hewasastrangerinherhome,andthiswasnothow
heshouldbehave.Itwaswrong,andsoveryovertheline.
“I’msorry.”Raulsteppedback.He’dcomeovertoseethekittens,maybegettoknowheralittle
better.Not—this.“I—didn’t—I’msorry.”
“What?”Mirandablinkedathim.
“I’msorry.”
Hehadtogetout.Now.
Raulturnedandwasoutofthefrontdoorbeforehecouldreallyprocesswhattodowithhisfeet.He
movedonauto-pilot,gettingintohisJeep,startingtheengine,anddrivingaway.Thewheredidn’tmatter,
solongashegotthehelloutofthere.
4.
Mirandatappedherfingersonthedesk,glaringatherphone.Frustrationandmewlingkittenshadkepther
up most of the night. There was something about needy kittens crying for mom that made a vibrator
powerless,despiteherattemptsatfindingsomekindofsatisfaction.Shepickedupherphoneandhitthe
powerbutton.Nineunreademails—andnonewtexts.
Shedroppedthephonebackontothedeskandshovedherhandsthroughherhair.
Theblinkingchaticononherdesktopcaughtherattention.Shemaximizedthescreen.
Rashae:Morning.
Rashae:Anything?
Miranda:Nothing.
Rashae:K,didyouevercallhim?Text?Smokesignal?
Miranda:No.
Rashae:-.-
Piper:o.o
Rashae:Stilluporwakingup?
Piper:Still.
Rashae:Drinksomecoffeeorgotobed.
Piper:Can’t!Datetonight.
Miranda:ShouldItexthim?Imean,hejustranoutlastnight.
Rashae:Ifyouwantanswers—callhim.Showupathisworkplace.
Rashae:Yougoingtoworktoday?
Miranda:Workingfromhome.
Miranda:aka,hardlyworking
Rashae:Ineedtoshower.IhavethatSkypemeetingtodayfortheboardgameandSam’sfinallyoutof
thebathroom.Lemmeknowwhathappens!
Mirandatwistedhernecklacearoundherfingerandclickedthroughherworkemail.Shewasgoingto
missthestrategymeeting,buttheteamwasdoingwell.Theydidn’tneedherforthat,butshehatednot
beingpresent,atleastinmind.
Whywasshelettingaguyshe’dknownforlessthantwenty-fourhourstieherinknots?Afterone
kiss?Okay,itwasmorethanone,technicallyspeaking,butonemake-outsessionshouldnothavelefther
brainsoveryscrambled.Thenagain,withtheyearshe’dhad,maybethiswasablessingindisguise.She
wasfocusedonaliving,breathingpersoninsteadofastalkerthatmightjustbefigmentofherimagination.
Besides,Raul’sbagwasstillhere,aswerethemultiplecansofpetformulaandwhateverelsehe’d
bought.
Shewasdoingitagain.
Knowingshewasdoingitdidn’thelp.
Mirandatookadeepbreathandleanedbackinherchair,runningthroughthelistofmistakesshe’d
made.Mostofthemweremen.Niceguysforthemostpart,buttheyallwantedsomethingfromher.
Maybeithadn’tstartedthatway,butintheendthatwashowitendedup.Shefellforguyswithneedsshe
couldmeetwiththerightamountofmoney,andtheyjustkepttakinguntilshewastheonlyoneinlove.
Thestalkermesshadbrokenherunendingcycleofdisastrousrelationships,butshewaspickingitup
again.Withoutskippingabeat.
Raulwasgorgeous,hetuggedalltherightheartstrings,andheneededfunding.Hergutsaidhewasa
goodguy,notherstalker,maybealittlerougharoundtheedges,butagoodguynonetheless.
Shesnaggedanotepadanddoodledcirclesinsideofcircles.
Attheveryleast,shewantedananswerforhissuddenstage-leftexit,andtoreturnhisstuff.
Thetimerwentoff,andshelurchedtoherfeet.Allherresearchhadindicatedkittensneededtofeed
everycoupleofhoursinthebeginningandsincetheruntshowedneithertheenergytofeedonhisownand
Lolawasn’tyetencouragingthekittentojoinwithhissiblings,thatmeantMirandawaspullingmomduty.
Shepreppedthebottlethewayshe’dseenRauldoitthenightbefore,thensetuponthesofatofeed
RuntyMcRunt-Pants.Thekittenhadalreadyfiguredoutthedrill,andbythetimeshehadhimdrapedover
herthigh,hislittleheadwasswingingthiswayandthat,searchingforhisnextmeal.
Warm,gooey,happinessoozedthroughherasshewatchedthekitteneagerlysuckleatthebottle.She
wasgladLolahadtheothersixundercontrolbecauseMirandacouldn’timaginebottlefeedinganentire
litter.Onewasmorethanenoughforher.
Shegotthekittencleanedupandbythetimeshewasreadytoputhimbackwithhissiblings,thekitten
hadcurledupagainsthershoulder,itslittlescrunchedupfaceburiedinitspaws.
Mirandadugherphoneoutofherpocketandsnappedyetanotherpicture.Thewayshewasgoing,her
phone’smemorywouldbefullbytomorrow.Whatever.Itwasherone,andhopefullyonly,litter.
Thepicturewasoneofthecuteronesshe’dtaken.Thekittenwasfullyfeatured,partofherplum-
coloredhoodiefoldedoverhimlikeablanket.Herlipswereinthebackground,anunintentionalpartof
thephotograph...butkindofflirty.
ShehitthetexticonandpluggedinRaul’scontactbeforeshecouldthinkbetterofit,andoffthetext
went.
“Okay,Runty,youneedtogobacktoMom.”Mirandagotthekittenresituatedandwasrelievedwhen
Lolaacceptedhimwithexcessivemotherlygrooming.Thatwaspromising,right?
Beep.
Thephonechimemadeherspinestraightenandthehaironthebackofherneckriseinawaythathad
nothingtodowithfear.Sheheldherbreathasshecrossedtothecounterandclickedthetexticon.
He’dmessagedherback.Finally.
Isheeatingonhisownyet?
Really?
Shesighed.
Whathadsheexpected?Hewasavet.Ofcoursehisfirstquestionwouldbeaboutthekitten.
Yup.Everytwohourslikeclockwork.
Shebitherlipandwaited.Raul’sreplywasalmostinstantaneous.
Canyoutalk?
Herstomachdidalittleflip-flop.Buthemightnotevenwanttotalkaboutlastnight.Hemightbe
driving,orwanttoknowmoreaboutthekittens,or...She’dneverknowifshedidn’ttalktohim.
Mirandainhaledadeepbreathandhitdial.
“Hey.”Raul’svoicewassleep-rough,gravelly.Shecouldpicturehimscrubbingahandacrosshis
jaw,hishairallmessy.
“Morning.”
“You’reamorningperson,aren’tyou?”
“No.”Shechuckledandpouredherselfacupoftea.“I’vejustbeenupforawhile.”
“It’sbarelyeight.”
“AndIusuallystartworkatseven.”
“Thatexhaustsme.There’sareasonItakethelatershiftsattheclinic.”
“Ihateit,too,butIworkbetterearlier,soIdowhatIhavetodo.”Sheglancedatthebagsstillsitting
onhercounter.
“Hey,aboutlastnight...”
“Yeah,whathappened?”Shetappedherspoononthecounterinlieuofhernails.
“I...”Heblewoutabreath,rustlingoverthephone.“Yougotaminutetotalk?Or—”
“I’mtheboss,remember?Igettomakemyownschedule.”
“Right.”Hepausedandshecouldhearwhatsoundedlikeamattresssqueaking.Washecallingher
frombed?“Ishouldn’thavewalkedoutlikethat,andIreallyshouldnothave...Idon’tknow,kissedyou
likethatwithoutsomesortofokay.”
Mirandafrowned,notfollowinghisreasoningwhatsoever.
“You’re...Letmegetthisstraight.Youwhat?Wantedpermissiontokissme?”She’dneverheardof
anyonepausingmid-momenttoaskthatsortofthing.
“Sortof.Iguess.Iwasastrangeguy,inyourhome.”
“Yeah,butIalsoinvitedyouover.It’snotlikeyoubrokeinandmadeoutwithme.Let’sbeclearhere,
anattractivemancomesovertomyhouse,I’mwellawareofwhatcouldhappen,andI’mfullycapableof
sayingno.”Again,justbecauseshewasawomandidn’tmeanshewasn’tcapableofthinkingforherself.
Andbesides,forthefirsttimeinages,she’dfeltliketheMirandasheusedtobe.Withoutfear.
“Iknowthat.Please—I’mnotexplainingmyselfverywell.Shit.Okay,I’mjustgoingtosaythisandI
knowit’llprobablysoundweird.Ihave—had—ayoungersister.Shewenttostaywithourmother’s
relativesinDelhiaroundthetimetherewerealotof...itwasn’tagoodtimetobeasingle,youngwoman
inIndia.She—disappeared.AndIcan’thelpbutimaginewhathappenedtoher—whereshemightbe—
anditmakesme...Idon’tknow...”
“Oh,Raul,I...I’msosorry.”Sheperchedonastool.Imaginingheryoungersisterjust—gone...she
couldn’teven.Hedidn’thavetopaintinwhatcouldhavehappenedtoher.That—shegot.It’dbeenhard
enoughtodealwithtwoofMiranda’semployeesgettingkidnapped.Ifit’dbeenhersister?Noway.“You
don’tknowanything?”
“No.”
“Nothing?Noonedoes?”
“TheAmericanEmbassylooked,thepolicesaidtheylooked,butshe’sjust...gone.And...”
“Igetit.Youdon’thavetoexplain.That’sawful.”
Shit.
Thelookofhorroronhisfacelastnightmadetotalsensenow.Whatkindofhellhadhelivedthrough?
Hadhissisterexperienced?Notknowing...
“Forwhatit’sworth,Iwasfinewitheverything.”Heatcrawledupherneckandsheswallowed.If
shehadtobepainfullyclearaboutthelineofconsentshecouldbe.
“Good.I’mglad.Shit.Isoundreallystupid.Ishouldhavehadcoffeebeforecallingyou.”
“Icalledyou,remember?”
“Barely.”
Theybothchuckled.Apleasantwarmthspreadthroughherbody.Shewiggledhertoesagainstthe
hardwood.
“Yourstuffisstillhere...”Shebitherlip.
“Yeah,IrememberedthatwhenIwasalmosthome.Ishouldhavecalledyoulastnight.Ijust...”
“Hey,IsaidIgetit.Nomoreexplanations,okay?”
“Iwanttomakeituptoyou.”
“I’mfinewiththat.”Especiallysinceshehadagoodfeelingthatmakingituptohermightinvolvea
littlemakingout.
“How’sLoladoing?”
“Good.”
“Itakeitthekitteniseating?”
“Likeachamp.”
“Good.Good.Ineedtogetmovingbut...”
“I’vegotaconferencecallstartinginlike,threeminutes,sohowaboutyoutextmewhenyou’refree
andwefigureitoutfromthere?”Shewasassertingherself,anditfeltgood.Herrelationshipsoutsidethe
officehadtakenaserioushitwhenherparanoiahitnewlevels.This,betweenthem,wasnormal.Likeold
her.
“Perfect.Ilookforwardtomakingamends.”
“Ilookforwardtobeing...amended...that’snotright.”Shechuckledandshuffledbacktohercomputer.
“Shoot.They’recallingmeinearly.Gottago!”
Frankrolledoveranddidthefirstthinghedidanymorning,hecheckedonMiranda’swhereabouts.
Satisfiedshewasathome,hesettledintohisroutine.
Shower.
Coffee.
Breakfast.
Email.
HewaspleasantlysurprisedtofindhisregularFridayupdateinhisinboxadayearly.HandingthePI
hisassseemedtohavedonethetrick.Themanwasbeingmoreforthcomingthanusual.
Asabonus,today’supdateincludedpictures.
Frankhitprintwithoutlookingatthem.Somethingsneededtobeappreciatedinfullgloss.
HepickedupthesixorsoimagesfromtheprinteronhiswayouttothepatiotosurveytheSeattlefog
clingingtightlytodowntown.
Thefirstimagenearlytookhisbreathaway.
Mirandahadalwaysbeenalovelygirl,butshe’dblossomedintoanevenmoreremarkablewoman.
ThePIhadcapturedherinmotion,glancingup,lipspaintedred,herhairahaloofcurls.Theblacktrench
coatwasagoodlook.Amodernpinup.Hepreferredherhairlong,butfornow,theshorterstylewould
do.She’dneedtobegingrowingitoutagain,though.Hewanteditdowntohershouldersbythetimethey
weretogether.
Therestoftheimagesweremoreorlessaverage,butthatfirstone...ittookhisbreathaway.
RaulpulledhisJeepupbehindMiranda’shouse.Hewaseasilytwiceasanxiousabouttonightafter
makinganutterfoolofhimself.Thentherewerethetexts.AfterhewokeuptothepictureofMiranda’s
lips,she’dsteadilysuppliedhimwithevenmoreenticingimagesthroughouttheday.
Oh,theywereallundertheguiseofkeepinghimappraisedofthekittens,butwhenshehadthreeof
themcrawlingalloverherchestitwashardtonotfindhimselfstaring...
Hesnaggedtheflowersinthepassengerseatandboundedupthestairstoherbackdoor.Shestoodat
thekitchencounter,wherehe’dleftherlastnight,onlynowshewaspeeringintopizzaboxes.
Inhaling,hepushedthedooropenandsteppedin,wipinghisdampfeetonthemat.
“Ohmygosh.”Shelaidherhandagainstherchest.“Nexttime—knockonceatleast?Ijustgothome.”
“Sorry.”Hecrossedthekitchenandsettheflowersdownonthecountertop.
“Thosearepretty.”
“Prettyflowersforaprettylady.”
Mirandawatchedhim,onesideofhermouthhitchedupinaknowingsmile.Wassheawareofhow
badlyshe’dteasedhimallday?
Hecircledtheislanduntiltheywerebackwherethey’dleftoff.Heragainstthecounter,theirbodies
inchesapart.
“IsthiswhereI’msupposedtotellyouit’sokaytokissme?”Shetippedherchinup.
“Youalreadytoldmethat.”
“Idid?”
“Youdid.”Hepushedhisfingersthroughhercurls,watchingthewaytheysprangbackintoplace.Her
lidslowered,andinamatterofsecondstheonlythinghewashungryforwasher.“Doyouwanttoeat
first?”
“Nope.”Shewrappedherhandaroundthebackofhisneck,pullinghimdown.
Hewrappedhisarmaroundherwaist,haulingherupagainsthimanddughisotherhandfurtherinto
herhair.Herlipsworkedintimewithhis.Theirtonguestangled,shebithislip,andhetuggedherhair.In
aninstanttheywererightbacktowherethey’dbeenlastnight,ameresecondfromstrippingeachother
naked.Itwasafrenzied,passionatemomentthatthreatenedtoburnthemup.
Raulliftedherandherlegswrappedaroundhiswaist.Sheyelpedintohismouth,herhandsclawing
athisshoulders.
“Putmedown!”Hereyesopenedwide.
“Nope.”
“Raul—I’mheavy.Putmedown.”Shewiggledandshimmied,buthewasusedtoman-handlingmuch
biggercreatureswithmoredeterminationtobeground-boundthanher.
Heturnedandputherbackagainstthefridge,pinninghertherewithhiships.Hekissedthecornerof
hermouthandsqueezedherasswithbothhands.
“IthinkI’llkeepyouright—here.”Heflexedhiships,grindingagainsther.
Hereyesnearlyrolledbackintoherhead,andshemoaned.Hekisseddownhernecktotheedgeof
hertanktop.Hehookedhisfingerunderthematerialandpulleditdown.
Justashesuspected.
Nofuckingbra.
He’dbeenprettypositiveafteranhourofstaringatthedamnpicture,buthehadtobecertain.
“Raul...”Hervoicewaslacedwithfrustration,desire,allthenoteshithomeforhim.
“What?”Hekissedthespotbehindherearandsheshudderedinhishold.
“Just...I’mnot...I...”
“Hmm?”
“Oh!”
Heswallowedhernextcrywithhismouth,sealinghislipsoverhers,nippingtheswollenbitofflesh
she’dworriedwithherteeth.Flexinghiships,hegroundagainsther,theclothesbetweenthemwereboth
frustratingandcompletelyhot.Hecouldfeelherwarmth,thewayherbodytrembled.Wasshewet?Did
shewanthimasmuchashewantedher?
He’donlymeanttokissher,buteverydamntimetheytoucheditwaslikeanexplosiongoingoff
insideofhim.Hisbetterjudgmentflewoutthewindowandhejust—wanted.Her.This.Whateverthe
hungerwasburninghimupfromtheinside.
Raulgrippedherwithbothhandsandhauledheruphigher,freeinghishandstotouch.Totease.
Shebegantoshiftwithhim,herhipsundulating.Hewedgedahandbetweenthem,cuppinghermound.
Herfingerstwinedthroughhishair,yankinghimcloser.Hepalmedherbreast,thetightbeadofhernipple
easytofindthroughthefabric.Hewantedhertofeel,ashedid,thisinebriatingsenseofdesire.Touching
her,kissingher,itmadehimforgethimself.Shebecamethecenterofhisworld.Hewantedtowrap
himselfaroundheruntiltheymeldedintoonebeing.Itwasmoreintoxicatingthananythinghe’dever
experiencedbefore.
“Raul.”Hisnamewasfullofneedandfrustration.
Yes!
Evenifsheonlyfeltafractionofwhathedid,theyearning—itwouldbeenough.
Heslippedhishandunderthestretchyfabricofheryogapants,holdinghisbreath.Shecouldstilltell
himtostop,thatthiswastoofar.Instead,shewhimperedandliftedherhips.
Nopanties.
Even.Better.
Heshiftedhisbody,cuppinghermound,nothingbetweenthem.Shetossedherheadbackagainstthe
fridge,gaspingforbreath.
“Fuck,”hemutteredagainstherchest.
Hisfingersslidbetweenherfoldsanddeepwithinherwithoutanysortofresistance.Shewaswet.
Soaking.
“Oh—ohmyGod—Raul.”Hervoicetaperedofftoawhisper.
Hepumpedhisfingersinandout,flickinghisthumbovertheerectnub.Eachtimeherbodyshuddered
andherlegstightenedaroundhim.Shesqueezedhereyesshut,helplesswhimperstricklingoutofher.
“You’resofuckinghot,”hewhisperedintoherhair.
Tomorrowhewasgoingtohavezipperindentationsonhisdick,butitwouldbesoworthit.
Hernailsdugintohisshoulderandscalp.Sheinhaledandherheelsdroveintohisass,shovinghis
fingersdeepwithinher.Hemassagedherclit,keepingthepressureon,andwatchedherface.Hewas
captivatedbytheflexofherthroat,herglisteninglips,thewayhereyesweredilatedinpleasure.Hefelt
herorgasm,therigidityofherbody,thewayshetensedattheheightofclimax.Shecameapartinhis
arms,grantinghimafrontrowseattothemostbeautifuldisplayhe’dseensince—ever.
Sheslowly,wondrouslyrelaxed,meltingintohim,goingsoft.
Mirandablinkedseveraltimes,suckingindeepbreaths.
Heleanedinandkissedhercheek.
Sheturnedherhead,herlipsbrushingagainsthis.
“Willyouputmedownnow?”sheasked.
“Canyoustand?”
“Probablynot.Isthereiceonthefloor?”Shepeereddownatthefloor,whereseveralcubesoficelay
scatteredunderher.
“Oops.”
Raulgentlypulledhishandoutofherpants.Sheinhaledsharplyandfistedhisshirt,hereyesgoing
distantforamoment.
Partofhimlovedthatreaction.Theotherpartofhimwantedmore.
Hecuppedherassinbothhandsandliftedherawayfromthefridge.Yup.He’dhadherassagainstthe
icemachinebutton.
“Whereareyoutakingmenow?”Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneckandwhispered,“Bedroom’s
thatway.”
Hisvisionblurredalittle.
Raulclearedhisthroat.“Iwasgoingto—”
“Bed.”
Shenippedhislowerlip,bitinghardenoughitalmosthurt.
Heswallowed.
“Yousure?”Hehadtoaskonemoretime.Justtomakecertain.
“Yes.”Heranswerheldnohesitation.
Healmostranintothedarkenedbedroom.Hisshinsfoundtheedgeofthemattressandhepitched
forward,intoblackness,landingontopofMiranda.Shechuckledandherholdaroundhimtightened,
drawinghimdownfartherintothebed.Hefoundhermouthinthedarkness.Theirhandstangled,each
tryingtogettheother’sshirtofffirst.
Shewonthatbattle.Hesatuplongenoughtotossitoff.Herhandswrappedaroundhisbelt,
unbucklingitandpullinghimfartherupherbody.
“Ishouldprobablywarnyouorsomething.I’mreallyhorny.”Hervoiceinthedarkpaintedapicture
ofherface.Drawn,needy,determined.
“Thatmakestwoofus.”Hepushedherhandsasideandslidhisupunderhershirtuntilhecovered
bothbreastswithhispalms.
Shearchedupintohistouch.
Damnit.Hewanted—needed—toseeher.
Therewerelamps,weren’tthere?He’donlybeeninthebedroombrieflyduringtheirsearchforLola.
Washerememberingthelampsright?
Heletgo,reachingblindlythroughthedarknessuntilhefoundthelampshadeandthenthebutton.
Mirandablinkedathiminthedimlight.
Herduskybrownnipplesbeckonedhimbacktoher.
Raulslidonearmaroundherwaistandhauledheruptothemiddleofthebed.
Mirandayelped.
“Areyouokay?”Hefroze.
“I’msonotusedtobeingmanhandled.”Shegrinned.
He’dtakethatasagoodthing.
“Ihaven’tevenstartedhandlingyouyet.”Hecoveredonebreastwithhishandandleanedoverher.
Miranda’sdarkbrowngazedancedwithlightandmischiefintheirdepths.
Herhandsgraspedathisjeans,thetab.Hegroanedasherhandwiggledpasthisunderwear.He
rockedhiships,thrustingintoherhand.Hereyeswidenedandhercheekssankin.
Theyneededtogetnaked.Now.
Hegraspedthewaistbandofheryogapantsandpulledback,drawingthestretchyfabricdownher
legsashestood.Shelaythere,onekneebent,amodestmovementtoshieldherselffromview.Teasing
himwithwhathe’dfelt,butnotseen.
Raultoedoutofhisbootsandpushedhisjeansdown.Hehadenoughpresenceofmindtotosshis
walletontothebed.Shewatchedhiseverymove,hereyesgrowinglargerandlarger.
Hegraspedherknee,pushingherlegsopen.Shecoveredherselfwithahand,asthoughhecouldtouch
—butnotlook.Hegentlypushedherhandoutoftheway.
“YouknowwhatthreethingsIwant?”Itwasastraintospeak,buthegotthewordsout.
Mirandacontinuedtostareathim.
“Totouchyou.”
Heslidhisindexfingerthroughherslit,whichwasstilldampfromherorgasm.
“Iwanttotasteyouandbeinsideofyou.That’swhatI’vebeenthinkingofalldaylong.”
Mirandawhimpered.
Raulbent,spreadheropenandlickedher.Themuskysentofherfilledhisnostrils,thetasteofher
creamhitthebackofhisthroat.Itwasheavenandambrosia.
Herhipscameupoffthebedandherkneesclosedaroundhisshoulders.Herheadturnedaway,eyes
closed.Whathewouldn’tgivetodrawthisoutlonger,butifhewasn’tinhersoon,he’dcomelikeakid.
Hegropedblindlyforthewallet.Itwasn’tnormalforhimtocarryprotection,butafterthismorning
he’dfiguredpreparedwasbetterthansorry.Thecondomslidouteasily,thewrappertearingwithaflick
ofhiswrist.
Mirandapeakedupathim,herlippinchedbetweenherteeth.Shewatchedhimrollthelatexon,her
browsliftingslightly.
Raulbent,pressingakisstohermoundandstomach,anevilideaticklingthebackofhismind.He
graspedherhips,theirgazeslocking.Herlipsparted.Herolledheroveruntilthebunchedupcomforter
wasunderherhips.Beforeshecouldpressherthighstogetherheslidonekneebetweenthem,forcingher
legsopenwider.
Sheshiftedbelowhim,drawingherarmsin,turningherhead,watchinghimoutofthecornerofher
eye.Herasslifted,brushingagainsthiserection.
Damn,butshewasbeautiful.
Hebent,kissingherlowerback,thenfartherupherspine.
“Thisokay?”hewhisperedintoherear.Sinceshedidn’tseemthevocal-in-bedtypeheadded,“Just
nodorshakeyourhead.”
Herheadnoddedsohardhercurlsbounced.
Wellthatwasanemphaticyes,ifheeversawone.
Hepushedup,graspinghiserectionwithonehandandpalmingthecurveofherasswiththeother.He
foundhervaginawithhisfingersandnotchedtheheadofhiscockagainsther.
Shit.
Hisvisionblurredabitashesankintoher.Sheliftedherass,urginghimdeeper.
“Ohshit.”Hedroppedhisheadtohershoulders,kissingher.“Youfeelsogood.”
Heransweringwhimperspurredhimon.
Deeperanddeeperhethrustintoher,untilhefelthisballshithermound.Hecouldseehertoescurl,
thewayshekickedherfootupandhowherhandfistedthesheets.Hewantedthistobegoodforher,as
goodasitwasforhim.
Hereachedaround,slidinghishandbetweenherandthecomforter.Hisfingerstangledwithhers.
Fuck,shewastouchingherselfrightnow.
Heleanedoverher,thrustingharder,themattressspringsgroaning.
“Showmehowyoulikeit,”hewhispered.
Shehadherfaceburiedintheblanket,hiddenfromhim.Forasecondshedidn’tmove.Thenherwrist
curved,slidingherfingersaroundtheirjoinedflesh,gatheringthemoistureanddrawingitforward,over
herclit.
“Keepdoingthat,”hesaidintoherear.
Hebroughthishandup,cuppingherbreast.Herhandcontinuedtoslidearoundthem,intenton
pleasure.Hethrust,theirbodiesfittingtogether,andshestroked.Herpanting,thehelplesssoundsof
pleasure,roseinpitch.
“Youaresofuckinghot.Fuck.Yourpussyfeelssodamngood.”Heletgoofhiscontrol,drivinginto
herharder,losinghimselfinhertouchandthewayshesharedherselfwithhim,theintimacyofit.
Herlegskickedup,toescurled,hipsarched,spinecurved.Herinternalmusclestightened,drawing
himin,deeper.Hegroaned,caughtunawarebyherorgasm.
Raulsqueezedhiseyesshut,thrustingintoherhot,slickpussy.Herfingerscaressedhisshaft,her
bodyurginghimon.
He shouted, plunging deep into her, pinning her to the bed as pleasure rippled through his body,
robbinghimofallcoherentthought.Everythingexcept—fuck,hewantedtodothatagain.Andagain.As
manytimesasshe’dlethim.
5.
Mirandalayonherback,theceilinghardlyinfocus.Hermuscles—herbones—wereliquid.
Hadthatjusthappened?Again?Well...shecouldn’texactlycountrightnow.She’dlosttrackafterfour.
Tamarawastotallynotfullofshit.
Mirandahadn’tbelievedherwhenshe’dsaidthefemalebodywascapableofmorethantwo
subsequentorgasms.Itjusthadn’tseemedpossible.Man,ohman,hadRaulprovenherwrong.Shedidn’t
wanttomoveforaweek,orevenwigglehertoes.
“Youokay?Needsomewater?”Raulbouncedoutofbed,barelywindedandgrinning.
“Howareyoustillbreathing?”Shestoleaquickglancebelowtheborder.
Shewashalf-relievedhewasn’thard.Again.Herbodycouldn’ttakeanotherroundrightnow.
Raulmerelychuckledandcrawledacrossthebedtowardher.Hekissedhergently,theskinaround
hiseyescrinkling.Hisgoofysmileandhisenergy,theywereinfectious.Hemadeherfeellikeagiddy
girl.
“Hungry?”heasked.
“Isthatatrickquestion?”
Hetossedhisheadbackandlaughed.“No.”
“Then,yes.Feedme.”Shetuckedthecomforterupunderherchin.Eventually,she’dneedtodo
necessarythingsbutrightnowshejustwantedtolayhere.
Raulstrollednakedintoherbathroom.Hewasutterlyatease.Therewasnopost-sexawkwardness.
Noshyness.Hejust...belonged.Usually,ittookafewdaysafterintimacyforhertoevenworkupthe
nervetolookatherpartner.Doingitagainafewtimesafterthefirstroundprobablynullifiedthat
relationshipmarker.
“Stayrightthere.”Raulwaggedhisfingeratheronhiswayfromthebathroom,throughthebedroom
andtothekitchen.
“Ihavetopee.Youwantmetopiddlethebed?”
Hisansweringlaughmadehershakeherhead.
Thiswasprobablyheronlyopportunitytodashacrosstheroomandgrabhernightgownbeforehe
cameback.Lookingathimwasonething,struttingaroundinherbirthdaysuitawholeotherthing.She
tossedtheblanketsbackandstumbledherwayintothebathroom.ShewashedupandsnaggedtheT-shirt
nightgownfromthebackofthedoor.JustbecauseRaulwascomfortablewalkingaroundbuck-assnaked
didn’tmeanshewas.Hell,shewasn’tmuchforthenudestrollwhenshewashomealone,muchlesswith
averyattractivemanincompany.
Herbreathcaughtattherealityofthismoment.She’djusthadcrazysexwithaguyshebarelyknew.
Nottomention,hewashotandshewas...well,shewasn’tbadlooking,butshedidn’thaveherfriend
Tamara’sfigure.Raulhadn’tseemedtomind,butthenagain,shecouldjustbeconvenientforhim.
Whatever.Thiswasgoodforher.She’denjoyitandthen...figureitout.
ShesteppedoutatthesamemomentRaulcarriedinplatesofpizzaonherdecorativetabletray.
“Sciences.Nice.”Hesetthetraydownonthefootofthebedandperchedontheedge.
SheglanceddownatherblueandblackStarTreknightgown,morethanalittlesurprisedhe’dnailed
that,sincetheemblemhadwashedoffthefabricagesago.
“Yeah,itwasthisortheredone.Thatdidn’tseemlikeagoodidea.”
“Oh,noway.Sit.”
Sheslidinwithherbacktotheheadboardandacceptedthereheatedpizza.Shewassohungryshe
barelytastedthefirstslice.
“Thatgood,huh?”Raul’schuckledisruptedherfoodgasm.
Mirandablinkedathim,thenherplate.
“Ilikepizza.”Actually,shelikedfood.Period.Whichwashalfherproblem.Almosteverycon
RashaewasgripingaboutMiranda’sfluctuatingweight.
Maybeshedidn’tneedanotherslice.
“It’sdamngoodpizza.”Raulmunchedon,blissfullyunawareofthelandminehe’djustlobbedather.
“Yeah.”Shesettheslicedown,mentallycalculatingcalories.Piperwasaproatcaloriecounting.
UnlikesuperathleteTamaraornaturallyvoluptuousandfitRashae,MirandaandPiperoften
commiseratedaboutbreathingaroundfoodandgainingweight.Itwastheirconstantstruggle.
“DidIsaysomethingwrong?”
“No,no.”Onemoreslicewouldn’tkillher,andshe’dleavethethird.
“What?Isthepizzacoldstill?”
“No,it’sgood.”
“Thenwhyareyoulookingatitlikesomeonejustfarted?”
“Ihavetofitintoacostumeinafewweeks,andIcanhearmyfriendgripingatmealreadyabout
watchingwhatIeat.”Mirandasighed.Shedidlovefood.
“Whynotgetacostumethat’stherightsize,andnotworryaboutit?”
“Shemakesthem.”
“Okay,thenwhynotmakeittherightsize?”
“Shedoes—Idon’talwaysstaythesamesizethough.RashaegetsfrustratedthatI’mnotmore
consistentorhealthierorwhatever.”
Raulchewedslowly,hisbrowsdrawndown.Hisfiveo’clockshadowwascominginstrong,giving
himmoreoftheruggedlook.
“Andthisisyourfriend?”hefinallyasked.
“Yeah.”
“Doesn’tsoundlikemuchofafriend.”
“Sheis.She’sjustconcernedaboutme.Rashaehadanauntthatlivedwithherfamilypassawaywhen
shewasyoungerbecauseofhealthissuesrelatedtoherweight,amongotherthings.Rashaeissuper
awesome,verydriven,sowhenshedecidesshe’sgoingtodosomething—shedoesit.Idon’thaveher
knackforkeepingeverythingspinningthewayshedoes,sowhenI’msuperfocusedononething,I’lljust
eatwhateveriseasiest,unlikeher,whoalreadyhasperfectportionsofeverythingready.Youshouldsee
myfridgeaftershevisits.”
“I’mjustgoingtoputthisoutthere,forwhatit’sworth.Ilikeyouasyouare.”Heliftedhisshoulders
andstuckhalfthepizzacrustinhismouth.
“Thanks.”
“Stopthat.”Hepointedather.
“What?”
“Icanseeitonyourface.”
“What?”
“Thatwhole,he’sjustsayingthatbecausewehadsex,argument.”
“I...didn’tthinkthat...”Notquiteinthosewords,buthedidhitthenailonthehead.
Raulputhisplateonthetrayandscootedclosertoher.Sheswallowedandhadhalfamindtohidein
thecloset.Ithadalockonitandeverything.
“Areyougoingtopickmeupagain?”Sheasked.
“Yup.”
“No!”
Hehadhisarmsaroundandunderherbeforeshecouldwiggleoffthebed.Onceagain,heliftedher
almosteffortlesslyintohislap.
“You’retense.”Hestrokedhishandsoverherlegsandback.
Whatdidshesaytothat?
“Look,Ilikecurvygirls.IlikefeelinglikeI’mnotgoingtobreakyou.”
“You’resayingI’msturdy?”
“No.”Hepattedherbottom.“Stopputtingwordsinmymouth.”
“So,you’regoingtospankmeinstead?”
“Imight.”
“I’mnotsureI’mintothat.”
“Wecanalwaysfindout.”Hegrinnedatherandabitofhermelted.“AllI’msayingis—Ithinkyour
bodyishotandyourfriendcangofuckherself.”
“Ialmostwanttoseeyousaythattoher,butI’mprettysureshe’dkickyourass.”
“Eat.”Hepickedupherpizzaandhelditforher.
“Youarenotfeedingme.”
“Eat.”
“I’magrownasswoman,Icanfeedmyself.”
“Eat.”
“Areyoutryingtofattenmeup?Isthissomethingyou’reinto?”
“No.”Againhelaughed,onehandstrokingherback.“I’mintoyouifitcounts.Andifyou’rehungry—
eat.”
“Fine.”Shetookthepizzaandbitoffamouthful.Deepdownthewarmfuzzieswereswarming.
Thistimeheletherwiggleoffhislap.Theystoppedtalkinglongenoughtostufftheirfaces.Bythe
timeshewipedherfingersclean,hercellphonetimerwasgoingoff.
“What’sthat?”heasked.
“Kittenclock.”
Shescoopeduptheemptyplatesandtray,carryingthembackintothekitchen.Raul’sfeetslappedon
thefloor,followingclosebehindher.Theytiptoedtothekittennestandpeeredinside.
“Look!Look!”Shesmackedhisarminherexcitement.
“Isee.”Hewrappedhisarmsaroundher.“IthinkLolaisgivingusthestinkeye.”
“But,Runtyisinthere!”
Shewasbeyondthrilledtoseethetinykittensucklingalongwithhisbrothersandsisters.She’dbottle
feedthebabyforweeksifshehadto,butknowinghewasstrongenoughtofendforhimselfwaseven
better.
“Let’sleavethemalone.”Raulsqueezedher,hisheadtuckedintothecurveofherneck.
“Iknow.It’sjustsocool.”
“Itis.Shit.It’sgettinglate.”
SheglancedupatthedigitalclockundertheTV.
“IguessI’dbettergo,”Raulsaidslowly.
Ohplease,hedidnotwanttogoanymorethanshewantedhimtogo.Hewastotallygivingherthe
opportunitytokickhimoutthedoor.Itwascute,inaneyerolling,yeahright,sortofway.Besides,she
hadn’tevengottentothegoodpartwheresheshowedhimhernon-sexyideasforabusinessstrategy.
“Youcango—oryoucancrashhereandinthemorningwecanseewho’sthebettergamer.”She
turned,loopingherarmsaroundhisneck.“Yourcall.”
“Iamoffallweekend...”Heslidhishandsdownherarms,overhershoulderstoherback.
“So—yes?”
Shehadthefleetingimpressionsomethingwasupbythewayhegrinned.
Justwhattheheck—
Raulbentandgrabbedheraroundthethighs,standingandliftingherallatonceuntilshewasfolded
overhisshoulder.Sheyelped,scramblingtograbholdofsomething,excepthewasstillnakedastheday
hewasborn.
“Raul!Putmedown,”shehowled.
“Nope.”Hesmackedherbarebottomwithhispalm,nothard,butthesoundofitstillstartledher.
“Notfunny.”Shegrabbedhisass,exceptthemusclesweresofirmtherewasn’thardlyanythingto
grabholdof.
Raulflippedthelightsoffbeforecarryingherbacktothebedroom.Hedidn’tgrunt,stumbleorappear
theleastbitstrainedhaulingheraroundlikeacaveman.Itwasn’tthemostcomfortablethingintheworld
—butshe’dalsoneverbeentreatedlikearagdoll.
Itwasmorethanalittlehot.
Hetossedherontothebed.Shebouncedandsputtered,buthewasalreadycrawlingupherbody.
Thegamewason.
Raulglaredatthescreen.HowdidMirandamakeitlooksoeffortless?
She’drunhimthroughthelevelsoloonceandthenoncetogetherbeforeleavinghimalonetofigureit
out.Itwasn’tevenoneofhergames,andshewasstillwipingthefloorwithhisass.
“How’sitgoing?”Herstepsthunkedagainstthebasementstairs.
“IhatethisGoddamnlevel,”hegrumbled.
“Thatwell,huh?”Sheploppeddownonthesofanexttohim,feetstretchedouttowardhim.
Hestoleone,thentwoglancesather.
Kneehighsocks...Shorts...Allthebloodinhisbodystartedpumpingstraighttohisgroin.That
slouchylookingsweatshirtwasawfullybig.Couldtheybothfitinthere?
“Lookout!”Sheyelped,pointingatthescreen.
Hewhippedhisheadbackaroundintimetoseehishealthbarplummetandthelaughingskullmock
himfor—onceagain—dyinginbattle.
“Youalmosthadit.”Shegroaned.
“Thenyoudistractedme.”
“It’smyfaultyoudied?Please.”Sherolledhereyes.“Learntocontrolyourself.”
Wherewasthefuninthat?Losingcontrolwithherwaswaymoreenjoyable.
“Stoplookingatmelikethat.”Sheplantedherfootagainsthischest.“I’mprettysureI’msore.”
“Icanmakeitfeelbetter.”
“Stop.”Sheswattedhishandwithanotebook.“Iwanttotalktoyou.Iwasgoingtobringthisuplast
night,butthenyoupouncedonme.”
“Iseemtorecallyoulikingthepouncing.”
Whywasittheonlythingonhismindwhenshewasintheroomwasgettinghernaked?Hewasaguy
wholikedsexasmuchasanyoneelse,butwithMirandaitwashisonlythought.That,andmakingher
smile.
Hecrawledupherbodyandhesworehisverycellswerevibratingwiththeneedtobenearher.
“Raul,I’mtryingtobeserious.”Shewhackedhimontheheadwiththedamnnotebook.
“Wecan’thaveaseriousconversationlikethis?”Heshifted,forcingherlegsapartuntilherbody
cradledhis.
Yeah,conversingwasthelastthingonhismind.
“Canyoupayattention?”Sheflippedthenotebookopenandhelditbetweenthemsohehadnooption
buttostareatit.“Iransomefiguresonrescuestart-upcostsandwhatittakestobeanonprofit
organization.”
Raulstaredattheneathandwriting,hisbrainshortcircuiting.Everythingwentdarkforasecond,as
thoughthepowertohishigherfunctionshadbeencutoff.Heblinked,afewbraincellsstartingtofire,
connectingthedots.
“You—what?”
“Willyougetoffme?Ican’tbreathe.”
Hesatup,blinking,andwatchedherspreadfoursheetsofpaperout.Onewasfullofgraphs,another
oflists,aprintedspreadsheet,andherhandwrittennotes.
“Okay,thesearethestate’srequirements.ThesearewhatIwasabletodigupdoingverylittle
research.Andthesearemyideas.Iknowyoudidn’taskforthis,soyoucantellmetoshutup,butIwas
thinkingthatdependingonhowmanypeopleyouhaveinvolvedyoucouldbeupandrunninginsix
months,lessifyoucancomeupwithsomecapital.What?DidIsaysomethingwrong?”
Hestaredather,notthepaper.Hewasn’treadytoprocessthedata.Thatwasn’thowheworked.
“What?Saysomething.”Shewrappedherhandsaroundherpen.
Mirandabelievedinhim.What’smore,she’dtakenhimseriously.Withoutquestion.Andnodoubts.
Notaone.
Theystaredateachotherforamoment.
Theyweren’tfarremovedfromstrangers,theybarelykneweachother,andshe’ddone...this.
Heglanceddownatthepages,notsurewheretostart.
“When...didyoudothis?”Hepickedupthegraph.He’dalwaysdonebetterwithvisuals,working
withhishands.
“MostlyyesterdayduringameetingIshouldhavebeenpayingmoreattentionto.Igotcarriedaway,I
know...I’msorry.Idothatsometimes.”
“What?Why?”Heglancedupather.
“You’relookingatmelikeI’mcrazy.”
“Maybeyouare.Ijust...wow...”
“Youaren’tmad?”
“Mad?Hellno.What’sthis?”
“That’smanpowercosts.Ididn’tknowhowmanypeopleyou’reworkingwithoranything...”
“There’ssixofus.Me,fourguys,andavettech.”
“Wow,okay,soifyouandthetechcouldhandlevettingtheanimals,that’sgoingtobringyourcosts
waydown.”Mirandastartedscribblingonthepaper.“ThebiggestproblemIseeisfacilitiesandhaving
tomanagehoursorsomething.It’sveryunlikelythisisgoingtopaythebills.”
“Iassumedwe’dallbeworkinganddoingthis.Where...doIstart?”
Mirandapickedupthepagesandsettheminherlap.Hescootedover,andshestartedwiththehard
stufffirst.Thenumbersandthestaterequirements.Fromthatframework,shehadarangeofideas—from
utterlyimpossibletostuffhecoulddoinhissleep.Theybouncedthingsaround,andshemadeevenmore
notes.Insteadofpullinghimbackfromthelandofcrazy,shenudgedhimtothinkbiggeruntilhisheadwas
closetoexploding.
“Iwantedtobringthisuplast...”Mirandapulledoutherphone.
“Uh-oh,what’dIdo?”
“Nothingbad...Ijust...It’syourwebsite.”Shemadeafaceandsetherphoneonherknee.
“It’snotthebest.”
“No,it’sreallybad.Thevideosaregood—let’sbehonest,hotguyandbabyanimalsisgoingtoget
attention—butthere’snocalltoaction,no‘supportthepuppies’message.You’relosingsupportthat
wouldbeincrediblyeasyforyoutoget.”
“Oneoftheguysdidit.Ihavenoideahowtobuildawebsite.”
“Woulditsteponhistoesif—maybe—Itinkeredaroundand—”
“Areyoukidding?He’dprobablythankyou.”
“Okay.Good.IhaveamarketingplanideathingI’dliketoworkon,ifit’sokaywithyouandyour
team.Thefirstthingyouguysneedtodoisfigureoutaname,wecandrawupthepaperworkandgetthat
going.Then,it’stimetothinkaboutbuildingyourcapital,maybesomefundraisers.Areyouguyskeeping
animalsor—?”
“Yes.”Hescrubbedahandoverhisface.
“What’sup?Idon’tlikethatface.”
“Wekeeptheanimaswerescueatthehouse.”
“Thehouse?Isthislike—alocation?Afacility?”
“No.Ourhouse.Ilivewiththeguys.Werentahouseandhopethemanagementcompanydoesn’tmake
asurprisevisit.”
“Oh,dear.DoIwanttoaskhowmanyyouhave—?”
“Please,don’t.EverytimeIcomehomethere’sanotheranimalthere.”
“Okay,soadoptioneventsneedtobeatthetopofthelist,whichwillalsobringinmoney.
Fundraisers.Adoptionevents.Gotit.”
Shebentherhead,hercurlsbobbingasshewrotedownmoreofthosemillion-dollarideasswimming
aroundinherhead.
Whathadheeverdonetodeservecrashingintosuchanamazingwoman?
6.
Miranda nearly bounced with excitement—and it wasn’t even anything she was involved with. Raul’s
passionwascontagious.Shecouldn’thelpwantinghimtosucceed.
AnewwebsiteandbetterSEOwouldincreasetheirdigitalfootprintsignificantly.Somedecent
brandingonthevideos,alittlebitofmarketing,andshewassurethey’dgaintraction.Butallofthat
wouldcostmoney.AndifRaulwasputtingeverythinghehadintotherescueanimalstheyhad...where
werethefundscomingfrom?
Shejotteddownafewthingstokeepherhandsbusy.
Itwouldn’tbeabigdealtochipin.Tohelp.But...
Sheswallowed.
Thiswashowitstarted.Allthetime.
No,helpingwithabusinessplan,awebsite,andthevisionwasn’tabigdeal.Itwasn’tlikeitwould
takeachunkofchange.Butthenwhat?Therewouldbecosts.Fortheanimals.Forupkeep...Andshe
knewherself.Shewasgoingtowanttohelp.
Andthenwhat?
WhathappenedwhenRaulgottiredofher?Whenshebecametheirgo-toforfunding?
Italwayshappenedthisway.
Shebitherlip.
Didshebailnow?Backoutwhileshestillcould?
SheglancedupatRaul.He’dbeguntalking,andshe’dhalf-heartedlylistenedtohisgushingideasfor
bowsoncollarsandthemedholidaywear.Thatpassion...Shecouldseehimlightingthefires,keeping
peoplegoing.Hewaslikeher,inthatregard.Itwaswhatshewasgoodat.Butwhatcamelater?
Heturnedthatinfernoonher,theexcitementbeamingoutofhim.Shegrinned,becauseshecouldn’tbe
aroundhimandnotsmile.It’dbeenalongtimesinceshe’dhadsomethingtobehappyaboutthatwasn’t
workrelated.
Raulleanedoverandkissedher,hishandsinherhair,hislipssofteningagainsthers.
She—melted.Therewasnootherwaytodescribehowherbodyreactedtohim,howhermindwent
blankandherbodywarmed.Shejust...melted.Maybebecausehe’dsomewhatnullifiedherphysical
insecuritiesandeverytouchandcaressbuiltonthat,ormaybebecauseshejustwantedhimbadlyenough,
shecouldn’tputthebrakeson.Hegaveherareasontonotstareintotheshadowsandbeafraid.
Hepulledback,swipinghisthumboverhermouth.
“You—areamazing.”Hebenttopickupthepapersthathadscattered,andhandedherthecontroller.
“Yourturn.”
“You’restillonthislevel?”Shesigheddramatically,butshecouldn’tblamehim.Hewastryingiton
theKillersettingwithaleveltwentycharacter.Itwasaboutasimpossibleashecouldget.Shecoulddo
it,butthatwasbecausethiswasherlife.
“Showmeagain.”
“Fine.”
Shesetthepapersandnotesonthesidetable,crossedonelegunderherandlettheotherdangleoff
theleathersofa.Thepositionassumed,sherestartedthelevelfromthebeginning.
ItwasreallyunfairtoRaultocompetewithhim.Evenifitwasn’taGrungeGamescreation,itwas
stillaDarkMattergame,whichmeantshe’dhaditlongbeforeithadbeenreleasedtothepublic.Still,
shelikedagooddungeoncrawlerasgoodasthenextperson.
“Fuckinghell—youjustblewpastthem.”Hethrewuphishand.
“Yup.”Ifhehadn’tfiguredouttheclassabilitiesandhowtopowerthroughthem—thatwashisfault.
“Goddamnit.Howdidyoudothat?”
“Shutup.I’mtryingtokillthingsandyourchittychat-chat-chatneedstostop.”
“Excuseme.”
“There’sthestairs.”
Hervisionnarrowedtothescreen.Sheknewwhatcamenext,howlongtolethermanabuildbefore
shechargedthenextgroupofmonstersandhowtolayhertrapstoensureshecouldhandlethemtwoata
time.Asmanytimesashe’dattemptedthelevel,Raulshouldhavesomeofitfiguredoutbynow.
“What—what—whatareyoudoing?”ShehitthepauseandlookeddownatRaul.
Hecrouchedinfrontofheronhisknees,onehandupunderhersweatshirt.Theguiltylookonhisface
wasalmostcute.
“WhatdoesitlooklikeI’mdoing?”Heslidhisfingersupunderherbra.
IttookaHerculeanefforttonotreact.Tonotarchherbackintohistouch.
“I’mtryingtobeatthelevelforyou,mister.”Shemanagedasternexpression.
“Keepgoing.Don’tmindme.Orareyounotgoodenough?”Hepushedherbraupoverherbreasts.
Shewaveredbetweencallinghimonhisshitandreactingtothechallenge.Shewasgoodenough.
Whenitcametogames,she’dalwaysbeengood—orbetter.Hewassimplyanimp.Ifshestopped,she
wasprettysurehe’dpesterheraboutitallweekend.Ifshekeptgoing,well,shecouldrubhisprettyface
init.Eitherway,thiswasfun.Andherlifeneededmoreofthat.
“Fine.”Shebitoffthewordandjabbedthegamebackintoaction.
Heatcrawledupherneckandpooledbetweenherlegs.Shehadtopowerthroughthisbeforehegot
toocreative.AndRaulwascreative.Andtalented.And...ooohhh,thatspot...
Mirandadroppedthefirstsetoftraps,thenthesecond,pullingthecavernmonsterstowardheravatar.
Raul’sheadbumpedthecontrollerandshescowledatthescreen,barelygettingthefirstshotoffintimeto
takeouttheforwardrank.
“Hey,you’removingaroundtoomuch,”shegrumbled.
“I’mwhereIwannabe.”Raul’sheadandarmswereinhersweatshirt.Allshecouldseeofhimwas
hisbackandbutt.
Focus...notonhim...
Hisfingersstrokedoverhernipplesandshegritherteeth.Shecountedthesecondsandwatchedthe
nextsetofmonstersslipthroughthetrapandcloseranksonheravatar.Raul’smouthwrappedaroundher,
histonguerubbingagainsther.
Fuck,thiswassonotfair.
Shesuckedinadeepbreathanddeployedhersecondattack.Inaslittleasthirtyseconds,she’d
dispatchedtheherdofcavernclingers,andtakenoffdowntheleftfork.Usuallyshe’dcrawlthedungeon
abit,pickingupwhateverlootshecouldget,butrightnowitwasaracetothefinish.
Raulswitchedbreasts,teasingonenipplewithhisfingersandtheotherwithhisteeth.Sheslidfurther
downthesofa,provingthatshewasn’timpervioustomelting,evenwhentryingtofocus.
Damnhim.
“Howyoudoing?”Hepeeredupather,stretchingtheneckofthesweatshirtoutabitmore.
“Fine.”
“Justchecking.”
Whydidshenotlikethetoneofhisvoice?
Shedidn’thaveamomenttopuzzleitout,themid-levelchallengewasjustahead,andsheneeded
moremana.
Raulshifted.Shefelthisfingersagainstherinnerthigh.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Shepausedthegameandglareddownthefrontofhershirtathim.
“What?Can’tconcentrate?”Heranthebackofhisfingersoverherslit.
Therewasnowayshecouldfocusonsurvivingthelasthalfofthelevelwithhimdoingthat.Noway
possible.Ifsherememberedright,itwouldtakeatleastfifteenminutestoknockoutthewholelevelafter
shebeatthemid-levelchallenge,aparticularlynastycavewormwhoshotpoisonspikythings.
“Don’tmindme.”Raullickedherbreastandshesuckeddownadeepbreath.
Oh,hewassogoingtoregretthis.
Shecoulddothis.
Mirandagritherteethandstaredatthescreen.Onebonusfromjuststandingaround,hermanasupply
waswheresheneededit.Shepushedtheavatarintoafull-tiltrun.Ifshecouldn’ttakethetimetobeatthe
challenge,shecouldalwaystrytorunthroughit.Which,atthischaracterlevel,mightbethesmartestthing
todo.
Raul’sfingersgentlypartedherfolds.Shebitherliptokeepfromgroaning,hookedherthumbaround
thejoystickandkeptherfingersfirmlymashedagainstthehardplasticcasing.
Theavatarroundedthebendinthecavernandshedeployedthespiritguide,asortofdecoythat
wouldtakedamagebeforehercharacter.Acouplestridesandtheonslaughtoftheattackbegan.
AtalmostthesamedamnmomentthatMirandamovedthejoystick,Raulslidasinglefingerintoher.
Sheshifted,movingherhips.Hepushedherfootovertheedgeofthesofaandkissedherstomach.
Damnhim.
Damnhimalot.
Shepushedafewbuttonsatrandom,burningthroughsomeofherstoredmanawithnobenefittoher
progresswhatsoeverbeforeherbrainkickedin.
Thegame.Thegame.Thegame.
Swivelingthejoystick,shenavigatedtheavatarthroughthepoisongasminefieldandoutofrange
fromtheworm.
Raul’sknucklesbrushedherandhisfingercurleddeepwithinher.
Shewasgoingtobitethroughherlipifhekeptthisup.
Mirandabreathed,andpushedon.Thehealthbarwasfarlowerthanshe’dlike,andthesecondhalfof
thelevelwasprogressivelyharder.NotthatRaulknewthat,becausehekeptgettingboggeddownatthe
beginning.Hereallyneededtostopchoosingrangecharacterswhenwhatheneededwasagoodtank,but
hehadn’tasked,soshehadn’tsuggested.
Hepumpedanotherfingerinherandlickedherbreast,swirlinghistonguearoundthetightnipple.
Therewasnowayhecouldmissherracingheartbeat.
Damnhim.
Shestoppedbyahealingorb,replenishingherhealth,andtookthemomentofcalmtolethereyes
flutterclosed.
God,Raulhadtalentedfingers.
“How’sitgoing?”heaskedagain.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
Hegentlymassagedherclit.
Sheswallowed.
Fuck.
Mirandashifted,sittingupabitandeffectivelyhamperingRaul’smovement.Shepoweredthrough
anotherbitofthelevel,scoringanicechunkoflootintheprocess.Bythetimeshehitherstride—Raul
foundhis.
Hisfingersslidforward,overhermoundandclit,andbackinsideofher.Sheswallowedandfought
tokeephereyesopen.
Fuuuuuuuckthatfeltgood.
Justalittlebitfurther—andshe’deithercomeorreachtheend.
Ifshetotallybypassedthemonstersandmadearunforit...maybeshecouldfinishthegamefirst...It
wasaterribleidea,becauseassheprogressed,thedungeonmonsterswouldsimplyamassbehindher,
rightonhertail.Butitwasthatorstopplaying.Andshewasfartoocompetitivetogiveuplikethat.
Joystickpushedallthewayforward,sheran,tossingdowntrapsandusingthedistanceweapontoput
downthemoredangerouscreatures,allwhileRaulpumpedinandoutofherpussy.Shesquirmed,though
shedidn’twantto.
Heappliedmorepressuretoherclit.
Shit.
Shewantedtocome.
Butshealsowantedtobeatthestupidlevel.
Justalittlefarther.
Mirandamoaned,despiteherbestefforts.Raulhookedhisarmunderherthigh,pullingherasscloser
totheedgeofthesofawithnoregardforthelife-or-deathsprintshewasin.Histonguelickedher
sensitizedclitandherbackarchedoffthesofa.
Thebastard.
Hewassonotwinning.
Shethrewdownyetmoretraps,drainingthecharacter’sreservesdryandputonmorespeed.
Raulputatwisttohisfinger-thrusts.
Thecrimsonhalooflightquicklyfilledthescreen.
She’dwon!
MirandadroppedthecontrollerrightontopofRaul’shead—byaccident,butitwashisfault.She
groanedashecontinuedtofingerfuckher.Astalentedashisfingerswere—thatwasnotatallwhatshe
wanted.
Highonlust,shegrabbedthewaistbandofhershortsandpushedthemdown.Raulwasforcedbackin
theprocess.Hesatonhisheelswhileshekickedoffherpanties,grinninglikehewasthewinner.She
snaggedthecondomshe’dstuckinthetiny,mostlyuselesspocketofhershorts,andrippeditopen.
“What?Youfinished?”Hetwistedtoglareatthescreen.
“NotyetIdidn’t.Uphere.Now.”Sheslappedthesofa.
“Bossy.”
“Youhavenoidea.”
Raulgrinnedandslitheredupontothesofa,hisboxersandjeansfallingtothefloornexttohershorts.
Shestraddledhislegsandheheldhiserectionwhilesherolledthelatexon.Shelostnotimescooting
forwarduntilhiscockbrushedagainstherwetfolds.Hestareddeepintohereyesasshesankontohim,
herarousalslickingherchannel,makingtheintrusioneasy.
“Fuck—you’rehot.”Raulkneadedherasswithbothhands.
Shegrippedhisshoulders,alotlessinterestedintalking.
Helifted,guidingandsupportingherassherose.Gravitydidtherest.Sheworkedherhips,taking
himdeeper,strokingthelengthofhiscock.
Raulstrainedtowardheruntiltheirmouthsmetinahungrykiss.Heroseup,thrustingintoherwith
moreforce.Shemoanedastremorsofpleasuresnakedthroughher.
Thepleasurecoiledtightinherbelly.Shewastooclosetoorgasm,toofargonetolast.
Shedugherfingersintohishair,workingherhipsfaster,seekingherpleasurewithahungry
determination.Raulreachedbetweenthem,histhumbplayingherclit.
Herbodyfeltasthoughitburstapart,pleasureradiatingoutfromhercore.
Raulcontinuedtothrustupintoher,drawingouttheorgasm.
“Fuck,yes,fuckme—youfeelsogood.”Raul’svoicewasraspy,low.
Shegaspedandheldontohisshoulders.Hertoescurled,andshestruggledtomovewithhim.
Hegrippedherhips,movingherintimetohisthrusts.Sheleanedforward,pushingherhandintohis
hair,kissinghismouth.Hisholdtightened,almostpainfully,andhepoundeddeeper,harder—thenstilled,
hisfacemomentarilyfrozeninasilentshout.
Hissoul-deepgroanmadehergrininturn.
Whowasthewinnernow?
Frankminimizedhisworkemailandstretched.Saturdayswereforuninterruptedworkandpersonal
matters.Nowthatthemostpressingthingswereoutoftheway...
Amissedcallonhiscellcaughthisattention.Notbecausehe’dmissedacall—heregularlyignored
hisphoneontheweekend.Itwaswhothecallerwas.
ThePI.
Frankfrownedandpressedthevoicemailiconandliftedthephonetohisear.
“Hi,Mr.Kellis.Yousaidtoinformyouofanyovernightvisitorsnotontheapprovedlist...”
“Yes?”Frank’shandcurledintoafist.Whatwasshedoingnow?
“Iobservedayetunidentifiedmaleenteringthehomelastnightaroundeight,andhehasyettoleave.”
“Thankyouforlettingmeknow.”ThewordstastedwoodeninFrank’smouth.
“Notaproblem,sir.”
ThePIendedthecall.
Frankcarefullysetthephonedownonthedesk.HeheftedtheBluetoothmouseinhishandandhurled
itacrosstheroom.Bitsofplasticbrokeapartandthepieceswentscatteringunderfurniture.Heshovedto
hisfeet,growlingprofanities.
Shehadaman.Aman—stayingwithher.
Whattheactualfuck?
Frankpacedtheofficeshovinghishandsthroughhishair.
Hisgutsaidtogotoher.Benearher.Andyet—hecouldn’t.Notafterhe’dnearlygottencaughtafew
weeksago.Itwasn’ttimeyet.Thehousewasn’tready.Nothingwasprepared.
Heneededtowait.
Justalittlewhilelonger.
Theycouldfixthis.
Hepickedupthephotographhe’dframed.Theoneofherwiththeredlips.
Frankpressedakisstohermouth.
Whoeverthefuckthismanwas,hewouldnotcomebetweenthem...
7.
Mirandafloppedontoherdeskchairandswungfromsidetoside.
ThehousewasquietwithoutRaulthere.Shealmostwishedshe’dgonewithhimonwhateversortof
emergencyanimalrescuethinghe’dbeencalledawayon.ButthatwouldmeanleavingLolaalonewith
thekittens,andthoughMirandawasthrilledaspunchRuntyMcRunt-Pantswaseating,shecouldn’tbring
herselftoleavethemforlong.
Besides,shehadn’tyetheardanupdateaboutPiper’sdateandRashaeshouldknowsoonifshewas
goingtoofficiallygettheartistgigfortheboardgamethingshewasexcitedabout.
Shegrabbedherphoneandcheckedthegirlchat.
Therewereeasilyacouplehundredmessages.Shealwaysgotabitsicktoherstomachwhenthere
werethatmanywaitingforher.Hadsomethinghorriblehappened?Wastheregoodnews?OrwasTamara
sendingthemrandomcatvideosagain?
Oneofthelastmessageswasavideochatinvite.
Sheshookthedesktopmouse,wakingupthePCandclickedthroughtothevideochat.
“Lookwho’sjoiningus!”Tamara’svoiceblaredthroughthespeakers.
“DearGod,you’reloud.”Mirandawincedandturnedthevolumedownasthethreeotherscreens
flickeredtolife.“We’reallhere?”
“Nowthatyoudecidedtoshowup.”RashaegaveherTheLook.“Moreaboutyoulater.Piperwas
juststartingtotellusabout—what’shisname?”
“HisnameisKobe.”Piperhadherkneesdrawnupandherarmsaroundhershins.
“Like—thebasketballplayer?”Mirandashifted,settlingin.
“Yeah.”Piperrolledhereyes.
“Shewastellingushowitwas—andwasn’t—awesome,beforeyoudecidedtointerrupt.”Rashae
proppedherchininherhands.
“Yeah.Like,he’ssuperneattotalkto,but...Idon’tknow.”Pipersquinted.“He’sforsurenottelling
mesomething.”
“Everyonehasbaggage,”Tamarachimedin.
“What’shelooklike?Doyouhaveapicture?How’dyoumeethim?”Mirandahadn’theardanything
abouttheguy.
“Yeah,what’supwithnottellingus?”Tamarafrowned.IfTamaradidn’tknow,thenPiperforsure
hadn’tyetsharedthedetails.
“Imethimonlineatoneofthosedating-swipersites.”Piperleanedforward,herlaptopmouse
swishingbackandforth.“Hangon,I’msendingyouguysapicturenow...there.”
Mirandaclickedtheattachment.
“He’sAsian!”Tamarapumpedherfist.“Holdon,Imightknowhim.”
“Shutup,Tamara.”Piperrolledhereyes.Theyweretheonlytwoofthefourwholivedinthesame
city.
“Wow...”Miranda’seyebrowsrose.
Kobewasn’tRaul,buttheguywascertainlyattractive.Hehadthatbadboystaredown,asixpack
andeverythingelsein-between.Shecouldseetheappeal.Andwhyhe’dbeintosomeoneasdrop-dead
beautifulasPiper.
“Wait—isthislike...aheadshot?Isheamodeloranactor?HeliveshereinL.A.,right?”Tamara’s
facefilledthescreenasshepeeredatthepicture.
“Yes,he’sfromhere,no,he’snotamodeloranactor.Iaskedhimwhyhehadwhatlookslikeagency
picturesonhisprofile,buthedidn’treallygivemeastraightanswer.Somethingaboutafriendand
photography.”Pipershrugged.
“Idon’tknow...”Tamarafrowned.
“What’swiththeAsianhate,Asian?”Rashaesquintedatthecamera.
“Nothing.”Tamarasatback.
“What?”Piperdemanded.
“Nothing.Nothing.Didyouhavefun?”
“Tamara.”Piperfrowned.“Don’tmakemecomeoverthere.”
“No,forgetIsaidanything.”
“Oh,comeon,Tamara,nowweallwanttoknow.”Rashaeslappedthedesk.
“It’sjust...”Tamararolledhereyesandsatupalittlestraighter.“He’slike,reallypretty.Guysthis
prettyinL.A.areusuallyhereforsomething,youknow?Beanactor.Getarecorddeal.Modeling.He’s
waytoogood-lookingtonothaveathing,youknow?”
“That’swhatI’mthinking.”Pipersighed.“Miranda,whataboutyou?You’vebeensuperquiet.”
“Yeah,how’dlastnightwithMr.Purrfectgo?”Rashaeasked.
“Good.”Mirandagrinned.Shecouldn’thelpit.
“Wait—ishestillthere?”Rashae’sjawdropped.
“No,heleftalittlebitago.But...”Mirandaclaspedherhandstogether.“Heiscomingback.Theguys
hedoestheanimalrescuewithhadamedicalrescueemergency,sohewenttotakecareofthatandpick
upsomecleanclothes.”
“Shutup!”Rashaeclappedandthrewherheadback.“Ihateyouall.WhyamIthesingleonenow?”
“Woo-hoo!Isheatoolorakeeper?”Tamaragrinnedrightback.
“He’ssonotatool.Iwasreallysurprisedbyhowniceheis.”Though‘nice’wasn’ttheword
Mirandawouldusewhenhewasthrowingheraroundlikearagdoll.
“Whatdoesthatsmilemean?Areyoublushing?”Tamarapeeredatherthroughthemonitor.
“Yes.”Mirandacoveredherface.
“Whathappened?”Rashaedemanded.
“Isheintosomethingweird?”Piperasked.
“Nothingweird,just—itwasgood.”Mirandashrugged.
“Ilikethathe’stherewithyou.I’vebeenworriedaboutyoubeingalonesincethebreak-insand
everything.”Tamaraleanedanelbowonherdeskandtoyedwiththeendofherbraid.“Doesthedetective
knowanythingelse?Anynewleads?Isitconnectedtothatstalkerguy?”
Miranda’sstomachchurnedandsheswallowed.“Nothingnew.Max—thedetectivewhowason
AndreaandCrystal’scase—tookovermycaseandhasbeenlookingintoitbut...”
“Nothingnew?Still?”Pipershookherhead.
“No,butIdofeelsaferwithRaulhere.”Mirandaleanedbackinherchair.Therewasnothingworse
thanfeelingscaredinherownhomeandhavingnoonebelieveher.Someonehadtobreak-intoherhouse
forthepolicetotakeherseriously,andeventhen,untilMaxlookedintohercase,hardlyanyonewould
payattentiontohercomplaintsovertheyearsthatsomeonehadbeenfollowingher.Snappingpictures.
Aroundeverydamncorner.Sherefusedtoliveherlifeinfear,butitmadeforsomeparanoia.
“Allthosemuscles...Hecanprotectmeanyday.”Rashaegrinned.
TheverymusclesRaulhadusedtotossMirandaaround.Hemadeherfeel...small.Whichwas
somethingthathadn’thappenedinaverylongtime.
“Whatdoesthatlookmean?Miranda?”
“Nothing!”
“Oh,comeon,Itoldyouallaboutripping-my-clothes-offsex.Youhavetogiveusdetails!”Tamara
triedandfailedtopout.
Mirandamanagedtogetoutsomeofthehighlights.Sheleftoutplenty,becausewhiletheywere
friends—itwasRaulshewassleepingwith.
“Aw,hesoundslikehe’smakingyoureallyhappy.That’sgood.Youdeservetobehappy.”Piperhad
herchinproppedupinherhand.
“Yeah,Imean,it’sstillwaytooearlytotell,but...Ilikehim.”Mirandasighedthedreamysighoflust.
Whentheheckwassexyscrubsgettingbackhere?
Raulglancedattheclock.
Anotherfour,agonizinghourstogobeforehecouldgethome—correction—hecouldgotoMiranda’s
house.
Hereallyhadtostopthinkingofitashome.Granted,hehadn’tsleptinhisownbedsincelastFriday.
Afullsevendaysago,now.Hepulledouthisphoneandsmiledatthelockscreen,aparticularlycute
pictureofMiranda,LolaandRuntyMcRunt-Pants.Thekittenneededanewname,thatwasforsure,but
everythingelsewas...perfect.Thisthingbetweenthemwasawhirlwind,butinagoodway.
Shebelievedinhim,hisvisionfortherescue...withouther,he’dprobablyhavecontinuedtoflounder
around.Inaweek,she’dsetthemupwithawebsite,revampedtheirsocialmediaandbrandedthings—
whateverthatmeant.Theproofwastherethough.Theyhadreal,honest-to-Goddonationscomingin.She
wascompletelyamazing,andthatwasn’teventakingintoaccounteverythingelseabouther.Still,itwasa
lotofchangesinaverylittleamountoftime.Itwasalottotakein.
Dinnerorderwillbereadytopickuponyourwayhome!
Itwasoveranhourold,andtotallymundane,buthesmiledatthemessage.Shethoughtofeverything.
Rauljustwishedtherewassomethinghecoulddoforher.Hestayedatherplace,keptherupwaytoo
late,andplayedhergames.Takingoutthetrash,keepingthelitterboxcleanandaneyeonthekittens
wasn’thardlyenough.Hehadtheideathattherewassomethingshewasn’ttellinghim,buthewaswilling
towaitherout.Solongasshewasn’thidinganythinghorrificfromhim,hehadagoodfeelingabout
whateveritwastheyweredoing.
Flowersweregoodandall,butheneededtodosomething...more.
“Dr.C,thereyouare.”Abig,burlymancoveredintattoos,sportingbikerleathersandawhitebeard
enteredtheclinicthroughthebackdoor,apetcarrierinhand.
“John,hey.What’chagotthere?”Rauleyedthemewlingcarrierwithtrepidation.Whattheheckhad
hisroommatefoundthistime?
“Mamacatandherkittens.They’vegotalotoffleasandmange.Gotaminutetotakealook?Say...are
youcomingbacktothehouse?”
“Letmeguess,youwanttosticktheminmyroom?”Raulpeeredintothecarrier.
“Ifyouaren’tgoingtobearound...She’sgotmangeprettybad.It’dprobablybebestifshedidn’t—”
“Yeah,yeah,yeah.Just—putthemattressup?Orsomething.I’dpreferforitnottogetpeedonagain.”
“Oh—hey,rememberweweretalkingaboutdoingafancything?Lookatthisplace.”Johnhandeda
brochureforawaterfrontpartyspot.Theslickpictureswereclassy.Upscale.“Doesthatfitwhatyou
werethinking?”
“Maybe?I’llgivethistoMiranda.Seewhatshethinks.”Helaiditdown,snappedapictureandsent
itoff.Herbusinessplanhadalotofoff-shootsandthingsthatdidn’tmakeanysensetohim.AllRaulkept
comingbacktowasthematterofmoney.Theyneededalotofit.Eventodoafundraisertogetmore
money.“Okay,mama,let’sseehowyou’redoing.”
“She’sreallysweet.Betshewassomeone’shousecatonce.Say,arewestillgettingtogetherthis
weekend?”
“Youmean,isMirandainvitingeveryoneoversoyoucantakeuphersofaandplayDrudgeagain?
Yeah,Saturdayafternoon.”
“Cool,man.Ilikethisgirl.”
“Me,too.”
Andthatwastheproblem,ifitcouldbecalledthat.Raullikedher,andhehadnoideawhattodoto
keepher.
Mirandatappedherpenonthepadofpaper,listeningtothestupidholdmusicdroneonandonand
on...
Howlongdidittaketolookatacalendar,anyway?
“Ma’am,thankyouforholding,”thereceptionistdrawled.
“Didyoufindanyavailability?”Mirandatossedthependownandclickedthroughthesite.Again.
Thelocationwasperfect.Alargeoutdoorspacewouldallowforkenneldisplaysandsome
interactiveactivitieswithsomeoftheanimals.Inside,theycouldhavecocktailsandthesilentauction.
Shewasprettysurethatjustwithherlocalconnectionsalone,shecouldgetacouplehundredpeople
there.More,ifsheleveragedsomethingsinherpersonalcollection...
LiketheoriginalconceptdiscsfromthefirstDrudgegame...
Shestillhadthemall.
Cliffhadtriedonnumerousoccasionstoprythemoutofherhands.Shehadallsixcopies.Inthedust
jackets.Thosecouldfetchafortune,iftheygottherightpeopleinthebuilding.More,iftheycoulduse
somesortofinteractivebiddingdeviceforpeoplenotabletoattend...
Raulwasgoingtoflip...
“Let’ssee...We’vegotadatefourweeksoutthatjustcameavailable.Canceledwedding.”
“Oh—really?”Mirandaflippedopenhercalendarapp.
Fourweekswasperfect.Notalotoftime,butenoughtogetthefootsoldiers,a.k.a.,herfriends,
mobilized.Shefelt...energized.Excited.
ThereceptionistgaveMirandathedetailsandsentherthenecessaryforms.She’dstillneedtospeak
withthefacility’smanagerfortheofficialbooking...butitwascompletelydo-able.Mirandapacedher
office,burstingattheseamstotellsomeone.Piperwasstillworkingcrazyhours,Tamarawasontheset
ofamovie,butRashaewasalwaysaround.Mirandajabbedinherfriend’snumberandstuckher
Bluetoothheadseton.
“What’syourdamage?”Rashaeaskedbywayofagreeting.
“Ifoundaspottohaveafundraiser.”
“You—wait?What?”
“Remember,I’mhelpingRaulandhisteamgettheirrescuegoing?”
“Yeah...”
“Andtheideawastodoabigthing,getsomeinvestorsintohelpthemwithsettingupfacilities?”
“Uh,thatsoundsfamiliar...”
“Igotusaplace.Well,notofficiallyyet.I’mgoingtoswingbyafterwork,butit’sperfect!”
“You...backup.Theboyhashischarityandallhisfriendsareinonit.That’scool.Andyou’rehelping
them...whatnow?”
“Mostly,I’mhelpingwithanactionplan.Theyknewwhattheywantedtodo,justnothowtogoabout
it.”
“Okay,andwhatelseareyoudoing?”
“Ididthewebsite,butthat’snothing.”
“And?Miranda?”
“What?”
“Whatelseareyoudoing?Whathaveyoupaidfor?”
“Nothing.”
“Miranda...”
“Fine.I’mgoingtopaythedepositforthecharitylocation,butthat’sit.”
“Isthatseriouslyit?”
“Yourlackoffaithinmeishumbling.”
“No,that’snotwhatImean.Just...Icouldseeyouemptyingyourpocketsforathinglikethis.”
“I’mbeingcareful.It’shardtonotsayI’lljustpayforstuffwhenthingscomeup.You...theyrescueda
mamacatand—”
“Stop,youdamncrazycatlady.You’rebeingcareful.Good.”
“IcalledyoubecauseI’mexcitedandIwantedsomeonetobehappywithme.”
“Sorry,it’sjust—you’remybestfriendandIworryaboutyou.Ilovethatyou’regettingexcitedabout
stuffagain,andyou’vegotsomeoneinyourlife.”
“But?”
“But,yeah,you’vegotahugeheartandit’seasyforpeopletotakeadvantageofthat.I’mnaturally
suspiciousofanymaninyourlifeIhaven’tmetyet.Canyoublameme?”
“Youtalkedtohimonourvideocall.”
“That’snotthesamething.”
“Well...youcouldcomeoutforthefundraiser...”
“And?Youclearlyhavesomethinginmind.”
“I’mgoingtooffertoletthemauctionoffoneoftheconceptcopiesoftheoriginalDrudgegame.Iwas
thinkingTamaracouldpromoteitonherYouTubeshow,andwecouldmakeitathing.Ifyouwerefree,
havingyoubetheemceewouldbefantastic.”
“DearJesus,youalreadyhaveitplannedout,don’tyou?”
“Maybe...”
“Okay,weareofficiallygoingtostarthavingSugarMamacheck-ins.Isaythisasyourfriend,you
knowthat,right?”
“Yes.”Mirandarolledhereyes,bothfrustratedandtouchedbyherfriend’sconcern.
“Soareyouguy’sofficiallydating,oristhisjustafuckfriendthing,orwhat?”
“Wehaven’tlabeledit.”Mirandapacedbacktoherdeskchair.
“Thatdoesn’tbotheryou?”
“Nowthatyoubroughtitup,itdoes.”
“Thentalktohim.Hell,ifhe’sbeenmovinginlikehehas,heshouldhavesomethingtosayaboutit.”
“Ijust...Idon’twanttobethatpushygirl.I’mhappy.Ifeelsafe.”
“Miranda,honey,Iloveyou,butifhecan’tcommit,hecangetout.Thereareotherwaystobehappy
andfeelsafewithoutgivingawayyourhard-earnedmoney.It’dbedifferentifyou’dgoneonadateor
two,butthewayyou’regoing,he’sgoingtohiremoversbeforetoomuchlonger...Whatwasthatnoise
youjustmade?Miranda?Howmuchofhisstuffisatyourplace?”
“Notalot.Justclothes.”
“And?”
“Hiscat,butShivaisupstairsinthesparerooms.”
“Hiscat’snameisShiva?Lord.Whatelseishebringingover?”
“Nothingelseuntilthekittensareolder.”
“Nothing—what?Whatishebringover?”
“Hemightbringhisdog.”
“Adog?”
“Yes.”
“Miranda.”
“What?”
“Boy’sgottadecideonewayortheotherwhatthehellhe’sdoing.”
“You’vetotallyrainedonmyparade.”
“Sorry,that’swhatlovedoes.”
“Screwyouandyourso-calledlove.”
“You’llthankmeafteryousettlethingswithyourbeau.”
Mirandarolledhereyesandgrumbled.Rashaewasright.Shewasalwaysright.Didn’tmeanMiranda
hadtoagreewithheraboutit.
“Ihavewingstocreate,andIneedbothhandsandmywholebrain.Yougobeawesomeandgiveme
anupdatelater,okay?Andstartlookingatflightsforthefundraiserweekend.Makesureboytoyknowshe
hastopassinspection.”
“Allright,bye.”
Mirandahungup,andthecloudofuncertaintyreturned.It’dbeenfollowingheraroundsince
Wednesday,whenShivaarrived.Bringinghiscattoherplacewasahugesignoftrust,wasn’tit?His
mostsignificantrelationshiphadendedbecausehisexranoffwithLola.Shehadtotellherselfthiswasa
goodsign.Abig,blinkingindicatorthatthingsweregoingwellforthem.
Weren’t they? Or did she simply want someone in her life badly enough she was willing to take
whateverwasoffered?Inanotherfewmonth’stime,wouldRaulseeherparanoiaandleaveher,calling
hercrazy,too?
Frank tossed his briefcase on the sofa and headed for his home office. He’d held off checking on
thingsuntilhewashome.Alldaylong,he’dhadtowonderwhatshewasupto,whowasshespeakingto,
howherdaywasgoing...
Notknowingwastheworstofit.
He’dtunedoutofawholehourofthefinancialforecastmeetingthinkingaboutherhair,howmuchhe
misseditwhenitwaslonger.Theshorthairwasnice,buthemuchpreferredherlong,naturallocks.
Fuckit.
Frankstrodeintothebedroom,thenthelarge,walk-incloset.He’dboughtacase,oneofthosefancy
artdisplaysthatmonitoredair,preservedthepiecewithinaglassbox.Thekeypadwasstandard.He
jabbedthebuttons,hisvisionnarrowingtothelong,silkybraidinside.
Hewrappedhishandsaroundthenearlytwentyinchesofbrunettehairandstrokeditfromoneendto
theother,thensmelledit.
Thiswashismostprizedpossession.
He’dhadtowatchhercalendarcloselybecausethedatekeptchanging,butonceshe’darrivedforthe
appointmenthe’dremainedinplace.Thestylisthadn’taskedtoomanyquestionsafterhe’dwavedthe
moneyinfrontofher.
Frankheldthebraidtohisnoseandinhaled.
Itstillsmelledofher.
Teatreeoil.Lavender.Abitofmintandrosemary.Mirandapreferrednaturalscents,nothingtoo
flowery.
Hesqueezedthebraidandstrolledintotheoffice.
Acoupleofkeystrokesandthemirroreddesktopfilledhisscreen.
Hesatbackandwatchedherdayindoubletime,everyemailshe’dread,noteshe’dwrittenandsite
she’dvisited.
TheBeachcomber?
Frankfrowned.
Whywouldsheneedapartyspace?
Therewasn’tanythingonhercalendaraboutaparty.
Frankhadabadfeelingaboutthis.WhatwasMirandauptonow?
8.
Raulbalancedthepizzaononehandandheftedthegrocerybagsupoutofthefloorboardwithhisother
hand.GiventhathewascrashingatMiranda’ssomuch,hefigureditwasonlyfairthathechipinwiththe
groceries.
Hemadeitupthepatiowithoutincidentandbythetimehereachedthebackdoor,Mirandahadit
openforhim.Hehadtopauseforamomenttotakeherin.Nearlyeverynightwaslikethis—he’dshow
up,halfexpectinghertobrushhimoff,butinsteadthatdazzlingsmilereeledhiminalloveragain.
“Hey,handsome.”Shesmiledandsteppedback.
“Evening,beautiful.”
“Needahand?What’chagotthere?”
“Contributionstothekitchen.Ifinishedoffthecreamerandmilkafteryouleftforwork.”Hesetitall
onthelargeislandwhileshestartedpeeringintobags.
“Anythingelseneedtobeputawayrightnow?”sheasked.
Hepaused,parsingoutthenotesofexcitementinhervoice.
“Whathappenedtoday?”Hescrambledtorecallanyscrapofconversationthatmightgivehima
betteridea.
“Thisit?”Shestashedthefewrefrigerateditemsandtossedthebagsintorecycling.
“What’supwithyou?”Hesteppedincloser,backingherupagainstthefridge.
Mirandabitherlowerlip,eyessparklingwithabarely-containedsecret.
“Comehere.”Shewrappedherfingersaroundhishandandledhimintoheroffice.“Iwantedtohave
moretoshowyou,butIbarelybeatyouhome.Sit.”
Hedidassheaskedandwrappedanarmaroundherwaist,pullingherintohislap.Aweekagoshe
wouldhaveyelpedandtriedtogetaway.Nowsheshifteduntilshewascomfortableandreachedforthe
mouse.Progress.
“Ididathing,”shesaid.
“Whatthing?”
“Thisthing.”Shemaximizedawindowshowingamodernwaterfrontbuildingwithwell-manicured
hedgesandalawnthatstretchedouttoastonerailing.
“Whatisit?”Thepropertywas...expensivelooking.Outofamovieoramagazine.
“It’stheBeachcomber.Thatpropertyyousentmethebrochurefor?It’ssortoflikeanupscalecivic
center,eventspacething.”
“Okay.”
“AndIwasthinking...itwouldbeperfectforafancyfundraiser.Likewetalkedabout.”
“That’samazing.”
“Isn’tit?”Sheglanceddownathim,herwidesmilemakingeverythinginhischesttight.“There’sthis
greatcoveredpatioareawhereyoucouldsetupsomekennels,maybehaveaplaypensortofarea.Then,
inside,there’ssomereallynicespacetodococktailsandotherstuff.”
Hecouldlistentohertalkallnight.Herzealforplanningandgettingthevisionacrosswasuncanny.
Listeningtoherspeakmadehimwanttojoinin,andhe’dstartedthedamnrescue.
“Someday,we’llgetthere.”Herubbedherback.It’dbegreattoputherplansintoaction.Someday.
“That’s...sortoftheotherthing...”Sheglancedfromthescreenbacktohim.
“What?”
“There’sanopeningintheirscheduleinfourweeks.It’susuallybookedupsixtoeightmonths,alotof
timesevenlonger.”
“That’snice,butwhat’saplacelikethiscost?”
“Ididathing,remember?”
Hefroze.
Thethingwasn’tfindingtheplace?
Ormakingawesomeplans?
“Miranda,whatdidyoudo?”Hestaredather,unsurewhathewantedhertosay.
“I...someoneshoweduprightafterme,readytopaycashonthespotforthatweekendbecausethey
heardlikeIdidtheyhadanopening,butbecauseIhadanappointment,themanagertalkedtomefirst
and...Ihadto.IfIdidn’t,we’dlosethespot.”Shespokeallatonce,herwordsblurringtogether.
Hecouldseethesceneinhismind.Miranda,poisedandreadytoselltheiridea,herpassionandthe
moment—thatsplit-seconddecision-makingmaven.He’dbuttedheadswithherafewtimesandlostwhen
shegotlikethat.
“Saysomething.”Sheproddedhisribs.
“Howmuchdidthatcost?”Hescrubbedahandoverhisface.Howwashegoingtopayforthis?Half
hischeckwasalreadycoveringtherescue-vettingcostshecouldn’twaive.
“Don’tworryaboutthemoney.Doyouthinktheguyscanpullthisoffinamonth?”
Raulstaredatherforamoment,tornbetweenchargingfull-steamaheadintohisdream,andleaning
onyetanotherpersonformoney.
Dreamsdidn’tpaybills.Theycostmoney.He’dfallendowntheholeoflettinghisdreamsblindhim
totheconsequencesoncebeforeandhe’dlosteverything,rightdowntohiscat.
Whatwoulditcosthimthistime?
Mirandawasadifferentperson.Heractions—this—wasbornoutofadesiretohelp.Thewayshe
staredathimnow...shewasbuyingintohisdream,makingithers,too.Becausethatwasthekindof
personshewas.Giving.Nurturing.Alotofbossy,butbossygotthejobdone.
Therewasstillapricetopaythatwasn’tmoney,andhewishedheknewwhatitwasgoingtobe.With
hisex,it’dbeenhiscat.WithMiranda,hedidn’tknow.Washereadingtoomuchintothis?
“Raul,saysomething,please?”Thewayshelookedathim,hereyesbeggedhimtobeasexcitedas
shewas.
Damnit.Itwasagreatplan.Andshebelievedinhim.
Maybehewastheproblem.Hewastoojadedandguardedtoreallyappreciatetheselfless,beautiful
thingMirandawasdoingforhim.
Fuck,hewasaheel.
Raulwrappedhishandaroundhersandsqueezedit.
“Allwehavetodoisfollowtheplan,right?”Heswallowedthelumpinhisthroat.Shewasn’t
anythinglikehisex,andhewasdamnluckytohavesuchaselflesswomaninhislifenow.Heneededto
wakeupandreallyappreciateher.
“IknowImadeabigdecisionwithoutaskingyouguys,but...itwasjustsoperfect.Pleasesayyoulike
it.”
“Maybewarnmenexttime?”
“Where’sthefuninthat?”Sheleanedbackagainsthischest.“Isitokay?”
“Babe,ifitweren’tforyou,we’dprobablystillbetryingtofigureouthowtorunthewholeoperation
outofourrental.It’sscary,butwithyourplanandourmuscle,Ithinkwecandoawholelotmorethanwe
realize.”Andthatwasthetruth.Growingwasn’tacomfortableexperience,andmaybetheyneededherto
pushthemoutoftheircomfortzone.
“Youaren’tmad?”
“No.”Theanswercamewithoutpauseortheneedtothink.
“Good.”Shesmiled,anditwaseverythingrightintheworld.
Whatthehellhadheeverdonetodeservethis?Her?
“I’dlovetosithereandmakegoo-gooeyesatyou,butI’mreallyhungry,andthatpizzasmells
amazing.”Sheleanedinandbuzzedhislipswithakiss.
Raulwaitedforhertogetup,thenspunthechairtowatchherwalkaway.
Aweek...andthiswasprobablythehappiesthe’deverbeen.
“Youcoming?”Sheglancedoverhershoulderathim.
“Rightbehindyou.”Hehadtothinkofsomething,someway,tothankher.Deserveevenafractionof
whatshegavehimsofreely.
Mirandaplatedthepizzaandbreadstickswhiletheycaughteachotherupontheirday,thekittensand
Shiva’supstairsantics.Already,Lolawasprowlingthestairs,evidencethatitwouldnotbeaneasy
introductionforthetwo,buthopefullythey’dadjust.Bythetimetheywereseatedonthesofahestill
hadn’tcomeupwithanythingbesidesflowersandchocolatesasthankyous.
“Isthereanythingyouhaven’tbeenabletoputyourmindtoandjust—doit?”Heturnedtoface
MirandabeforeshecouldturntheTVon.
“Um...Idon’tknow?”Shenibbledonabreadstick.
“Seriously,nothing?”
“Like—what?”
“Noothergoals,dreams,bucketlistthings?”
“I’mthirty-sevenfuckingyearsold.DoIreallyneedmoregoalsatthispoint?Imademyvideogame.
Istartedandrunmycompany.Whatmoredoyouwantfromme,mom?”
“Hey,I’mjustcuriousifyou’vethoughtaboutdoinganythingelse?”Somethinghecouldmaybehelp
with.
Shechewed,hergazeontheceiling.
“You’rethinkingofsomething.”Hepickedupthepizzabutcouldn’tfindtheinterestineatingyet.
“Well...notreally,Idon’tthinkitcounts.”
“Whatisit?”
“Writingabook.”
“Likewhatkindofabook?”
“See,that’sthething.I’vealreadywrittenit.”
“Cool.Whatkindofabookisit?CanIreadit?”
“I...don’tthinkyou’dwantto.It’saromancebook.Ibaseditonafailedgameconcept.”
“Whatgame?”
“ItwasthisspaceexplorationRPG.Itwasindevelopmentrightaroundthetimephoneappgameshit,
andwerealizedtheconceptwasbettersuitedtophonesversusaconsole,soweabandonedit.”
“That’ssocool.Whataboutthebookthough?”
“Werewolvesinspace.”
“Werewolves...inspace...Okay.”Henodded,notfollowingalongatall.“Whofallinlove?”
“Yes.”
“IsthisaFifty—”
“Fullstop.”Sheheldupherhands.“No.Don’tsayit.”
“SorryIasked.”
“WheneverIsayIwanttowriteabookit’salwayseither,isitFiftyorTwilight,andit’sneither.I
snuckmymother’soldromancebooksintomyroomasakidlongbeforeeitherofthosebookswereever
athing.Ijust...Ineverhadtheattentionspanforwritingabook-book.”
“Okay,sowhatnowthatyou’vewrittenit?”
“It’smorelikeanovella.”
“That’sstillabook,right?”
“Iguess?Idon’tknow.”
“Areyougoingtopublishitsootherpeoplecanreadit?”
“Oh,hellno!”
“Whynot?”
“I’mnotthatgood.”
“Areyousure?”
“Raul,noonewantstoreadmywerewolvesinspacewithfatedmates.”
“Fated—what?”
“OhmyGod,canwepleasestoptalkingaboutthis?”
“No,Iwanttoknowwhatafatedmateis.”
Shecoveredherfacewithherhands,acompletelyadorablegestureshedidwhenevershewas
embarrassed.Whichonlymadehimwanttoknowmoreaboutthesefatedmates.
“I’lljustGoogleit...”Hepulledouthisphone.
“No!God,no,Ihavenoideawhattheinternetwillsayaboutthetrope.”Sheleanedbackontothe
sofa.“IfItellyou,canwetalkaboutsomethingelse?”
“Sure.”Fornow.
“Fatedmatesisamostlyparanormalromancetrope.”
“Wait—paranormalromance?”
“Youagreed,onequestionandnomore.”Herglarewasnottobetrifledwith.
“Okay—fatedmates.”Hefiledtheotherbitawaytoaskaboutlater.
“Right.It’satropeabouttwopeoplebeingmeantforeachother.Fateordestinymakesthemtheonly
rightmatchforoneanotherintheworld.Usually,theyeitherknowinstantlyifthey’resupposedtobe
together,ortheyfigureitoutafteralittlewhile.”
“Butyousaiditsparanormalromance?Thenwhyisitjustpeople?”
“It’snotjustpeople—it’svampiresandshapeshiftersandallsortsofparanormalcreatures.People.
Andyouagreedtonomorequestions.”
“Onemore?”
“No.”
“CanIreadyourbook?”
“No.Noonewilleverreadit.”Shetookabiteofpizzaandpointedlystaredawayfromhim.
“Whynot?”
“It’snotgood.Ijustwantedtowriteitforfun.ToseeifIcoulddoit.AndIdid.”
“And?”
“And...I’mwritinganotherone.”
Thiswastoomuchfun.Hesethisplatedownandcrawledacrossthesofatoher,untilhehadhisface
rightupinhers.
“Arewefatedmates?”
“Youarenotfunny.”MirandaflickedRaul’sperfectnose.
“Ow!”Herubbeditandglaredather.
Fatedmates.
Thatwasabookthing.Notreal.Still,itwouldmakeanice,neatanswerforwhattheyweredoing.
Thiswhirlwindthing.Wasitallinherhead?WasRashaerightingivinghermajorside-eye?
Raulleanedinandlandedalip-smackingkissonhercheek.Normally,thebutterfliesinherstomach
wouldtakeflightandshe’dstruggletobreathe.ThistimeitfeltmorelikeachurningseaofLeviathan
tryingtobubbleupinsideofher.Itwasn’tpleasant.
“DidIsaysomethingwrong?”Raulsatback,givingherthatpuppy-dogheadtiltlook.
God,hewascutewhenhedidthat.
“No,no.”Shepinchedthecharmonhernecklaceandsliditbackandforth.
“Iwasjustjoking.Ididn’tmeantobeanass.”
“Youaren’t.”Blesshimforbeingsoquicktoapologize.Shewantedtodropthislineofconversation.
“IwasthinkingwemightwanttoswapLolaandShivaforabit,havethemeachgetusedtothewaythe
othersmells.”
“That’sagoodidea.Hey.”Hegraspedherfreehandandsqueezed.“What’sup?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?Really?”
Mirandarolledhereyes.Yeah,shehadzeropokerface,buthedidn’thavetopointitout.
“Comeon,what’sbotheringyou?”Hetookherplate,setitonthecoffeetable,andsettledin,holding
herhandbetweenbothofhis.“DidIdosomething?”
Shesighed,albeitabitdramatically,andsloucheddownnexttohim.
Heregoes.
Theywerehavingthetalk.
“IfIsayIdon’twanttotalkaboutitandyouletitgo,I’mgoingtoobsessaboutitallnight.”She
peeredupathim.“IfwetalkaboutitI’mgoingtofeelliketheneedy,crazy,bitchygirl...”
“Well,ifsomething’sbotheringyoutellingmeaboutitdoesn’tmakeyouneedy,bitchyorcrazy.It
makesyouhonest.Iappreciatethatyoudon’twantto...comeoffthatway,butit’snotfairtoyou.What’dI
do?”
“Nothing.”
“Seriously?Inthehistoryofmenandwomen,it’snevernothing.”Heletgoofherhandandwrapped
itaroundher,tuckingherinclosetohisside.
“No,really,youdidn’tdoanythingwrong.”Shesnuggledinclose,thescentoflemonsoapstill
clingingtohisskin.Eventually,she’dtellhimaboutthestalker.Aboutherex.Butnotnow.Thismoment,
wasaboutthem.Notherhistory.
“Thenwhat’sbuggingyou?”
“Myfriendsarereallyover-protective.”
“Andthey—what?Don’tlikeme?”
“No,it’snotthat.One...sortof,mighthaveriledtheothersintopesteringmetodayaboutus.Iknow
theymeanwell,butitjustmesseswithme.”
“I’mguessing—Rashae?”
“Yes.”Mirandawinced.
“Okay,what’sherproblem?”
“How’dyouknowitwasher?”
“Justafeeling.What’dIdo?”
“It’snotyou.It’s—us.Shejustrodemyassaboutthingsgoingsofastandall.”
“Well,it’scoolyourfriendsarethatconcernedaboutyou—”
“But?Ihearabut...”
“But,yeah,doyourfriendsrunyourrelationships?”
“No.”
“Thenwhat’stheirdeal?”
“Rashaethinksweshould,like,haveanofficiallabelorsomething.”
“Andwhatdoyouthink?”
“Ihadn’treallythoughtaboutit.”
“UntilRashaesaidsomethinganditbotheredyou?”
“Yeah.See?ThisiswhyIdidn’twanttotalkaboutit.IloveRashae.Sheismybestfriend.But
sometimesshebuttsinandputsideasinmyhead,andIworryaboutthem.”
“Well,sheisright.Wehavejumpedinthedeepend.”Heslidhisfingersbetweenhers,givingher
handasqueeze.“Butit’snotlikeeitherofusareyoungandstupid.Okay,stupidcouldbearguableonmy
side.Thatsaid,Ihopeit’sobviousI’mprettyintoyou.”
Leviathanhadtobeanotherwordforbutterflies.Man-eatingbutterfliesmaybe,becausetheywere
swarminginMiranda’schesttothepointshethoughtherheartwouldbeatoutofherchest.
“It’snicetohearit.”Hervoicewaspitchedhigh,abitgirly.
“Whatdoyouthink?CanIcallyoumygirlfriend?”Heleanedhisheadonhershoulderandblinked
superfast,maybeevenfastenoughtocallitaflutter.
Mirandasnickered.
Thiswaswhyshewasfallingforhim.
Notbecauseofhisamazingabsorhismoviestarlooks.
Becauseofthis.
Thesemomentswhenhewassilly,whenshefeltinaweofhowlargehisheartwas,whenshefeltsafe
andathomeinhisarms.Maybethiswaswhattheidealoffatedmateswasbasedon?Thesenseoffinding
apersonwhogother.Thatclickedwithher.
ShewasfallinginlovewithRaul,andtherewasnoreasonnotto.
9.
Mirandabreezedintotheoffice.Itwasweirdshowingupsolate,butshe’dneededtomeetCliffhalfway
between their offices for a quick meeting to cover the next year’s conference schedule. With the
ComicConcircuitgettingsolargetheyhadtofirstpickandchose,thendivideandconquerwhowentto
what. Then there was breaking the news to their employees about who got to go, and who didn’t. She
enjoyedthemeetingsawholehellofalotmore,nowthattheynolongerincludedacertainformerDark
Matteremployeewhowasbehindbars.
“How’ditgo?”Andrea,oneoftheirleadprogrammers,waswaitingoutsideofMiranda’soffice.
“Good.What’sup?”Mirandasethertoteinthearmchairandshruggedoutofhercoat.
“JustwonderingaboutthePTOrequest—”
“Whendidthosegethere?”Mirandacaughtsightofabeautifulbouquetofrosesatthesmall,four-
personmeetingtabletoonesideofherdesk.
“Oh,thosegotherefirstthingthismorning.”AndreafollowedMirandaovertothedesk.
TheyhadtobefromRaul.Afterlastnight...herkneeswentalittleweakjustthinkingabouthim.How
hadshegottensolucky?
Mirandapulledthecardout.ThescrawlinghandwritingwassonotRaul’s.Hehadthedoctorchicken
scratchdownperfectly.
TothewomanIadore.
“Who’sitfrom?”AndreapeeredoverMiranda’sshoulder.
“I’mguessing...”Shesnappedaquickpictureoftherosesandtheircellophane-coveredvase.“I’m
guessingthey’refromRaul.”
Shetappedoutaquickthankyou.He’dprobablybarelyjustbegettingtotheclinicanddidn’twantto
throwoffhisrhythm.
“Raul?Who’sthat?”
“ThisguyImetlastweek.”Mirandadidherbesttokeepherrelationshipwithheremployeesstrictly
professional.ItwashardwithAndreaandafewothers,simplybecausetheyhadsomuchincommon.
“It’sallstillverynew.Actually,Iwantedtotalktoyou—ohmyGod!”
Mirandayankedherhandsawayfromthevase.Shesteppedbackuntilsheranintoherdesk.
“What?What’swrong?”Andreapeeredatthewhiteceramiccatvaseundertheiridescentplastic.
“Oh—ohmyGod.”Mirandabackpedaledaroundthedesk.
ThevasehadbeenagiftfromCrystal—Andrea’sfriendandMiranda’semployee.Itwastheirjoke
thattheywereconfirmedcatladiesofthecrazyvariety.Thevasehadgonemissingduringthestringof
break-ins.Itwasacheap,glassvase,butit’dmeantsomethingtoMiranda.
Andnowitwashere.
Inheroffice.
Whywasitthere?
Who’dputitthere?
Sheturned,eyeingthecloset,thedoor.They’dneverfoundthepersonwhobrokeintoherhome.She
wascertainitwasthestalker.Weretheythere?
“Miranda?”Andreastaredather,eyeswide.“What’swrong?”
Thebuzzofherphoneringingbarelypenetratedtheadrenalinefueledurgetorun.Flee.
“CallMax,now,please,”shemanagedtogetoutwithoutcryingorwhimperinginfear.
ToAndrea’scredit,shepulledoutherphonewhilecrossingtotheofficedoorandflippingtheflimsy
lockintoplace.
Mirandasnatchedherphonefromthedeskandbackedallthewaytothewall.
“Babe?I—what’swrong?”Raul’svoicedidn’tevencalmher.Hewasn’tthere.Hecouldn’tprotect
her.
“I—oh,God—Idon’tknow.Idon’tknow.Hemustbehere.Idon’tknow.”Shebabbledthesame
wordsoverandoveragain.
“Maxisonhisway,Miranda.”Andrealeanedagainstthedoor,herlipssetinagrimline,hereyes
widewithworry.
Ofcourse—becausetheonlypeoplewhoknewwerethegirls.Miranda’sclosestfriends.Everyone
elsethoughtshewascrazy.Paranoid.
He—whoeverhewas—knewwhereshelived.Heknewwheresheworked.Itwasn’tjustsmokeand
mirrors,shadowsandsuperstition.Notanymore.Itwasreal.
Sheslidtothefloor,herkneesdrawnuptoherchest.
Her home, even her office wasn’t safe. She’d thought for a moment she could be happy, but she
couldn’t.Notwiththispersonouttheretauntingherlikethis.
Raul side-stepped the receptionist who’d guided him deep into the Grunge Games building. One
glimpse of Miranda standing with her shoulders hunched and a tissue pressed to her mouth and he was
readyto—hedidn’tquiteknowwhat.Shehadn’tmadeabitofsenseonthephonebeforehe’dbeencut
off,andshehadn’tansweredhiscallssincethen.
Mirandaglancedupandherlipsparted.Themanspeakingtoherfrownedasshesteppedpasthimand
intoRaul’sarms.
“Thankyou,I’msorry,thankyou,”shesaidoverandoveragain.
“Hey,noproblem.What’sgoingon?”Hestrokedherhairandsqueezedhertohim.Atleastshe
appearedunhurt,butthetearsbotheredhim.Alot.
“Miranda...”Theman,acopjudgingbythebadgehangingfromaroundhisneck,glancedfromherto
himandthenintoanoffice.
“Idon’twanttoknow,”MirandasaidintoRaul’sshirt.
“Ineedtoaskyouafewmorequestions.”Theofficer’sgazejumpedbacktoRaul.“Youare?”
“Raul.Herboyfriend.What’sgoingon?”
“I’mMaxBowman,SeattlePD.Miranda,canyoupleaseanswerafewmorequestions?”
“No,Idon’twantto.”Sheshookherhead,faceburiedagainstRaul’sshoulder.“Pleasedon’tmake
me?”
“CanIhelp?AnythingIcananswer?”Raulwoulddojustaboutanythingtofixthis.
“Comeinhere?”Maxnoddedinsidetheoffice.
“Hey.”RaulbumpedMiranda’schin.“I’mgoingtogoinhereandseewhatheneeds,okay?”
“Hey,Miranda,wanttocomeinmyoffice?”Ashorter,twenty-somethinggirlsteppedup,wrappingan
armaroundMiranda’swaist.
“Thanks,Andrea,”Maxsaidbeforegesturingintotheoffice.
RaulwatchedMirandabeingledaway,downahallandoutofsight.
“Coming?”Maxcalledfromintheoffice.
“Whatthehellisgoingon?”
“HowlongyoubeenwithMiranda?”Maxasked.
“Longenough.”
“Knowaboutthestalker?”Maxstoodnexttoacircular,glasstable.Amanwithacameraignored
themboth,snappingpicturesofthesameflowersMirandahadsenthimapictureof.
“Stalker?What?”
“Notthatlong,then.”MaxscrawledsomethingelseinhisnotebookbeforeturningtowardRaul.His
gazewasnotfriendly.“WhendidyoumeetMiranda?”
“LastWednesday.Shebroughthercatintothevetclinic.”
“Andyou’dneverseenherbeforethen?”
“Whatthehellisthatsupposedtomean?”
“AreyouawarethatMirandahasbeen—isbeing—stalked?”
“What?No.”RaulandMaxstaredateachother.“YouthinkIdidthis?”
“Stalkersdotheirbesttogetclosetotheobjectoftheiraffection.”
“No.”Raulshookhishead.“Ididnotsendherthoseflowers.”
“WouldyoubewillingtosubmitaDNAsampletoprovethat?”
“DNA—what?”Raulfrowned.
“Justtoruleyourselfout.”Maxshrugged.
“Why?”
“Itappearsabraidofhairwasinsidetheplastic,wrappedaroundthevase.”Maxpulledagloveout
ofhispocketandusedthelatextopickupaplasticevidencebag.“ThereappearstobeDNAonthehair.”
Raulstared,mostofMax’swordsnotclicking.DNA.Hair.Vase.Whattheeverlovingfuckwasgoing
on?TheonlythingthatmadesensewasthatMirandaneededtobesafe,andprovinghewasonherside
wasparamount.
“Yeah.Whatdoyouneed?”Raulswallowed.
“It’sjustaswab.”Maxtookalongswabfromtheotherguy,andinamatterofmomentsthedeedwas
done.“Mirandaneedstogohome.Settledown.I’llcomebylatertotalk.Mycard.”
Raultookthecard,hisbrainmorethanalittlenumb.
SomeoneouttherewasscaringMiranda.HisMiranda.
Andshehadn’ttoldhim.
Mirandastaredatherpatiodoor.
Shehadn’tbeenabletodriveherself.Herhandswerestillshakingtoobad.Raulhadn’taskedher
questions,buttheywerecoming.
HeturnedtheJeepoffandforamomenttheysatinherdriveway.
“Canyougoinsideandcheckfirst,please?”Shehatedthatshewasscaredofgoingintoherown
house,butshehadn’tevenrealizedshe’dbeenvandalizedthefirsttime.
“Sure.Lockthedoorafterme,okay?”
Raulgotoutandshejabbedthelockbutton.Sheagonizedeverysecondhewasinside,readytocall
thecopsatthefirstsignofaproblem.Instead,Raulreturned,collectedherthings,andledherinside.
Withoutevenaraisedeyebrow.
Shewentstraighttothekittens,countingthemfirsttoensuretheywereokay.Onceshewaspositive
theywerefine,sheshedherworkclothesforsweatpantsandRaul’shoodie.
“Wanttotalkaboutitnow?”Raulsatatthefootofthebed,hisdarkgazeworried.
“No.”Shetuggedthehoodiedownoverherbottomandwishedshecouldcrawlinsideit,likea
protectiveshell.
“Comehere.”Raulspreadhisarmsandshejoinedhim,lettinghimhugherpiecesbacktogether.“I
needtoknowwhat’swrong.Maxsaidtherewasastalkerandbreak-ins?”
“Yeah.”
“Canyoutellmeaboutthem?”
Peoplefinallybelievedher,andallshewantedtodowasignoreit.Weirdturnofevents.
“Idon’treallyknowwhenitstarted.Afewyearsago,maybe?I’djustgetthis...feelingthatsomeone
waswatchingme.IthoughtaguywastakingpicturesofmeonthewalktothetrainstationoutwhereI
usedtolive.Ireportedit,butthecopslaughedatme.ToldmeIshouldbeflatteredsomeonewantedmy
photograph.Otherscalledmeparanoid.Onenight,someonebrokeintothehousewhileIwasathome.”
Shecouldtastethefear,eventhoughit’dbeen—what?Two,threeyearsago?
“I’vegotyou,”Raulwhispered.
“I’ddialed9-1-1butIwastooscaredtogetoutofbed.ThispersoncameintothebedroomandI
droppedthephone.Itriedtogetawaybuthegrabbedmeandheldmedown.”Sheburiedherfaceagainst
Raul’sshoulder,inhalingthesmellofdogsandlemonsoap.“Icanstillrememberhisbreath—itsmelled
likepeppermint.Istillcan’tstandpeppermint.”
“Whathappened?”
“Thecopsgotthere,andheranoff.Iwassoscared...”
“Andnoonefoundtheguy?”
“No.That’swhenmyparentsandItradedhouses.Icamebackhereandthingswerebetter.Everyone
saidIwaslucky.Thatitwasjustsomerandombreak-in,butwhodoesthat?Hedidn’t...doanythingto
me.”
“But...?”
“ButIcan’tshakethefeelingsomeone’sstillwatching.”
“Maxsaidsomethingaboutbreak-ins,liketheywererecent?”
“Yeah,afewmonthsago,Icamehomelate,gotintobed,andrealizedthewindowwas—Ithought—
open.Someonehadbrokenit,comein.Thecopscameout,saidImusthavescaredthemofforsomething,
becausenothingwasmissing.Thenthehousegotbrokenintotwomoretimes,andafewthingswere
missing.OnethingwasacatvaseCrystalgaveme.Crystal’soneofmyleadartists.”
“Andthevase...?”
“Theflowerswereinthevase.Myhairwaswrappedaroundthevase.”
“Wait—yourhair?”
“Yes.”
“Areyouserious?”
“Iam.”
“Fuck.I...thedetectivesaidsomethingaboutthatIjust...IassumedImisunderstood.”
“It’s...it’swreckedmylife.Myfriendships.AcoupleboyfriendsthoughtIwascrazyparanoid.”
“Sh.Youaren’t.Youaren’tanyofthat.”
“Ithought—hoped—itwasover.”Mirandasatupandcoveredherface.She’dbeensocertainitwas
done.
“Why?”
“Afewmonthsago,theVPofDarkMatterwent...crazy.Hewasalwayscrazy,butDoughiredaguyto
kidnapAndrea.”
“Andrea,thegirlwhotookyoutoheroffice?”
“Yeah,thatAndrea.DougkidnappedherandCrystal,itwasahugething.IjustassumedthatDoug
wasbehindthestalkingbecause—shit.It’salongstory.”
“Butnowyoudon’tthinkit’sDoug?”
“Nothinghappenedafterthebreak-insandhisarrest.Ijust...assumed...itwasover.Thatithadtobe
him...”
Ifitwasn’tDoug,whowasit?
“Okay,thenhere’swhatwedo,I’mgoingtogooverthehouse,makesureallthewindowsanddoors
arelockedandsecured.Then,doyouwanttogotomyplace,orafriend’shouse?”
“Notreally.”Herhomehadalreadyproventonotbethesafestplace...andyetshedidn’twanttogo
anywhereelse.SolongasRaulwastherewithher,he’dtakecareofher.
“ThenIsaywereheatthepizzaforanearlylunchandyou—ma’am—showmeonemoretimehowto
beatthatdungeon.”
MirandasqueezedRaul.Couldhegetanybetter?
Raulpickedupthelastoftheplatesandremnantsfromtheafternoon’scookout.Hewasstillsurprised
MirandahadinsistedongoingforwardwiththeiroriginalSaturdayplansafteryesterday.Shewandered
aroundtheyard,keepinganeyeonRaul’sone-eyed,three-leggedpug,Demon.Johnhadbroughtthedog
overasatrial,toseehowMiranda,LolaandDemonallgoton.Sofar,sogood.Thelittledogwasoneof
Raul’s first rescues. He’d been honestly shocked that the pug had survived the level of abuse he’d
sufferedbeforelandinginhislap.
Raulhaddonehisbesttokeepherbusyandentertained,buthecouldseethestrainandworrywearing
herdown.MaybewatchingDemon’santicswouldcheerherup.Thepugwasn’trightinthehead,buthe
wasanincrediblysweetdog.He’dtakenonelookatMirandaandfalleninlove,whichRaultotallygot.
Hecouldn’tevenbejealousoftheattentionshewaslavishingonDemon.
EverythinginRaulwassettoprotect,whichwasanotherreasonwhyDemon’sdistractionswere
welcomed.Sheneededsomeonetomakeherlaughandsmile.Rightnow,thatwasn’tRaul.Hismindkept
goingbacktoMax’sphonecalllatelastnight.Raulhadknownitwasbad,butnotthisbad.
Whothefuckstoleawoman’shairandthenjackedoffwithit?
IfRaulthoughtaboutittoomuchlonger,hewasn’tgoingtokeephiscool.
“Didhego?”Rauleyedthedog.Sometimeshecouldbeobnoxiouslypicky.
“Notyet.”
Figured.
“Hemightnotgoforawhile.Comeon,Demon,inside.”GoodthingJohnhadbroughtthepeepads
withhim.
Attheword“inside”thethree-leggedpugsprintedacrosstheyardandhurledhimselfuptheback
stairs.Hemissedoneoutofeverythreeandwouldtumbleback,onlytochargeupthestairsagain,
undeterredbythefall.Theyallgotinsidewithouttoomuchfuss,thedoorslockedanddishesputaway.
“Howyouholdingup?”RaulcaughtMirandaaroundtheshouldersandpulledherbackagainsthis
chest.
“I’mokay.Ithinktodaywentwell,don’tyou?”
“Yeah,everyone’sreallyexcited.Ithinkthoseprioritizedlistsreallyhelped.Thatwasgreatthinking.”
“Thanks.Ifoundtheywerereallyusefulwithmystaff.Youthinkthefundraiser’sgoingtogowell?”
“Ican’tseehowitwon’t.You’vegotitallfiguredout.”Heturnedheraroundandloopedhisarms
aroundherwaist.“Andyourfriendsofferingtocomeinandhelplikethatis—awesome.”
“Yousaythatnow.WaituntilRashaehasyoubackedintoacorner.”
“Icanholdmyown.Youreallysureyouwanttoofferuptheconceptgame?Youcouldmakealotof
money—”
“Stop.Yes.I’veheldontothose,knowingIdidn’twanttomakemoneyoffthem.They’respecial,but
theyshouldhelpsomething.Likeyourrescue.”Shesmoothedherhandsdownhischest.“DidJohnbring
yourotherstuff?”
“Yeah,Istuckitinthegarage.”
“Youshouldbringitin.”
“Wecangooveritlater.”
“Howmuchofyourstuffisleftthere?”
“Notsure.”Butitwasn’talot.Itcouldn’tbe.Practicallyallofhisclotheswerehere.Thefewpieces
offurnitureheownedshouldbeburned.Itwasalittlesadthatthegreatestsumofhispossessionswere
hiscollegetextbooks,ShivaandDemon.
“Wouldyoumind...doyouthinkyoucouldplanonlivingherefornow?Wecanstopplayingthis,are
youstayingheretonightgame.”
“You—areyousure?”Itwasabigstep,andfast.
“Idon’tfeelsafeherebymyself.Ifitweren’tforyou...Iwouldn’tbeabletostayinmyownhome.I
needyouhere.AndIlikeyouhere.”
“Okay,thenyeah.Whateveryouneed.”Hesqueezedhertohimandwishedtherewassomethinghe
coulddotofixthis.Tomakeallofherproblemsgoaway.“WestillneedtogooverwhatMaxsaidthis
morning.”
Mirandaglancedaway.
Atherinsistence,Raulhadtakenthecallwiththedetectiveandpromisedtorelayeverythingtoher
later.She’davoidedhismentionofitsofar.Therewasn’talotofthedayleft.
“Whatdidhesay?”Hervoicewasquietandshewouldn’tmeethisgaze.
“Notmuch.Hegavemesomemoredetailsabouttheflowers.Mostly,hewantedtoknowifyou’d
madeanymorenotes,anythingthatwouldhelpnarrowhissearch.”Raulwasnotgoingtotellherthesick
fuckthat’dsenthertheliliesincludedherhairandhisjack-offjuice.
Mirandashookherhead.
“Anything?”
“No.Nothing.Ithoughtitwasover.”
“Healsosaid...thatImightbethereasonyougottheflowers.”
“You?”Mirandafrowned.
“Yeah,thathavingme—aboyfriendatall—mighthavepushedthisguyovertheledge.”
“That’scrazy.”
“It’swhatDetectiveBowmansaid.”
“Well,youaren’tgoinganywhere.”
“That’swhatIthought,but,areyousure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,thatwasprettymuchit.Now,whatdoyousaytocheckingonthekittensandthensomeice
cream?”
Mirandasmiledandtheworryeasedfromherface.Makingherhappyandkeepinghersafe,werefast
becomingthemostimportantthingsinRaul’slife.He’dleftworkandgottenwrittenupwithoutasingle
thoughtabouttherepercussionsbecauseMirandamatteredthatmuchtohim.Thiswasnew,scaryterritory
for Raul. No woman had ever rated on a level with his dreams. But no other woman had ever shared
them,either.WhichmeantkeepingMirandawasatthetopofhislist.
10.
MirandatoweldriedherbodyandsteppedoverDemon,whojusthadtolieonherdirtyclothes.Thelittle
mutant-lookingdogwashernearly-constantshadowsincearriving,andshelovedhimforit.
SheblewoutthecandlesRaulhadlitbeforeleavinghertosoak.Themanwasanangelorsomething.
He’dtakenhercrazylifeinstrideandpracticallyheldherhandthroughallthetearsandfearslastnight.
Sure,they’donlyknowneachotheraweekandweretakinghugesteps—butitfeltright.Hemadeherfeel
secure.RashaeandMiranda’sparentsweregoingtoflipwhenshetoldthemRaulwasprettymuch
movingin,butshewasfollowingherheartonthis.Evenifitmeantshewassettingherselfupforfailure.
RashaewouldagainpointoutshewasbeingaSugarMama,butshedidn’tcare.Notwhenhewastheonly
thingholdinghertogether.
MaybeRaulwasonlyMr.RightNow,ormaybehewasMr.Right.She’dneverfindoutifsheletfear
crippleher.Movingforwardseemedliketheonlythingshecoulddo.Evenifthatmeantpissingoffher
stalker.Raulmadeherhappywhenlittleelsedid.Thatsicko,notsomuch.Ifthatmeantshespentalittle
moneyonthings,sowhat?
ShewrappedherfuzzyrobearoundherselfandwentinsearchofRaul.
Mirandafoundhimstandingatthesink,hand-dryingacoupleofdishes.
Shesmiledandtiptoedcloser.Shehadn’tcrossedhalfthedistancewhenheturnedaround,oneof
thosewarm,gooeysmilesonhisface.
“Feelbetter?”Heslidthedishintothecabinet.
“Much.You’vebeenbusy.”Colorhershocked.He’dcleanedupalmosteverythingfromtheirlittle
afternoongrillparty,allwhileshe’dsoaked.
“It’scompletelyself-serving.Idon’tintendongettingoffthecouchfortherestoftheweekend.”
Liar.
He’dgojogging,likehedidjustabouteveryevening.Shewouldn’tholditagainsthimthough.
Runningwaswhatkepthimsodamnfit.
Sheliftedup,brushinghislipswithhers.Hisarmswrappedaroundherwaist,pullingherbetweenhis
legsandagainsthischest.
“Youknow,wecouldstayinbedtherestoftheweekend.”Shepeeredupathim,enjoyingthehungry
wayhewatchedher.Itmadeherfeel...desirable.Wanted.
“That’snotabadplan.Infact,weshouldstartnow.”Hestraightenedandbeforeshecouldmove,he
sweptheroffherfeet.
Mirandalaughed.Hewasalwaysdoingthis,asifhelikedhaulingheraround.Ifsheweretooheavy,
orifcarryingherfromroomtoroomwasanysortofstrain,hewasn’tshowingit.Sheleanedagainsthis
shoulder,contenttoplayalong.Aweekago,shewouldhavesquirmedherwaybacktothefloor,butnow,
whatwasthepoint?Shewasrightwhereshewantedtobe.InRaul’sarms.
Hesetherdownonthebed,hisgazeboringdeepintoher.Shecouldfeelhiminhersoul,asifhe
belongedthere.
Raulbenthisheadandsealedhismouthtohers.Shecuppedthebackofhisheadasthewarmthinher
chestspreadlower.
Hepulledback,nippingherlowerlip.
“I’mgoingtogetthelights.”Hestraightened,hisgazesweepingdownherbody,ampinguptheheat
simmeringbelowherskin.
Shewatchedhimleave,trackedhisfootstepstothebackdoor,thentothefront,andupstairs.He
wasn’tjustturningoutthelights.Hewasdoingafull-onsweepofthehouse.Sincecominghome
yesterday,he’dtakenthehouse’ssecurityseriously,andsheadoredhimforit.Heneveroncesecond-
guessedasingleconcernshe’dhad.Hesimplyfiguredouthowtoaddressit.Andnowhehandledthose
worriesbeforesheevenhadthem.
Christ,hewasamazing.
Mirandaslidoutofbed,tornbetweenlightingcandlesorputtingonsomethingalittlesexierthanher
comfyrobe.
“Whatareyoudoing?IthoughtIputyouinbed.”
Shespunaround,caughtoffguardbyRaul’ssuddenreappearance.
Heprowledcloserandcuppedhershoulders,slidinghishandsdowntoherelbows.
“I’mnotgoingtosleepinmyrobe.”Shearchedabrowathim.Somuchformakingasplit-second
decision.
“You’regoingtobed,missy.”Hehookedhisfingersinthebeltandtuggedituntied.Hisgazedipped,
thenhischindropped.
Coolairskateddownhersternumandstomach.Shecurledhertoesintothecarpet,enjoyingthevery
interestedwayhestudiedwhathecouldsee.Averywet,coldthingpressedagainstherankle.
Mirandayelpedanddancedsideways.
ThepugsatatRaul’sfeet,hislittlecurlytailwigglingandhistonguelollingouttooneside.
“Demon,gotoyourbed.”Raulsnappedhisfingersandpointedattheplushdogbedontheotherside
oftheroom...linedwithMiranda’sclothes.Thelittlethief.Thepugmopedhiswayintothepileandlaid
down,atleastonegoogleyeyestillwatchingthem.Raul’sgazereturnedtoher.“Yougoingtosleeplike
that?”
“Whosaidanythingaboutsleeping?”
“It’sbeenacoupleofroughdays.Weshouldsleep.”Hewassayingalltherightthings—because
that’swhatRauldid.Butthewayhestaredather...itwasclearhehadotherideas,too.
“Wecansleeplater.”Shegraspedthehemofhist-shirtandlifted.Hecooperated,raisinghisarms
andlettingherstriptheshirtoff.
“Miranda...”
“What?”shelaidherhandsonhischest.
“Wedon’thaveto,youknow?”
“Iknow,butbeingwithyou...itmakesmefeelalive.”Shekissedhisjawandhisneck.
Shehookedherthumbsintothewaistbandofhisshortsandboxers.
Rightnow,beingwithRaulwastheonlythingthatmadesense.Theyclicked.She’dmuchratherthink
aboutthatthanlieawakeinbed,completelyobsessedwithwhatwasgoingonoutsideofthehouse,the
thingsshecouldn’tcontrol.
Mirandaknelt,takinghisclothestothefloorwithher.Hissemi-erectpeniswasaclearindicationshe
wasn’ttheonlyoneuninterestedinsleeping.Yet.
Sheshruggedoutoftherobeandreachedforhim,wrappingherhandaroundhisshaft.Hehadn’tyet
givenherthechancetodothisyet.Mostlybecauseanytimetheygottheirhandsoneachother,hewasthe
oneincontrol,carryingheraround.Thistime,itwasherturn.
Raul’shandscurledintofists.Holdingback?
Howniceofhim.
Mirandaslidherpalmupthelengthofhiserection,takinghertime.Thefeelofhiminherhand,the
wayhewatchedher...shehadallthepowerhere.
Sheleanedforwardandlickedthebulgingveinalongtheundersideofhiscock.Hemumbled
somethingandhisfingersbrushedhercheek,overherhair,asthoughhewasn’tsurewheretoputhis
hands.Sheswirledhertonguearoundthecrown,payingspecialattentiontotheslit.
Mirandapeeredupathim.Hislipswerepressedtightlytogether,hischeekssunken,andhisstare...her
heartstutteredinherchest.Hewasallpredator,focusedonher.Sheopenedhermouthandslippedhim
inside,strokinghislengthwithherhand.Hisfingerswereonceagaincurledintofists.Shegraspedhis
wrist,tugginghishandtoherhead.
Helaidhispalmagainstthecrownofherhead,histouchgentle.
Sherockedforward,hiscockhitthebackofherthroatandshesucked,groaningaroundhislength.
Raul’smutteredcurseswerelostinhersoundsofenjoyment.Hethrusthisfingersintoherhair,tugging
justalittle,forcingmoreofhimselfpastherlips.Eventhatlittlemotionthrilledher.Shewantedtoplease
him,tomakehimhappy,togivesomethingbacktothiswonderful,selflessman.
Raul’shandtightenedinherhair,pullingheroffhiscock.Sherockedbackontoherheels,lookingup
athim.Hisstarewasfierceandfulloffire.Hehookedhisotherhandunderherarm,half-helping,half-
dragginghertoherfeet.
Shegrinnedandlickedherlips.
Hewalkedherback,hismouthagainstherneck,theirbodiesbrushingandbumping.Everywherehe
touchedherfeltasthoughit’dbeenlickedbyfire.
“Stayrightthere.”Raulgrowledhiswords,makingthembarelyintelligible.Whatwasn’thardto
understandwastheintensewayhestaredather.
Sheleanedbackagainstthewall,herhandssplayed,groundingherselfinthecoolsurface.
Heyankedthenightstanddraweropenandjerkedacondomoffthestrip.Thewaytheyweregoing,
shewasgladhe’dboughtthevaluepack.Shewatchedhimripthepackageopenandwiggledhertoesinto
thecarpetasherolledthelatexon.Hernipplestightened,andherbreastsachedfromarousal.
Raulclosedin,crowdingherback,againstthewall.Heforcedhiskneebetweenherthighs,notthat
sheputupmuchresistance.Hecuppedhermoundandkissedher,thrustinghistonguebetweenherlips.
Shewrappedherarmsaroundhim,rockingagainsthishand.
Withoutbreakingtheirkiss,hebent,graspedherupperthighs,justbelowherass,andlifted.She
gaspedandclungtohisshouldersashehoistedherupagainstthewall.He’ddonethisoncebefore
againstthefridge,butherheartstilltriedtostop.
“I’vegotyou,”hewhisperedagainsthercheek.
Shedidn’tdoubtthathedid.He’dnevercomeclosetodroppingher,andforonceherweightwasn’t
thefirstthingtocometomind.No,thefirstthingthroughhermindwas...athrillofexcitement.
Heheldherthereforamoment,bothofthembreathing,thethreadofdesirestretchedtightbetween
them.Withoutspeaking,heletgoofherwithonehand,hisbodykeepingherpinnedtothewall,andfithis
cockagainsthervagina.Shegrippedhisshouldersalittletighterandeasedthedeathgripshehadonhis
hipswithherthighs.
Raul’shandsheldherwhileheflexedhiships,slidingeasilyintoherbody.Itwasn’tanintrusion,not
anymore.Thefeelofhiminsideofherwas...right.Asthoughhebelonged.Heleanedhisheadforward,
untilhisbrowrestedagainsthers.Gravity,combinedwiththeangleofpenetration,hadhiscockrubbing
anextrasensitivespot.Shewhimperedandarchedherback.
Heshiftedhisgriponher,forcingherkneesopenwider,andthenhemoved,glidinginandoutofher
body.
“Lookatme.”Hislipscaressedhersashespoke.
Shedidn’tknowwhenshe’dclosedhereyes,onlythatshehad.
Mirandaopenedthem,staringdeeplyintoRaul’sgaze.
Ifshe’dthoughthesawintohersoulbefore,nowitwasdeeper.
Hethrust,andherjawdroppedopen.Shewhimpered,nottheleastbitconcernedaboutkeepingthose
noisesin.Thenextthrustrattledtheframesonthewall,whichwasratherhot.Hekeptgoing,drivinginto
herwithasteady,slowneed,strokingthatflameofpassionhotterandhotter.Herbreastsrubbedagainst
hischest,thewiryhairsabradingandticklingherarousedfleshwitheachpass.
ThiswaswhoRaulwas.
Hemightbeslowandsteady,buthewasintent.Onher.Onhisdreams.Andshewasrightwhereshe
wantedtobe.Wrappedaroundhim,partofhislife.
Heleanedin,takinghermouthinademandingkiss.Histhrustsgrewshorter,rougher,needier.
Mirandatossedherheadbackandhislipsblazedatraildownherneck.Heliftedherashethrust,
grindingagainstherclit.
Shemoaned—long,needysounds.
“Comeon,”hewhisperedbetweenkisses.
Hermouthcouldn’tformwords.Shecouldn’ttellhimshewasrightthere.Allshecoulddowashold
onashedroveintoher.
Thecoilofdesiretightenedinherabdomenuntilshethoughtshewasgoingtoburstapart.Shearched
herback,findingjusttherightspot.Raul’scockrubbedagainstherwitheachpass.
Hewhisperedthingstoher,somedirty,somenotsodirty,butwhatmatteredwas—hewasasintoher,
intobeingwithher,asshewasintohim.Shegaspedhisname,shiftingherhips,ridinghimuntilherbody
nearlyburstapart.Themusclesinherabdomenspasmed,hervaginatighteningaroundhimatthesame
momenthegroanedandhisthrustsgrewrougher.
“Lookatme.”
Sheforcedhereyesopenandfeltherselftipping,fallingintolovewithhim.
11.
Twoweekslater...
Raulwipedhishandsonhisrentedtux.
WhenMirandahadsaidfancy“fundraiser”he’dexpectedglassesinsteadofplasticcupsandabutton-
downshirtwithcleanjeansinsteadofscrubs.
Notthis.
HewasjealousofJohn,who’doptedtohangbackbehindthescenestocalmafewoftheirmore
nervouspoochesfortheirmomentsinthespotlight.Therewasnodressinguptheoldbiker.
Raulturnedinacircle,stillbarelyabletobelievewhatMirandahadmadehappeninamonth.
Wherethehellhadallthesepeoplecomefrom,anyway?
ThingshadalmostgoneofftherailswhenMiranda’sfriend’sflightshadbeendelayed,canceled,and
rescheduledduetoaweirdstorm.Heck,he’dbarelybeenabletosaymorethanhitotheminpassing
beforetheshowwason.Sincetheflowersincident,she’dfocusedontheeventwithasingle-minded
determinationthatexhaustedhim.
RaulhadhopedherfriendsarrivingwouldcalmMirandadownabit,butno.They’dreceivedtheir
marchingordersandfellinline.
Herfriendsstuckout.Rashaewasresplendentinsomesortofred,glitteringgown,microphonein
hand,keepingtheattendeesfocusedontheagenda.Piperwassomewhereupinaboothdoingthingswith
music.WhichleftTamaraandherboyfriendtosupervisethesilentauction.Mirandawas...somewhere.
Everywhere.
Hewasgrateful.Hereallywas.Butthiswholethingwasoutofcontrol.Maybewhenthefundraiser
wasover,hecouldhavethewomanhe’dfirstmetbackagain.Notthathedidn’tappreciatewhatshewas
doing,but...hemissedMiranda.
“Thereyouare.”Shepulledthecurtainbackandhecringed.“Whyareyouhiding?”
Guilty.
“Just...takingitallin.”
“It’sturnedoutprettygood,I’dsay.”Shehandedhimafluteofbubblingalcoholandturnedtostand
nexttohim.
“Wheredidyoufindallofthesepeople?”
“Crystal.”
“Who?”
“Thegirlwhoworksforme?Remember?”
“Uh...”HestaredatMiranda,doinghisbesttonotlethisgazedroptohercleavage.She’ddonesome
sortoffemalemagictoboostthemupinthegoldgownshe’ddonnedfortheevening.Tiny,goldencatears
pokedupfromhersilkycurls,aflirty,funadditiontoanotherwisesmoking-hotoutfit.
“Her.”Mirandapointedouttoaclusterofyoungertwenty-somethings.Theyworeeveningattire,but
ina...trendier...style.Onegirlinparticularhadonafullskirtwithbedazzledcatsontheouterlayer.
“Andsheis?”
“Crystal.Oneofmyleadartists.Remember,Itoldyouaboutthethingwiththedeclawing?”
“Oh—right.Shesupportedacharitythatchangedtheirpolicyondeclawingcats.”
“Yeah,andCrystalisahardcoreanti-declawer.Herfamilyisalsofilthyrich,andsinceshe’sahighly
motivatedyoungwoman,shetendstoinspirethatsamekindofpassioninthosearoundher.”
“Right.Neverchangeourpolicyondeclawingandwe’regood.”
“Exactly.”Mirandaclinkedtheirglassestogetherandsipped.
Thereweresomanypeoplehere.Hewasanassfordreadingthisandjustwantingitover.Miranda
hadgonetosomuchwork.Itwastrulyastounding.
“HaveItoldyoulatelyyou’reamazing?”heasked.Hereallywasluckytohaveher.This,allofit,
wasoverwhelming.
“Ithinkyoumighthavesaidsomethinglikethatafewdaysago...Ibelievewewereinthegame
room...”Shepeeredupattheceiling,lipspursed.
“You,”hekissedhercheek,“areamazing.Thisseriouslywouldn’thavehappenedwithoutyou.”
“Well,thegoodnewsisthattheadvancedonationscompletelycoverthatdepositwetalkedabout.”
Mirandagrinned.
“Shutup.”Raulcontinuedtostareather,nowinawe.
They’ddiscussedwhatitwouldtaketomovetherescuefromtherentalhouseintoanactualfacility.
Thenumbershadseemedstackedagainstthem.Sofaroutofreachthathe’dmerelynoddedandsmiled
whileshetalked.Buttothinkitwaswithinreachinonenight?
“Andthemonthlypledgesarelookingpromising.Theautomatedsystemseemstobeworking
wonderfully,sothere’sagoodchancethatbytheendoftonight,you—myhandsomeman—areseveral
stepsclosertomakingthishappen.”
“Wow.Just—Idon’tknowwhattosay.”
“Nothing.Well,tomeanyway.Getoutthereandtalktopeople.You’rethefaceofthiswholething.”
Shegavehimalittlepushoutofthealcove.“And,nottoscareyou,butRashaehashereyesonyou.She’ll
probablycorneryouwhenyouleastexpectit.”
Raulreachedbackandgrabbedherhand.Ifhewasgoingtotalktothesepeople,he’dneedher
guidance.Thiswasn’taworldhewasfamiliarwith,muchlessfluentin.
“Wordofadvice?”Mirandaleanedinclose.“Talktotheoldergeneration.Theytendtobeonthe
lookoutforagoodtaxwrite-offthatwillmakethemlookgood.Theyoungerpeopleareeitherhereto
supportor...getfreebooze.”Shebumpedhim,clearlysteeringhimtowardsomeone.
Halfanhourlaterandalotofsmalltalkunderhisbelt,Raulwasfinallyfeelingasthoughhehada
handleonwhathewasdoing.Majorityofthepeopleinattendancewerelocalbusinessownersandafew
politicianswhoseemedtohavetheirownagenda.TherestwereclearlyMiranda’speople.Thegeeks
whowereassociallyawkwardasRaulfelt,atleastuntiltheygotontothetopicofvideogames.Miranda
movedinandoutofhiscircleofconversation,utterlyateasewithherroleineverything.
“Areyoutheguyinthatpuppypoolvideo?”
Raulturnedtowardayoungwomansippingfromacrystalflute.Everythingabouther,fromherbody-
contouringdresstotheglitteringstrandofgemsacrossherchest,screamedmoney.
“Thatwouldbeme,yes.”Heclaspedhishandsinfrontofhim.Thiswasaconversationthat’d
croppedupafewtimes.Man,howheregrettedlettingMirandatalkhimintodoingafewmoreofthem.
Shesaidthey’dgoneviral,whateverthatmeant.
“Youlookalotdifferentwithsomanyclotheson.”Theyoungwomanhadtobeinhermid-twenties,
andjudgingbythewayshegiggled,thechampagnewastohertaste,atleast.
“I’mnotinthehabitofswimminginatux.”
“You’resosilly.”Sheswattedathisarmanddidalittle...shimmything,scootingcloser.
“Thankyousomuchforcomingouttonight,Miss?”Hethrusthishandtowardher,agoodmovefor
wedgingalittledistancebetweenhimselfandsomeoftheheavierdrinkingguests.
“YoucancallmeSue.”Shegraspedhishandandheldontoit.
“Well,Sue,IneedtofindMiranda.”He’dfoundusingMiranda’snametobeatouchstone,areminder
ofwhathewasdoing,andashieldwhenitcametootherwomen.
“Who’sshe?”Suewrinkledhernose.
“Uh...thewomanoverthere?Golddress?”Mirandawasblissfullyunawareofhimorhissilentplea
forrescue.
“Oh,issheyourassistantorsomething?”Suewasnotgettingthepoint.Atall.
“No,she’smygirlfriend.”RaulkepthiseyesonMiranda.Shereallywasstunning.Andhewasdamn
luckytohaveherinhislife.
“Her?She’skindof...fat.”
IfRaulhadhackles,they’dbeup.
HeturnedslowlytowardSue.Shehadherchintippedup,regardinghim...likehisexhad.Asathing.
Notaperson.Andthatwasn’teventouchingonSue’sbitchycommentaboutawomanwithtentimesthe
successandbeauty.
“She’sthemostbeautifulwomaninthisroom.”RaulsqueezedSue’shandonce,andtwistedoutofher
grasp.“Haveagoodevening.”
Whathereallywantedtosaywas,Gofuckyourself,butMirandawouldhavehisballsforastatement
likethat.She’dmadeitinfinitelyclearthatthegoaltonightwasraisingfunds,notmakingfriends.
Hestrodeacrosstheroom,skirtingseveralgroupsandmerelynoddingtoafewpeoplewhocalledhis
name.
“Holdupthere,loverboy.”Onered,glitteringglove-encasedhandplantedinthemiddleofhischest.
Rashaecockedherhip,shiftingbetweenhimandMiranda.
Crap.He’dknownthiswascoming.
“Rashae.Nicetomeetyou.Sorrytherehasn’tbeentimetoreallytalk.”
“Mm-hmm.What’dpeachesn’creamovertherehavetosaythat’sgotyoustormingacrossthisroom?”
Rashaemissednothing.
“Nothing.”Raulscrubbedahandacrosshisface.
“Right.Whatevershesaidtoyou,it’salloveryourface,sowipeitoffbeforeMirandaseesit.She’s
sensitivelikethat.”
“Fuck.”Raulshifted,puttinghisbacktowardMiranda.
“Whathappened?”
“Nothing,justabitchygirl.”
“Oh,letmeguess?”Rashaesmiledandflippedherhair.“You’retoohottobewithher.Bewithme
instead.”
Raulstared.
“Please,Iseeitallthetime.Andyoudonotgoovertheretosweet,sensitiveMirandawiththatlook
onyourface.”Sheleanedincloser.“What’dyousaytothebitch?”
“NotwhatIwantedto,that’sforsure.”Hegrumbledafewchoicewords.
“Damn,Iwashopingyousaidittoherface.”
“Mirandatoldmenotto.”
“Oh,you’repouting.That’salmostcute.”
WhathadhetoldMirandahe’dsaytoRashae’sface?It’dbeenawhile...
“Gofuckyourself,”hesaid.
Rashaetippedherheadbackandlaughed,thesoundloud,booming.Hesnickered.Thewayshe
laughedwasinfectious.
“You’reallright,DrC.”Rashaesmackedhisshoulderwithafolded,redfanthatmatchedherdress.
SheglancedatMirandaandleanedcloser.“How’sshedoing?Forreal.”
Raulopenedandclosedhismouth.
“Seriously.Tellme.What’sgoingon?”Rashae’sgazewasrazorsharp.
“She’s...I’mworriedshe’sfocusingonthis—allofit—insteadof,youknow.”
“Thestalkerthing.”
“Yeah.”
“Icanseewhyshe’dwanttothrowherselfintosomethingthatmakesherhappyinsteadoflivingin
thatnightmare.”
“Yeah,Ijustworryabouther.”
“Andthat’swhyyou’reallright,Dr.C.Ihadmydoubtsaboutyou,butyouseemtobeaprettyokay
guy.”
“AmIrightthough?”
“Tobeworriedabouther?”
“Yeah.”
“Iam,too,but...You,andthis,makeherhappy.It’sbeenalongtimesinceMirandahadanything
outsideofworktobehappyabout,soIwon’ttakethatawayfromher.”
“Okay.”Raulblewoutabreath.
“What’sbotheringyou?”
“Nothing.”
Rashaestaredathim.
Raulrolledhiseyes.
“Fine.Ijust...I’mworriedabouther.Andthis.Allofit.Iwantittobeaboutusanddoingsomething
good.Not...thebadstuff.”
“Itisgood,andI’mgladyou’reawarethatMirandacangoover-board.That’swhywe’rehere.To
pullherback.”
Raulnoddedandthestressofitallfelloffhisshoulders.Hewasn’ttheonlyonelookingoutfor
Miranda,andthatmattered.
“We’llhavetohangoutlater,”Rashaesaid.
“Cool.”HeblinkedafewtimesasRashaesashayedaway,notentirelysurewhathadjusthappened.
Werethey...friendsnow?Thetensionhe’dfeltinhisshoulderswasgone.Yeah,Suewasstillabitch,but
thatwasn’thisproblem.
Raulturned,searchingagainforMiranda.
There.
Hestrolledtowardher,admiringhersmile,thewayshe...glowed.
Mirandaglancedathimonceasheclosedinonher,thendidadoubletake.
“Raul—”
Hewrappedhisarmaroundherwaistandpressedabrief,chastekisstoherredlips.Hepulledback,
givingthemanshewastalkingtoasheepishsmile.
“Sorryfortheinterruption.”HeofferedhishandandkepthisarmaroundMiranda’swaist.Itjustso
happenedshefitperfectlyagainsthim.“Hi,I’mRaul.”
“Raul—thisisCliff.”Mirandapressedherhandagainsthischest.“Technically,he’smyboss.”
Well,shit.
Firstimpressions,apparently,weren’thisstrongsuit.
Frankhungback,keepingmostlytohimself.Heknewagoodmajorityofpeopleintheroom,but
tonightwasaboutobservingMirandainallherglory.
He’drecognizedherpotentialyearsago.Watchinghergrow,mature,andsucceedwasoneofthemost
satisfactorythings.Butshe’dgoneofftherailssomewhere.It’dneverbeenclearerthanrightnow,what
withthatpieceoftrashclingingtoherside.
Theemcee,Rashae,tooktothestageafterabrieftouraroundtheroom.Leaveittohertoshowupat
aneveningeventstillincosplay.Granted,mostofthepeopleinattendancewouldn’trecognizetheSailor
Marsformalgown,buthedid.
HewasreallygoingtohavetotalktoMirandaaboutthecompanyshekept.Whileheadoredhowshe
usedhermindtocreateimmersivegameexperiences,itwaspasttimeshegrewup.Alot.
Onebyone,thewinnersoftheauctionwereannounced,theirdonationsapplauded,andpraiserained
downuponthenarcissisticcompany.Whenitcamehisturn,hemerelynoddedandhungbackwhilethe
finalannouncementsweremade.
“Frank,sogoodtoseeyouhere!”Mirandasteppedthroughthecrowdandhisheartmelted.
“YouthoughtI’dmissthis?”Heheldouthisarm,butinsteadofgivinghimhishug,sheclaspedhis
handinstead.There’dbeenadaywhenshe’dturnedtohimforsupport.Andthiswashowshetreatedhim
now?
“It’sfantastic,isn’tit?Thankyouagainforcoming.”Shesqueezedhishandagain,andwasgone,the
crowdclosingranksaroundher.
Thefucktheywereover.
Thiswasunacceptable.
ItwastimetohavemorethanachatwithMiranda.Itwastimetoreinherinandputherinherplace.
Hestrolledaroundtheperimeteroftheroomtowardthebrownone.Raul.Thefuckingboyfriend
impersonator.
ThiswaswhoMirandahadletintoherlife?
Foramoment,Frankwatchedtheyoungerman.Heturnedinplace,shakinghands,andspeakingto
peoplewithaslightlynervousedge.Hewasn’tatallthekindofmanwhodeservedagemlikeMiranda,
butFrankwouldtakecareofthat.
ThecrowdaroundRaulthinnedandFranksteppedin.
“Dr.C,congratulationsontonight.”FrankclappedRaulontheshoulder,morethanalittlegratifiedby
howtheothermanjumped.
“No,thankyou.Fromthesoundofit,you’retherealwinner.CongratulationsonwinningtheDrudge
conceptpackage.”RaulclaspedFrank’shand,givingitafirmsinglepump.
“I’vebeenafanofMiranda’sworkfromthebeginning.”
“Oh,really?”
“Yes.”Frankgrithisteeth.Shehadn’tevenmentionedhim?“Say,Ihaveapropositionforyou.”
“Okay...?”Raulshovedhishandsinhispocketsandshiftedhisweight.Little,uncomfortabletells.
“WhatwouldyousayifIofferedtodoublemydonationifyouthrewindinnerwiththebrainbehind
thegame?”
“Doubleit?”Raul’sbrowsrose.
“Sure.Butonlyfordinner.”
“That—wow—thatsoundsamazing.”
Frankofferedhishand.
Theidiotwouldsellhissoulfortherightprice.
Mirandacollapsedontothesofainthegreenroom.RashaewasalreadystrippingoutofherSailor
Moonget-uptogoplaywiththepuppies,andbothPiperandTamarawerenotyetdonewithsitting
aroundandkeepingtheirfeetup.
“Hey,thanksagainforbringingSteven.Hewasahugehit.”Mirandaswiggedsomewater.Shenever
drankenoughattheseeventstokeephydrated.
“Oh—please.Helovedthisstuff.”Tamararolledhereyes,butthesmilewasthetruetell.Shewas
happy.
“I’monlysorryKobedidn’tgettocomewith.Whathappened,Piper?”Mirandaturnedherheadin
timetocatchPiper’sgrimace.
“He’sbeingweird.”Shesighed.
“What’supwithhim,anyway?Didn’thebreakupwithyouaweekago?”Rashaecrammedherfeet
intoslip-ons,butwasotherwisereadytogorollwiththepuppies.
“Yeah.It’s...Idon’tknow.AnytimeIthinkthingsaregood,hesortofdisappears.IknowItoldhimI
wantedtokeepthingscasual,butthisyo-yoon-again-off-againisseriouslytryingmypatience.”Piper
pushedtoherfeet,thenwiggledoutofherdress.
“Didyoumeethimyet?”MirandaaskedTamara.
“Uh,yeah,wedidadoubledateaweekago,”Tamarasaidslowly.
TherewassomethingTamarawasn’tsharing.Becauseshedidn’twanttohurtPiper’sfeelings?Or
becauseshehadsuspicionsshecouldn’tbackup?Whateveritwas,Mirandawouldhavetoworryaboutit
anothernight.Theyhadthewholeeventtopackup,aswellasdozensofanimalstocarthomeandto
fosterparents.Shewasn’tgoingtogettorollintobeduntiltheearlymorninghours.
Mirandachangedintoyogapants,ahoodie,andflip-flopsbeforebravingtheballroom.
Shewasoverjoyedwithwhatthey’dpulledoff,buttherealworkwasabouttobegin.Withthe
necessaryfundsinplace,theycouldpushthepaperworkthrough,signthelease,andgetthefosterbabies
intoamorecontrolledenvironment.Somanythingstodo,andthatwasn’teventakingintoaccountherjob
orthethingsshehadcomingup.
“Hey,thereyouare.”Raulwaylaidherinthehallway.
“Hey,you.What’sup?”Mirandaturnedintohisarms,slidinghersuparoundhisneck.Thingshad
beentensebetweenthemoverthelastweekorso.Shewashopingthingswouldsmoothoutnowthatthe
eventwasbehindthem.
“TheguywhowontheDrudgeconceptset?”
“Frank?”
“Yeah.Frankdoubledhisdonation.”
“Oh?”Mirandadreadedthatsentence.Frankwas...hewasagoodguy,buthesetoffhercreep-o-
meter,eventhoughhe’dneverdoneanythingwrong.Infact,he’dalwaysencouragedher,evenintheearly
days.
“Hejustwantedtohavedinnerandtalkthegameoverwithyou.”
“What?”Mirandashookherheadandherstomachchurned.“No.”
“But...youweren’tansweringyourphone.Ialreadysaidyes...”
“What?Whywouldyoudothat?”Mirandasteppedback,outofRaul’sembrace.
“Yousaid...earlieryousaidtodowhateverittookfor—”
“Yeah,smile,endureweirdconversations,putupwithpeoplefortonight—notauctionyourgirlfriend
offtosomeoneyoudon’tevenknow.”
“He...but...hesoundedlikeyouwerefriends...”
“That’snotthepoint.Youdon’tknowanythingaboutFrank.Whoheis.Whatifhewassomepsycho
killerweirdoandyoujustsoldyourgirlfriendtohim?”
“Ididnotsellyou.Hewanteddinnerandgametalk.”
“Youputapricetagonme.”
“No,nothat’snotwhatIdid.”
“I’mnotdoingthat.No.”
“Healreadywroteacheck.Ican’tgivethatback.”
“Well,I’mnotgoingonadate—becausethat’swhatFrankwillseeitas—formoney.”
“Miranda.”Raultookasteptowardherandshebackedup,excepthislegswerelonger,andthewall
trappedher.Hegraspedherhands,hisbrowlined,lipsturneddown.
Shecouldn’treconcilethesweet,kindmanshe’dcometoknowwiththisperson.Theonewho’dsell
hertothehighestbidder.Foragoodcause,butstill.Shouldn’tshegetasayinthis?Thewholethingfelt
likeanawfulviolationofhersafety.Ofhertrust.He’dcompletelylostsightofthem.Theonlythingthat
reallymatteredtoRaulwashisrescue.Asmuchasshelovedhimforbeingthisselflesswhenitcameto
animals,italsostungtorealizewheresherated.She’dnevermatterenoughtohim.
Inthatmoment,sheunderstoodhisex-fiancé.NotthatMirandawouldstealShivaorDemon,butshe
gotit.Anditsuckedtobesmackedinthefacebyreality.
Shewasbeingthesugarmamaagain.
Raulhadn’tneededtoask.She’dthrownherselfintotheexactsamerolealloveragain.Andforwhat?
Amanwhowouldneverloveherasmuchasshelovedhim.
Shelovedhim.
Mirandahadn’tadmittedittoherselfbutshe’dfallenforhimthenighthetookherhomeafterher
stalkersenthertheflowers.He’dheldherwhileshebawled,andinthatmomentshe’dfallenforhim.But
hedidn’tloveher.Andmaybeheneverwould.
“Therehastobeasolution.Yousaidtodowhateverittooktogetthebiggestdollaramountfrom
peopletonight,sothatwaswhatIusedasmyguidewhenIcouldn’tgetyouonthephone.”Hesqueezed
herhands.
“WherewasIsupposedtokeepaphoneinthatdress?”
“Ishouldhaveaskedyoufirst.What’sdoneisdone.Can’twefigureoutasolution?WhatifIgowith
you?It’snotadateifyourboyfriendisthere.”
AneveningspentwithFrankstillsoundedlikeanawkward,miserablewaytopassthetime.Buthe
washarmless.Hell,she’dknownhimsinceshewasakid.Herfatherusedtoworkinthesamebuilding
withFrank,whichwashowthey’dmet.Frankhadtoomuchmoneyandaneyeforinvesting.She’dneeded
backersforwhatwouldbeafailedendeavor,butFrankhadbelievedinher.
Itwasn’tasifRaulwereaskinghertodateherstalker.Frankwastoo...awkwardforsomethinglike
that.
“Fine.We’llallgoouttogether.”
“See?AndifhesaysanythingaboutitnotbeingwhatheexpectedI’lljusttellhimhemisunderstood.
Problemsolved.”Raulbent,pressingakisstoherbrow.
Itwastheperfectsolution,buthergutstillsaiditwasabadidea.Allofit.
12.
RaultrudgedupthestepstoMiranda’shouse,sweatandcoolraindrippingoffhim.He’dthoughtarun
mighthelphimfindtheanswersheneededafterspendingthelastfewdays—sincethefundraiserandthe
girl’sleaving—inafunk.Nosuchluck.
Thingsshouldbeawesome.
Thefundraiserhadsolvedtheirmoneyproblemsacrosstheboard.
Thisshouldbethemostexcitingperiodofhislife.Theywerefillingoutthepaperwork,they’dtoured
threepossiblesites,andyet,everytimehelookedatMirandahefeltasthougheverythingthatmattered
wascrumblingaroundhim.
Hefitthekeyinthelockandlethimselfintothehouse.
Thefrontroomwasdark.Shivayawnedathimfromthesofa.Lolaandthebabieswereupstairs,now
thatthekittenswereintotheextremelymobileanddestructivestage.Hecrossedintothekitchen,peering
intothedimbedroom.Miranda’sfacewasup-litbyherlaptopscreen.Judgingbyhowloudlyshebanged
thekeys,shewaseitherwritingor...something.
Rauldranksomewaterwhilehemulledoverhisoptions.
Hecouldleavethingsbe,holdonfortheride,andhopeMiranda’sruffledfeatherssettledontheir
own.
OrhecouldaskMiranda,yetagain,whatwasbotheringher.
He’dattemptedtodiscusstheauctionfiascowithher.Sofar,she’dstonewalledhim.
Therewasnowinningthis,notuntilMirandachosetotalktohimaboutit.Andthatkilledhim.All
becauseofastupiddinnerwithsomeoneshealreadyknew.
Fuck.
Ifhecouldgobackandsayno...
Butthatmoneywasgoingtobuythemsomeveryexpensiveequipment...
Mirandawasworthmoretohimthanequipment,butthosemachinesmightbethedifferencein
decidingifhecouldquittheclinicandworktherescuefulltime.
Shit.
Therewasnoeasyanswer.
Heputthecupinthesink,didaquickonce-overofthehouse,ensuringallthewindowsanddoors
werelocked,thenbravedthebedroom.
“Hey,babe.How’sthewritinggoing?”
“I’mnotwriting.”Hertonewasflat,andshedidn’tevenglanceupathim.
Whatthehellwashesupposedtodo?
Raulsteppedintothebathroom.Heneededashower.Thenhe’dprobablygogetafewgamesinwhile
sheslept.Workinghisfrustrationoutonimaginarycharacterswasfarmoreproductivethanhavingitout
withMiranda.Except...theyweresupposedtobeinthistogether.Whycouldn’thesharethemostexciting
timeofhislifewithheranymore?Hewouldn’tbeherewithouther.
“Whatareyouupto?”Heleanedonthebathroomdoor,wishingthepathbacktoherwassoclearly
marked.
“Nothing.”
“Okay.”
Shecontinuedtotype,clearlydoingsomething,butnothingshe’dsharewithhim.Anymore.
Aweekagothatwouldn’tbethecase.She’dhavebabbledathimaboutideasandthingstheywere
goingtodotogether.
Butitwasnow.
Thingsweredifferent.
“Canwetalk?”heasked.
“What’sup?”Shedidn’tevenglanceupfromthescreen.
“Willyoustoptypingandtalktome?”
Mirandatappedthekeysafewmoretimesbeforefoldingherhandsoverherlapandspearinghim
withalookhecouldonlycallcautious.
“Areyoustillupsetabouttheauctionthing?”Afterdiscussingitandcomingtoanagreement,he’d
thoughtthewholeincidentwasbehindthem.He’davoidedthesubject,hopingafewdaysnottalking
aboutitwouldsmoothmattersover.Nowhecouldtellthatwasexactlytheoppositeofwhatheshould
havedone,andtheywerefarfrombeingonthesamepage.
“Yes.”
Nohesitation.
Nobeatingaroundthebush.
Heappreciatedthat.
“Okay.”Hecrossedtothesideofthebedandsatnexttoherfeet.Demongavehimaone-eyedglare.It
wasclearhisdoghadafavorite,anditwasn’thimanymore.“Canwetalkaboutit?”
“Whatistheretosayyouhaven’talreadysaid?Ishouldn’tbeupsetbecauseyouonlydidwhatIsaid
todo,andI’dbehavingdinnerwithafriendanyway,isthataboutit?”
Raulwinced.Yup.Thosewerehiswords.Hisveryincorrectwords,itwouldappear.
“Iclearlydidn’tunderstandthefullpicturehere.Canyouexplaintomewhyyou’restillupsetwith
me?”Hesethishandsonherfeet,herblanket-coveredfeet,butstillher.Itwasaboutasmuchcontactas
she’dpermittedthelastfewdays.
“Myproblemisthatyouseezeroissuewiththrowingyourgirlfriendinforabargain.Yousawaway
tomakemoremoneybyusingme.Me.”Shejabbedherfingeratherchest.“Youneverstoppedtothink
abouthowI’dfeelaboutit.”
“IthoughtIwasdoingwhatyouwanted.IgetthatImadethewrongcallnow,andagain—I’msorry.
Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
“Iwantyoutothinkaboutme.”
“Iam.That’swhyI’mtryingtotalktoyou.”
“No,you’retryingtofigureouthowtohaveyourcakeandeatit,too.”
“What’sthatsupposedtomean?Miranda,you’reclearlyupsetaboutsomethingI’mnotgetting.”
“Fine.Youwantmetospellitoutforyou?You’resoinlovewiththisrescuethatyou’lluseanyoneto
getwhatyouwant.Andinthiscase—youusedme.AndIdon’tlikeit.”
“I—what?No.Ineveraskedyoutodoanyofthis.Youpracticallyhadthewholethingorganizedand
donebeforeIevenknewaboutit.Thelastthingyougotmyinputonwasthedamnwebsiteamonthago.”
“BecauseIdidn’tunderstandyourworldorder.Therescue.Theneveryoneelse.IthoughtIactually
matteredtoyou.”
“No.That’snotthedeal.IthoughtIwasdoingwhatyouwanted.”
“AndlettingsomedumbbimbostickherhandsdownyourpantswaswhatIwanted?”
“What?”
“Yeah.Pipergotthatonvideo.”
“The—thatredhead?No.”Raulshookhishead.“Shereachedformyhandinmypocket.Istepped
back,Itoldherno,andIwentstraighttoyou.”
“Younevertoldmeaboutthat.”
“Ididn’tknowIwassupposedtoreporteveryinstanceofsomeonehittingonmetoyou.”
“Whateverittakestogetthemoney,right?”Mirandarolledhereyes.
“Thisisn’tfair.You’repissedatmebecauseImisunderstoodwhatyousaidtodo.Iownthat.Ihave
apologizedeveryfuckingdayformyscrewup.Frankistotallyfinewithmetaggingalongfordinner.I
don’tknowwhatelsetodotomakeyouhappy,Miranda.Therescuedoesnotmattermorethanyou.Ifyou
wantmetotellyoueverytimesomewomanI’mnotattractedtohitsonme—fine.”
“Whywouldn’tyoutellmeaboutthat?”
“Theredhead?”
“Yes.”
“Becauseshewasdrunkandembarrassingherself.”
“Andthatdoesn’tevenrateamention?”
“No,becauseafterIwalkedawayIforgotaboutit.”
“ThenwhydoyouknowexactlywhatI’mtalkingabout?”
“Shit.Whatdoyouwantmetosay?I’msorry.Wouldyoulikemetolistouttheothercompletely
inappropriateencountersoftheevening?”
“Thereweremore?”
“Yeah,Idon’tknowwhothefuckbroughtsomeofthosewomenin,buttheyhadnoboundaries.”
“Whathappened?”
“Besideshands-down-my-pants?Therewassomerichbimbowhothoughtshecouldtellmetofuck
herandI’ddoitformoney.Thentherewasthechickwhocompletelydisrespectedyou—tomyface.And
threeotherairheadswhocouldn’tseemtocomprehendthewordsI’mdatingsomeone,nothanks.”
“Wow,youmustfeellikerealhotshit.”Mirandacrossedherarmsacrossherchest.Neveragood
sign.
“No.No,that’snotwhatIfeellike.Shit?Yes.DoIfeelgoodaboutit?No.Hellno.”
“Mustbesohardbeingyou.”
“Youwanttobepissedatme,don’tyou?NothingIsayisgoingtofixthis,isit?”
Miranda’sglarecoulddrawblood.
Haddrawnblood.
Well,hewasn’tgoingtosithereandbleedforheramusement.
“I’msleepingonthecouch.”
Raulpushedtohisfeetandstormedintothelivingroom,pacingbackandforth.
Howdidhefixthis?Howhadhesomonumentallyscrewedthingsupinonenightwithouteventrying?
Mirandapresseddialtotheclinic’snumber.
Again.
“Hi,Jen,it’sMiranda.Again.”
“Hey!Raul’sstillnotoutofsurgery,I’msorry.”
Shit.
MirandastaredupatthefancybuildingshewasduetomeetbothFrankandRaulat.
“Howlongdoyouthinkhe’llbe?”sheasked.
“He’shadmecallingtheemergencysurgeonforthelastfourhours.He’sreallytryingtogetoutof
here,but...”
“Okay,thanksforlettingmeknow.”
Mirandahungupandbitherlip.Again.
Foralltheirfightingthisweek,hewasstilltheonepersonshewantednearby.Especiallynow.
TherewasnologicalreasonforFranktogiveherthecreeps.She’dknownthemanforoverfifteen
years.Whatwasthebigdeal?
Andyet,hergutstillsaidtorun.Togohome,lockthedoorsandwaitforRaultogetthere.
Butthatwassilly,wasn’tit?
Behavinglikethatmeantherstalkerwon.Itwouldalienateher,keepheralone,scared...
No.Shehadtosuckitupanddealwithlife.Thesamewayshe’dbeendoingthingssincebeforeRaul,
thoughhemadehandlingitinfinitelybetter.
Sheblewoutabreath,tappedoutatexttoRaul,andgatheredherthings.
Itwasjustdinner.
She’dbefine.
Ifnothingelse,maybeshecouldfinallyputthiswholethingbehindher.Yes,shewasmadandhurtat
Raul,buttherewasonlysomuchmileageasinglemisunderstandingcouldget.Except,thenshelookedat
Raulandshegotsocrazymadalloveragain.Itmadenosense,andyetitdidbecausethisthingwithhim
mattered.
Tonightwhenshegothome,itwouldbedifferent.
Shehadtopromiseherselfthat.
ShewasinlovewithRaul.
Hemightneverbecapableoflovingherbackthewayshelovedhim,butinthegrandschemeof
things,maybeitwasworthitifitmeantshewouldn’tbealoneanymore.
Shelockedhercar,pushedhershouldersback,andstrodeupthewalktothefrontdoors.Theplace
wassomesortofsmalleventsite.Frankhadmentionedsomethingabouthiringaprivatechefandmaking
useoftheviewingroomtoreallyappreciatetheDrudgeconcepts.Frankwasatrueeccentric—intelligent,
strange,andbrilliant.Therewasnounderstandinghimsometimes,whichwashalfhischarm.Orhad
been.Somewherealongthewayhe’dbecomecreepy.
Mirandaapproachedthefrostedglassdoorsandletherselfin.
Thestrandsoffamiliarmusicmadehersmile.
She’dneverrealizedFrankwassointotheDrudgegames.He’ddiscouragedherfromstartingGrunge
Gamessohardshe’dalwaysassumedhedidn’tlikethedirectionshe’dtakenthings.Itwasnicetofind
outshewaswrong.
Whatelsewasshewrongabout?
“Frank?Youhere?”Mirandawanderedthroughthenarrowentryandintothemainspace.
Shepaused,sputteringalaugh.
Onesideoftheareahadanopen,galleykitchenandbar.Frankstoodbehindtherange,flameslicking
uparoundafryingpan.Hehadanapronwrappedaroundhimself.
“Miranda!Comein.Haveaseat.I’mjusttinkeringaroundabit.Youlikescallops,don’tyou?”Frank
flippedlittlewhitediscswrappedinwhatappearedtobecrispybaconontoaplate,whereparsleyleaves
werealreadyplaced.
“Thatlooks...delicious.”Sheslidontoastoolwithineasyreachoftheplate.
“Hopeyouthinkso.”Frankglancedupandsmiled.Theyearshadbeenkindtohim.Despitehisfailing
senseofstyle,he’dagedintoadashingsilverfox.“Waituntiltheycoolabit.”
“Thisisfantastic.”Shestudiedtheroomandtheviewofthewaterwiththesunsettingonthehorizon,
paintingthecloudsinanepiccolorscheme.“How’dyoufindthisplace?”
“Iknowtheowner.”
“Oh.”Sheleanedoverthebar,peeringatwhathehadlaidout.“Areyoudoingallthecooking?”
Shit.She’dkindofhopedtheycouldtalkastheyate,eventhoughFrankwasaone-thing-at-a-timekind
ofguy.Ifshehadtowaitforhimtocook,eat,andfinallygooverthegame...shecouldbeherealldamn
night.
“It’saspecialoccasion.”Heglancedup,hissmilealittlechilly.“Ididn’twanttoshareitwithanyone
else.”
Mirandafoughtagainstashiver.
“Raul’ssorryaboutbeingsolate.Therewasanemergencyattheclinic.He’llbehereassoonashe
can.”Shepinchedthecharmatherneckandsaidasilentprayer.
Frankignoredherstatementinfavorofpouringthemeachaglassofwine.Shewasn’tkeenon
drinkingtonight,butsheacceptedtheglassregardless.
“How’syourfamily?”Frankasked.
“Good.Dad’senjoyingretirement.Ithinkmom’sreadytogethimoutofthehouse.”
“Whatdoyouthinkofthewine?”Heleanedagainstthecounter,peeringatherglass.
Well,crap.
Sheliftedtheglasstoherlips,lettingtheliquidsloshonhermouth,butkepthertastetothebarest
minimum.
God,itwasawfulstuff,butthewayFrankwaswatchinghermadeherwonderjusthowmuchthe
bottlehadsethimback.Whywasitthemostexpensivewinesalwaysseemedtotastelikeass?Maybeshe
wasn’tsophisticatedenoughforwine.
“That’sgood.”Shesettheglassdownandfoldedherhandsaroundthestem.
“I’mgladyoulikeit.”Frankpickeduptheknifeandsetaboutchoppingmorethings.
Mirandadrewcirclesonthecountertopandglancedatherphone,buttherewerenonewmessages.
PartofherfeltrottenforbeingfrustratedwithRaul.Hecouldn’thelpthatanemergencyhadhappened,but
hecouldhopefullyfixtheanimal.God,shewasbeingselfish.
“Youlooklovelytonight.”Frank’swordsstartledMirandaoutofherspiralingthoughts.
“Thankyou.”
“You’vegrownintosuchabeautifulwoman.I’llneverforgetthefirsttimeIsawyou.”Frankchuckled
andshookhishead,knifemovingamileaminuteashechopped.“Ithinkyouwere—eighteen?Company
party.Youhadonshortsandashreddedupshirt.”
Mirandagulped.Comingfromanyoneelse,thatwouldbecreepy.
No.Itwasstillcreepy.
Frank’sgazeliftedfromthecuttingboardtoherbreasts.
“It’snicetoseesomethingshavegottenbetterwithage.”
“Okay,I’mgoingtocallRaulrealquicktoseewhereheis.”
Holyhell,whathadgottenintoFrank?
Thenextthinghe’dsayisthatitwassuchashamethey’dnever—
“Youknow,it’sstrangethatwe’veneverdatedbeforenow,”hesaidcasually.
Mirandashivered.
Frankwasasoldasherfather.Herdad.ThemanFrankhadbeenfriendswith.Itwaswaymorethan
Mirandacouldhandle.
Shepickedupherphoneandclutch.
“Raul—”
“Stopsayingthatname.”Frank’svoiceboomedintheemptyspace.Heslammedtheknifedown,his
gazespearinghertothespot.
MirandastartedandstaredbackatFrank.Frankyankedattheapronstringsandstalkedaroundthe
bar.
She’dknownthemanforhalfherlife,andhe’dalwaysbeenalittleodd.Butneverlikethis.
Thiswasamanshedidn’tknow.Hewasn’tthesameFrankshe’dlearnedhowtodealwithbecause
hewasherfather’sfriend.Hewassomeoneelse.Someoneverythreatening.
“Frank,let’stalkaboutthis.”Mirandabackedtowardthedoor,herpulsejumpingandhandsbeginning
tosweat.
“Youkeepthrowingthatman’snamearound,butdoyouevenknowhim?Howisapoorveterinarian
supposedtotakecareofyou?Hecan’teventakecareofhimself!Lookatwhatyou’vedoneforhim.That
fundraiser.Thestringsyoupulledtogetsomeonetotaketheirapplicationseriously.Howissomeonelike
thatsupposedtoreturnthefavor?”Frank’sfacewasrednow.Aveinbulgedonhisforehead.
Wait—what?
“Howdoyouknowthat?”Mirandahadn’tbreathedawordaboutchattingupanacquaintance.Notto
anyone.
“I’mtheonlyonewhohasevercaredaboutyou.”Franksmackedhisfistagainsthischestandrounded
theendofthebar,comingtoastoplessthanafootaway.
“Whothehellareyoutalkingto?Howdoyouknowabouttheapplication?”Sheproddedhischest
withherfinger.
“Eversinceyouwerestartingout,it’sbeenmewhoguidedyou.Mewhomadeyourdreamspossible.
Me.Me.Me!Isendyouflowersandpresents,anddoyouevennotice?”
Flowers.
Theflowers.
Thoserandompackagesshe’dgotteninthemail.
OhGod...
“Frank?”Mirandabackedaway,butFranks’stridewaslonger.
Hegrabbedherbythearmsandshookher.
“Whydoyoualwaysdothingsthehardway?Whycan’tyoujustdowhatyou’resupposedto?”He
wasyellingnow,hisbreathonhercheek,hisfingersdiggingintoherarms.
It’dbeenFrankallalong.Herfatherhaddrivenhimbytoshowoffherhouse.He’dbeenonthe
fringesofherlifeforyears.
ItwasFrank.
Notsomenameless,facelessstranger.
ItwasFrank.
Hepushedherbacktothebarandleanedagainsther.
“Frank—no.Stopit,Frank!”Shepushedathischest,buthehadagoodfootofheightonherandfar
moremuscle.
He’dbeeninherbedroom.Watchinghersleep.
“I’mtheonlyonewhohaseverlovedyou,Miranda.”Hebenthishead.
Hewasgoingtokissher.
“No!Stop—Frank—no!”
Hislipsgrazedhercheek.Shewasgoingtobesick.
Herstupidheelsslippedandshewascaught,supportedonlybyFrank’sbodyandhisgriponher.
Frank’smouthslidtohers.
Mirandashudderedandsmackedhimintheheadwithherphone.Shekicked,losingoneshoebuther
kneeconnectedwiththesofttissueofhisgroin.
Frankstaggeredback,onehandathiscrotch,eyesbulging.
Mirandasatdownhard.
Thisman—thispersonherfamilyhadinvitedover,treatedlikeafriend—wastheonewho’dnotonly
brokenintoherhome,butviolatedherprivacy.
Shegrabbedherlostshoe,kickedtheotheroff,andstood.
Allthetimesshe’dfearedgoingoutatnight,she’dwonderedifthepeopletakingherpicturewere
him,thenightmaresshe’dlivedwith—theywerebecauseofhim.Ragegaveherlaserfocus.Shetooka
stepandswungwiththeshoe,rammingthethree-inchspikeintohisface.Frankyelledandflailed,the
backofhishandhittinghercheek,butshehardlyfeltit.
Tamarahadinsistedonteachingallthegirlsshecameintocontactwiththebasicsofself-defense.
Mirandahadpaidattention.
ShegrabbedFrank’swrist,plantedherfeetlikeTamarahadtaughther,twistedandturned.Theman
flippedoverhershoulder,landingonhisbackwithagruntandacrackofskull-on-tile.
“Youcrazymotherfucker.Doyouknowwhatyou’vedonetome?”ShekickedFrank’sribs.
Hewrappedhishandaroundherankleandpulled.Mirandatwisted,goingdownononeknee,her
rightlegstretchedoutbehindher.Frankgrabbedherknee,thenherhip.Shechokedoutasoband
elbowedhimrightintheface,buthisgripdidn’tloosen.
Shehadtogetaway.
Herphonelayonthefloorafewinchesoutofhergrasp.
Mirandathrewherweightforward,draggingbothFrankandherthosepreciousfewinches.
SheswipedherfingerandjabbedattheInCaseofEmergencyapp,theoneshe’ddownloadedanage
ago.Thecallscreenlitup,connectingto9-1-1automatically.
Frankdugahandintoherhairandyankedback.Sheshouted,thepainstabbingherinthetemples.
Hewasontopofhernow.
Sheclawed,thrashing,Tamara’svoiceinthebackofhermindspurringheron—tofight.
Mirandascreamed,prayingtheoperatorwasthere.
Frank’shandswrappedaroundherthroat.
13.
RaulslowedtheJeep,hiseyeswidening.
“Whatthehell?”hesaidslowly.
TheparkinglotattheaddressMirandahadtextedhimwaslitupwithredandwhitelights.Halfa
dozencopcars,anambulance,and—werethosenewsvans?
HejammedtheJeepintoparkandjumpedout.
Hadtherebeensomesortoffire?Anaccident?WherewasMiranda?
Hejoggedtowardtheentrance.
“Raul!”
Hejerkedaroundtowardthevoice,hisheartinhisthroat.
Abodyhithimsohardhestumbledbackafewsteps.Hecouldn’tbreathe,andthatwasonlypartially
todowithhowtightsheheldontohim.HewrappedhisarmsaroundMiranda,eachworstcasescenario
that’dsprungtomindstillintheforefrontofhismind.
Hekissedthetopofherhead,squeezingherclose.
“Whathappened?Areyouokay?”Hepeeredaround,lookingforotherguests,restaurantstaff,butthey
weremissing.
“Frank.ItwasFrank.”Herbodyshook,sobbingagainsthisshoulder.
“What?”Heleanedbackandfinallycaughtaglimpseofher.
Thestrapofherdresswasripped,angryredlinescircledherthroat,andonesideofherfacewasa
littlepuffy.Hewasbothhorrifiedandgladshewasalive.
“Thestalker?ItwasFrank.”Mirandascrubbedahandacrossherfaceandwinced.
“Seriously?”
Mirandanodded.
“Whereishe?”
“Hegotaway.Thekitchencaughtfirewhilehewas...”Shegesturedtoherthroat.“Thecopsgothere
andheranoff.”
“Oh,shit,I’msosorry.”Hehadn’tbeentheretoprotectherwhenheshouldhave.She’dhadabad
feelingaboutthisfromthebeginningandhehadn’tlistenedtoher.He’dpushedhertodosomethingshe’d
knownnottodo.Thiswasallhisfault.
“Canwegohome?Idon’twanttodrive.Ijustwanttogohome.”
“Didthey—canyouleave?”Hewantedtobundleherupsomewheresafe,holdher,keeptheoutside
worldaway.
Mirandanodded.
DetectiveBowmanstoodadozenorsopacesaway,staringawayfromthem.
“Max?”Raulpitchedhisvoiceoverthenoise.
Maxturned,handsinhispockets,andstrolledcloser.
“Haveyoufoundhim?”Raulasked.
“Frank?No,notyet.”
“Ijustwanttogohome.Please?”MirandakeptherarmswrappedaroundRaul’swaist.
“You’refreetogo.Iwillsaybecareful.Panicroomready?”MaxstaredatMiranda.
“Yes.”Shenodded.
“Wait—youhaveapanicroom?”HowdidRaulnotknowthis?
“It’ssortofapanicroom.Myclosetdoorwasoutfittedwithakickplateandalock.”Sheglanced
fromRaultoMax.“Andyes,Ihaveacellphonechargerandacordlessphoneinthereincaseof
emergency.”
“Okay,then,givemeacallifyouhearanything.”MaxreachedoutandshookRaul’shand.
“Whataboutyourcar?”Raulasked.
“Idon’tcareaboutmycar.”
“Okay,let’sgo.”HeusheredMirandaacrosstheparkinglottohisJeepandhandedherin.
Hecouldn’treallybelievethiswashappening.
Theflowerswereonething.Totallycreepyandacrosstheline.ButtoattackMiranda?Raulcouldn’t
wraphisheadaroundit.
“Youwanttotalkaboutit?”HestartedtheJeepandpointeditbacktowardthestreet.
“No.Notuntilwe’rehome.”
“Okay.”
Rauldrovethewholewayinsilence,onehandwrappedaroundMiranda’s.Truetoherword,she
didn’tspeaktheentiretrip.Juststaredstraightahead.Everynowandthenherthumbwouldswipeover
hisknuckles,butotherwiseshewasastatue.Abeautiful,heartbreakingworkofart.
Heparkedinthegarageinsteadofthedriveway,andeventhenheinsistedMirandastayintheJeep
whilehedoasweepofthehouse.OnlyoncehewascompletelyconvincedFrankwasn’thidinginaroom
oraclosetdidhegivetheallclearsign.
“Thekittensgotoutfinally.”HehadtotoetwooutofthewaytoclosethedoorinMiranda’swake.
“Oh,lookatyouguys!You’regettingsobig.”Shepausedtoscoopupthetwofluffballsbefore
headingstraighttothesofa.“Lookatthat.”
PennyLolaMarielayinherspotinthemiddleofthesectionalandShivawasstretchedoutatthefar
end,neithercatlookingattheother.
“Iguessthey’relearningtodeal.Comehere.”RaulpulledMirandaandthesquirmingkittensontothe
couch.Lolacastthemaone-eyedglarebeforerisingtolayherheadinMiranda’slap.
MirandacurledherlegsaroundLolaandputherheadonRaul’sshoulders.Thekittensseemedto
senseMiranda’sneedtocuddleandsettledonherlap.Inthestillnessofthehousehecouldhearthe
scamperingofclawsacrossthefloor,indicatingtheotherswereoffcreatingmischief.Probablytaunting
Demoninhiscrate.
RaulpulledMirandaincloser.
Hecouldn’tcontemplateaworldwithouther,andhe’dverynearlylosthertonight.
Frankwatchedthefrontofthedetachedbungalow.Thelightswereonandatleasttwopeoplewere
inside.
Miranda.
Andherfuckingboyfriend.
She’drebuffedhisgifts,turnedhimdown,andnowthis?
Itwasthefinalstraw.
Heputhishandoverthegunathisbackandcheckedthestreet.Allwasquiet,mostpeoplewere
asleepalready.
Noonetoseehim.
FrankwalkedacrossthestreetandalongsidethefencebetweenMiranda’shouseandtheneighbor’s
slinkingthroughtheshadows.Hedidn’tcrosstothesideofthehouseuntilhewasintheshelterofthe
backyardfence.
Nothingstirred.Nooutofplacesounds.Justhim.
Frankpriedhisfingersintothewindowcasing.Itpaidtobepreparedandafterbeingforcedtobreak
inwhenshechangedthelocks,he’ddevelopedthisalternative.
Thewindowslidopen.Longandnarrow,itwastheperfectsizetoaccommodatesomeoneofhis
heightandgirth.
Frankslidintothebasement,usingtheshelveslikealadderallthewaytothefloor,andmostlyclosed
thewindow.
Nowallhehadtodowaswaituntiltheywereasleep.
Mirandaneverwantedtomove.ShewascoveredinkittensandcatswithDemonslobberonherknee
andaRaulatherside.Hell,she’devenchangedintohisclothesbecauseshedidn’twanttobotherwith
herown.
“Youwanttogotobed?”Raulasked.
“No.”Becauseinherdreams,Frankwasstillthere,hishandsaroundherthroat,smokecloggingthe
air,fireracingacrosstheceiling...
“Okay.HowaboutIputsomethingontheTV?”
Escapingintoashowwouldbe...theeasywayout.It’swhatshewantedtodo.Butitwouldn’tsilence
thenaggingvoiceinthebackofhermind.
Whenshe’dthoughtshewasgoingtodie,whenshewascertainFrankwouldchokethelifeoutofher,
she’dthoughtofRaul.Ofeverythingshewantedtosaytohim.Andnowthatshehadthechance...she
didn’twanttogothere.Becauseemotionsweremessy,andpartofherneededhimtheretopropherup.
Butifshelethimdothat,shewasn’tbeinghonestwithherselfeither.
“Youwantmetoputonamovie?”Raulreachedfortheremotes.
“No—I’d...Iwanttotalk.”
ShecouldloseRaul.Tonight.Rightnow.Andontheflipside,shecouldbedead.
Didshewanttospendherlifelovingsomeonewhodidn’tloveherback?Foronceinherlife,shehad
tostandupforwhatsheneeded.Andifthatwasn’tRaul,thenatleastshehadthegirls.
“Okay.Sure.Whatdoyouwanttotalkabout?”Raulstrokedhishanddownherarm.
MirandaswallowedandcurledherfingersintoRunty’sfur.Thekittensquirmedinprotest,twistingto
attackherfingerswithanenergythatneverfailedtomakehersmile.Exceptthistime.
“I’mhereforwhateveryouneed,”hesaid.
Wouldhebewhenshewasdone?
Itwouldbeeasytoburyitalldown,toholdontohim.Butitwasn’tfairtoher.
“IkeptthinkingIwasgoingtodie.Youdon’trealizehowsmallorweakyouareuntilyou’refighting
foryourlife.”Shereachedupandranherfingersovertheworstofthebruises,thespotswhereshecould
stillfeelFrank’sphantomtouch.
“You’resafe,”Raulwhispered.
“Iwaslayingtherethinking—I’dneverseeyouagain.”Herthroatconstricted,themusclesknotting
andtensinginawaythatfireduphernerves.
“I’mrighthere,babe.”Hekissedhertemple.
“Iknow,but...whatif—ifit’dbeendifferent?IfIneversawyouagain?”Shedidn’twanttocry,butthe
tearscameunbiddenanyway.“WhatifInevergottotellyouhowIfeel?Whyyoumademesodamn
angry?”
“I’dlovetoknowwhyI’vepissedyouoffsomuch.”Hechuckled,butshecouldn’tfindthehumor.
Shetwisted,needingtoseehim,tolookintohiseyes.
Thiswasabouther—Miranda—notbeingtheprovideranymore.Shecouldn’tlovehimandbethe
sugarmama.Cominginsecondwasn’tgoingtoworkforher.
“Icareaboutyou...butI—Ican’tletmyselffallinlovewithsomeonewhowillalwaysputmein
secondplace.”Mirandasuckedinabreath.Shecouldfeeltearsbrimming,readytospilloverherlashes.
“W-what?”Raulblinkedather,theconfusedpuppylooksoclosetomakingherwanttotakeitall
back.Hedidn’trealizewhathewasdoing.Hisheartwasintherightplace.Butitwasn’tfairtoher—to
puthimfirstandherlastwouldonlyendinbitternessandregret.
“Therescuewillalwaysbethemostimportantthingtoyou—”
“Wait.No.”Raulshookhishead.“Holdon,letmegetthisstraight...You’vebeenupsetwithme
becauseyou...youseriouslythinktherescueismoreimportanttomethanyouare?”
“Yes.”
“No.I—Ithoughtyouwere—nevermind.”Hisvoicewassoloudthemostskittishkittenhissed.
“Sorry,buddy.”Raulbumpedthefussykittenwithhisfinger.“No.That’snotwhathappened.”
“Raul—”
“No,you’vebeenpissedoffatmeforoveraweek,andnowIwanttotalkaboutitfrommyside.”He
glaredatherandshewantedtoburrowunderthesofa.“I—Ineveraskedyoutodothefundraiserorput
thenewwebsitetogetheroranything.Youtookthatonyourself,andIamsoincrediblygrateful.It’sshown
mehowawesomeyouare.SharingmydreamswithsomeoneascrazyintothemasIamhasbeenspecial.
Andyeah,Igotcarriedaway.Iownthat.Forthat,Iamso,sosorry.”
“But—”
“I’mnotdoneyet.”Hepulledherhandsawayfromthekittens,thoughallitreallyaccomplishedwas
givingRuntytwosetsofhandstoattack.“I...loveyou.Iloveyou.Iloveyourgenerosity.Ilovehowmuch
youcareaboutothers.Ilovethatbig,beautifulbrainofyours.Allthecrazyshityoucomeupwith.Ilove
you.”
Ohshit.
Shewascrying.
And—yes,thatwasahiccup.
“But,Miranda?”Raulpushedherhairoutofherface.“Therescueisnotmoreimportanttomethan
youare.Itjustisn’t.It’sadream,somethingI’mpassionateabout,butifyou’retellingmeIhaveto
choose?Ichooseyou.Iwillalwayschooseyou...andthat’showIknewIwasinlovewithyou.”
Shecouldn’tseeforallthetears.Kittenclawsdugintoherthighs,andconcernedmewlssignaledthe
restofthebroodwasawake.Raulwrappedhisarmsaroundher,pullingherevencloser,almostintohis
lap.
“Ilovethatyouworkedsohardformydream.Youmakemagichappenwhenyouputyourmindtoit,
butIdon’twantit,ifit’sgoingtobreakus.”Hekissedherface,hisfingersswipedathertears.
“Idon’twantyoutogiveupontherescue.”
“Idon’twanttoloseyou.”
“Iloveyou.”Sheblinkedawaythetears.
Itwaswaytoofasttomoveintogether,tomakestatementsoflove,butheretheywere.Andshe
wouldn’tchangeitatall.
Mirandascoopedupthesquirmingfur-brats,putthemontheirmama,andcrawledintoRaul’slap.He
heldontoher,mutteringwordsshecouldn’tunderstand,strokingherback.
“Later,we’llhavetohaveaseriousdiscussionabouthowyouchargeoffwithaplanbeforeanyone
elsecanvoteonit.”Hekissedhertemple,thenhermouth.“Youloveme?”
“Ido.IfLolacouldloveyou,Ididn’tstandachance.”
“I’llremembertothankLolalater.”
Theysmiledateachother.
“You...lookkindoftired.Yousureyoudon’twanttosleep?”Raulstrokedherback,muchlikeacat.
“No.ImightnotsleepuntiltheycatchFrank.”
“Okaythen,itsoundsliketheonlythingtodois—playvideogames.That’sabouttheonlythingyou
won’tfallasleepduring.”
“Hey.”Shepokedhim.“Ididnotfallasleepduringsex.Itwasadrainingorgasm.”
“Sincewhendoyousnorewhenyoucome?”
“Asshat.”Shesmackedhischestandthebothlaughed.“Youwanttostarteverythingup?I’llputon
somecoffee,grabafewsnacks,andbedowntokickyourassinaminute.”
“Thosearesomebigwords.”Heswattedherbottomasshescamperedtothekitchen,atrailofkittens
inherwake.
Thiswasright.BeingwithRaulfeltgood.Andiftheycouldmakeitwork...itwasthebestgiftinthe
world.
Frankpulledthegunfromthewaistbandofhistrousers.
Thosefootstepsweregettingawfullyclose...
Hehadn’tbeenabletomakeoutmostoftheconversation,exceptforawordhereorthere.Itwas
impossibletomakeheadsortailsofwhatwasgoingon.Theyjustneededtogothefucktosleepalready.
Heavythudsechoeddownthestairs.
Well,hell.
Frankputhisbackupagainstthewallandpointedthegunattheopening.
Ithadtobehim.TheoneMirandahadchoseninsteadofFrank.
Raulpausedatthefootofthestairsandflickedthelightson.
“Don’t.Move.”Frankstareddownthesightsathistarget.
Atleastthingswerefinallystartingtogetinteresting.
Raulswallowed.
Mirandawasupstairs.
Couldhesignalhersomehow?Warnher?
“Stepforward,”Franksaid.
IfRaulmovedawayfromthestairs,Mirandawouldn’tseehimuntilitwastoolate.
“Howlongyoubeenhere,Frank?”Couldhestall?WouldMirandatakehertime?
“Doesn’tmatter.Stepthisway,now.”
“Yougoingtoshootme?”IfFrankshotnow,Mirandawouldknow.She’dgetaway.Protectingher
washisonlygoal.
“Iwillifyoudon’tmove.Ouch!Damncat.”Frankkickedhislegandasmallthudhitthecarpet.
Thekittens.
Shit.
Raultookone,thentwostepsforwardandFrankkeptpacewithhim.
“Goddamnit,youlittlefucker,stop.”Frankshookhisleg,hisattentiontorn.
“DoyouexpectMirandato—what?Gowithyou?Bewithyou?Loveyou?”
“Noneofyourconcern.”
Butitwas.He’dalreadytriedtokillMirandaoncetonight.Raulwasn’tabouttolethimdoanything
elsetoher.
Footstepsdescendedthestairs.
“Hey,Raul—”
Frankglancedawayfromhim.
Rauldove,hittingFrankinthestomachwithhisshoulder.TheblastofthegungoingoffmadeRaul’s
earsring.TheonlythingthatpenetratedtheringingwasthesoundofMirandascreaming.
Hadshebeenhurt?
Hecouldn’tlook.
FrankandRaulfelltothefloor.
“Run—Miranda—run!He’sgotagun!”
TheguncrackedagainstthebackofRaul’shead.Whitestarsspuninhisvision.Afistconnectedwith
hisjaw,akneewithhisstomach.
StopFrank.
ProtectMiranda.
Thatwasallthatmattered.
Mirandafellupthestairs,feargivingherflight.TamaraandMaxhadalwayssaidthatifrunningwere
anoption—doit.Defendingherselfwasonething,butagainstaguywithagun?Shewasoutofherdepth.
Shecrawledupthelastremainingones,Demonlickingherface.Shescrambledacrosstheliving
room,nearlytrippingonLolaflyingtowardthebasementinMiranda’ssprinttowardthestairs.
Shecouldn’thelpRaul,notinafightwithagun.ButshehadMaxonspeeddial.
Herfootcaughtontherugandshepitchedforwardintothedoorframetoherbedroom.Shedidn’t
havetimeforthepain.Shechargedforward,threwherselfintothecloset,andgrabbedthecordless
phone.
“Max?Maxpickup!”
Shekickedthedoorshutandbraceditwithherfoot,theonlysoundsthatofherbreathingandthe
ringingphone.
RaulrolledwithFrank,onehandontheman’swrist.Shit,themanwasingoodshape.
“Ow!”Frankhowledandhisholdslipped.
Raulwrenchedthegunoutoftheotherman’shold.
LolaandShivawereoneithersideofRaul’shead.Atleastoneofthemhadrakedtheirclawsacross
Frank’sface.Themansportedseverallong,bloodygashesacrosshischeek.
Raulswung,hisfistconnectingwithFrank’sjaw.
ShivaswipedatFrank’shand,herhissnowherenearasbadasherbiteonceshegotherfangsin
Frank’shand.
“Miranda?”Raulbellowed.
Voices.
Yelling.
Feetpoundingthefloor.
“Frank,stoprightthere.”Maxstoodpoisedatthefootofthestairs,guninhand.
“Getthesefuckingcatsoffme!”Franktossedtheruntaside.
RaulhauledbackandlaidahardhookintoFrank.
Handshauledhimoffandtohisfeet.TheotherofficersshovedhimupagainstthewallwhileMaxand
anotherofficerwrestledFranktothefloor.Theirmouthsmoved,butRaul’searswerestillringingfrom
thegungoingoff.HewatchedasMaxslappedhandcuffsaroundFrank’swrists.
Thereweretoomanypeopleinthebasement.Thecatshissed.AnofficerpickedupthegunRaulhad
dropped.
“Miranda?Where’sMiranda?”TheofficerskeptshovingRaulbackinthecorner.Probablyfor
Frank’sprotection.“Where’dtheblackkittengo?Runty?”
“Here.Takeyourdamncat.”MaxdislodgedRuntyfromhispantslegandthrusthimatRaul.
“Miranda’sprobably—”
“Raul?”
“Oh,fuckme.”Maxrolledhiseyes.
Mirandadescendedthestairs,Demoninonearm,twokittensintheother.
“Lethimgo,”Maxbarked.“Youtwostaythere.”
MirandarushedtoRaul’ssidewhilethetwoofficershauledFranktohisfeetandthenupthestairs.
“Whatthefuckarethese?Attackcats?”MaxgaveLolaandShivaawideberth.
Bothofthecatssatperchedonthebackofthegamingsofa,crouchedandreadytopounce,tails
swishingbackandforthintime.
“Willyoulookatthat?”Mirandapeeredatthetwocats,hiptohip,shouldertoshoulder.
“Iguessalltheyneededwasacommonenemy.Youokay?”HehuggedMirandatohim.
“Areyou?”
“Yeah.Thislittleguyisgoingtofollowinhismother’spaws.”
“OhmyGod.”MirandawrappedherarmsaroundRaul’swaist.“It’sover.Isitover?”
“Thenightmareisover.”Raulkissedthetopofherheadandcuddledhercloser.“Therestisjust
beginning.”
Epilogue.
Twomonthslater...
“Hey,hey—thatgoesoverhere!”
MirandawavedJohnandRaulacrosstheroom.Theypositionedthesofaunderthewindowwhileshe
pushedacattreeupagainstoneside.Somethinghadtobedoneaboutthecurtains,butitwaslooking
prettygood.
“How’sitlooking?”Raulloopedhisarmaroundherwaistandpausedtotakeinthefinishingtouches.
“Prettygood,ifyouaskme.”Sheleanedintohim,revelinginthewayhemadeherfeel.Warm.Safe.
Loved.
“Justafewmoredaysandthisplaceisgoingtobeopen.Allbecauseofyou.”Hekissedherforehead.
“Becauseofus.”Shepokedhimintheribs.
It’dtakenherafewtherapysessionstofullyunderstandhowoffherrockershe’dgonebetween
gettingthoserosesandFrank’sattack.She’dthrownherselfintoRaul’sdream,nearlywreckingit—and
them—intheprocess.Buttheyweregoodnow.Betterthangood.Theywerehappy.
“So,canIshowyousomethingIdid?”Raulpeereddownather.“Ididathing.”
“A...thing?”Thosewordssoundedanawfullotlikehers...
“Athing.”
Hetookherhandinhisandledherbackthroughtheguestareas,theirexamroomandintothebig
kennelarea.Mirandahadn’tbeenabletospendasmuchtimeinthispartofthefacilitysincethey’d
finishedpaintingbecauseitwasaneasiersetup.
“Whatdidyoudo?”sheasked.
“Athing.Comehere.”
Raulledhertooneofthedoorsoffthekennels.Theywerelargeclosets,orsmalloffices.Sofarthey
hadn’tdecidedhowtousethem.Yet.So,Mirandahadn’tmadeplansforthem.
Hepushedopenthedoorandflippedonthelights.
Mirandablinkedatthedeskandfutonset-up.An...office?Hewassurprisingherwith...aworkspace?
Raulclosedthedoor,shuttingoutalmostalloftheexcitedpuppychatter.
“I...don’tunderstand,”shesaidslowly.
“Iwasthinking...”Raultuggedherovertothefuton.
“That’sdangerous.Hurtyourself.”
“Haa.Haa.Funny.No,Ididn’t.”Raulsuckedinadeepbreath.“I’mgoingtohavetospendalotof
timeuphere.”
“Yeah.”Oh,God,wherewasthisgoing?
“And...likewediscussed,you’regoingtostepback.Dosomethingforyourself.”
“Raul,spititoutalready.”
“Youwanttowriteyourbooks.Iwantyoutowriteyourbooks.Evenifyouneverpublishthemorlet
mereadthem.But...whatifyouhadaplaceupheretowrite?So,youknow,wecouldstillbetogether.I
knowyouwereconcernedabouthowlittlewe’dbeabletohangoutoncethingsgotgoingand...thisjust
seemedlikeagoodsolution.”
Mirandaopenedandclosedhermouth.
He—what?
“Don’tkillme,butIbroughtyourinspirationboardupheretodayjustsoyoucouldgetafeelforhow
it’dbe.”Heletgoofherhandsandpulledhercorkboardoutfrombehindthedesk.
Shewatchedashehungitoverthetopofthefuton.
“Itcouldgohere,ormaybeoverthedesk,ornearthedoor.Idon’tknow,butIwantedyoutoseeit.
And,maybewecouldhaveakittencondo.Runtywouldprobablylovebeingtheonlycatherewithyouif
youwantedtobringhimbackandforth.”
“Seriously?”Mirandacouldn’tbreathe.
Itwastoomuch.
Completelyoutofleftfield.
“Doyou...liketheidea?Iknowthefurnitureissecondhand,andwecangetsomethingbetter—”
“It’sperfect.”Shesqueezedhishandinhers.
“Really?”
“Yes.”Mirandahuggedhimtightandblewoutadeepbreath.“YougotmeaCrazyCatLadymug,
too?”
“IhaveaCrazyCatDudemug,too.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Iloveyou.”
“Iloveyou,too.So,whatdoyousay?Doyouwanttowritebooksaboutfatedmatesandspacehere?
OrshouldIputthemopsbackinhere?”
“Don’tyoudareputmopsnearmyinspirationboard.”
Hegrinned.Hewasherfatedmate,ifthatsortofthingexistedforhumans.He’dtakenhercrazyin
stride,andlovedherregardless.Shehopedtospendmany,happyyearslivingthisdream.Together.
YoucanstayuptodateonthewholeGoneGeekcrewin
StaytunedforTheAdorkableGirlandtheGeekin2017.
BeautyandtheGeek
GoneGeek1
ProfessorStevenKipperisusedtothestares,themutteredinsults.Monster.Disgusting.Gross.It'sall
he'severknown.Relationshipssuckwhenhisdatewon'tevengooutinpublicwithhim,whichiswhyhe
hasn'tbothered.Thatisuntilher.Thewomanontheinternetwhogetshiseveryquirk.He'shookedona
personhe'snevermet.Thewayshegetshisjokes,theuninhibitedsexualityand...justtalkingtoher.She's
everythinghe'severwanted,onlyshe'sastranger.Unlesshecanconvincehertheyshouldunplugandtake
theirvirtualrelationshipoff-line.
Tamara Roh has heard all the insults from slut to whore and they bore her. She refuses to let other
peopledefineher.Life'stoughinthegamingindustry,andifshecan'thandleafewinsultsthehaterswill
chewherupandspitherout.Heronlyhaveniswithherfriendsandinoneveryexplicitchatroom.On-
lineshecanbeanyoneshewantsto,eventhenormalgirl-next-doorwhojusthappenstogetoffondirty
talk,eroticgifsandvideochatsfromtheneckdown.Shemightnotbeabletotrustguysinreallifetosee
pasttheHotAsianGirlfriendstereotype,butwithherinternetbeauanonymityishersafetynet.Theonly
problemis...she'sfallingforamanwhothinksshe'ssomeoneelse.
TheJockandtheGeek
GoneGeek3
Samantha Grant is at a dead end in life. Fired from her job because her father happens to be the
SecretaryofStateisjusttheicingonthecake.AtleastshehasMonster-Gotofillheremptyhours.Except
she'snottheonlyoneplayingtheaugmentedrealityphonegame.Herex,thejockiestjockofallis,too.
Andhejusthappenstobeontherivalteam.She'lltakethiscompetitiontoawholenewlevelinthename
ofwinningthetitleasthebestMonsterMasterintheCapital.
OliverFalcónisinlovewithhisboss'daughter.Theproblemis,shehateshimwiththepassionofa
thousand, fiery suns. He broke her heart to protect her once, and now he wants her back. Strategy has
alwaysbeenhisgift,andthistimehe'sgotaplantonotonlywinSamback,butshowherjusthowmuch
hebelongsinherworld.He'sgonegeek,andhe'snevergoingback.Pastsecretshaunttheformerlovers,
andasmuchasOliverwantsSambackinhisarms,he'llbreakherheartagainifitmeansprotectingher.
TheGamerandtheGeek
GoneGeek4
RashaeGrantshouldbeoverthemoon.Herlife-longdreamofcreatingoriginalartforaboardgame
isfinallyhappening.Exceptthecampaignmanager,asinfullysexyIrishman,can'tseemtostandher.At
everymeetingshe'stalkedoverandherdesignspickedapart.What'sthepointofgettingtoworkonher
dreamifshedoesn'tevenrecognizeitanymore?
DeclanLoveridgehasstakedeverythingonthesuccessofthisproject,andifpullingitoffmeanshe
has to breathe down Rashae's neck, he'll have to ignore the way she smiles, the twinkle in her eye and
howshemakeshimlaughwhenheshouldn't.Oneill-advisedkissturnsintomany,andsoontheholiday
nightsareheatingupfrommorethanjustthekettle.
Friends with benefits is the perfect solution to their problems. Disagreements are better solved
between the sheets, but Declan has never been a man to settle, and Rashae doesn't know how to lead
withoutherheart.Whiletheloversarebusycreatingamasterpiece,anotherkindofartistisouttotake
themforeverythingthey'vegot.AscamturnsintoascandalthisholidayseasoninTheGamerandthe
Geek.
BookList
GoneGeek
BeautyandtheGeek
TheVetandtheGeek
TheJockandtheGeek
TheGamerandtheGeek
TheAdorkableGirlandtheGeek
TheStarandtheGeek
AegisGroup
Blind:KillerInstincts
DangerousAttraction
DangerousinTraining
DangerousGames
DangerousAssignment
DangerousProtector
HotRides
Drive
Shift
Chase
BayouBound
PictureHerBound
DutyBound
BoundMemories
Bound&Tamed
OtherBDSMTitles
Committed:DrugofDesire
Entrusted:DrugofDesire
BoundwithPearls
CollarMeinParis
FestiveSeduction
ElectricEngagement
SoInked
UnderHisSkin
TheHarderHeFalls
HisMarriageBargain
StandaloneTitles
FallingforHisBestFriend
DreamVacation(freeread)
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
ItcanneverbesaidthatNYT&USATodayBestsellingauthorSidneyBristolhashada‘normal’life.
Sheisarecoveringrollerderbyqueen,formermissionary,tattooaddictandboardgameenthusiast.She
grewupinamotor-homeontheUShighways(withanoccasionaljauntintoCanadaandMexico),
travelingtherodeocircuitwithherparents.SidneyhaslivedabroadinbothRussiaandThailand,
workingwithchildrenandteenagers.ShenowlivesinTexaswhereshespendshertimewriting,reading,
huntingPokemon,playingboardgamesandcateringtoherfurryoverlords,akathecats.
Copyright©2016bySidneyBristol.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
photocopying,recording,orotherelectronicormechanicalmethods,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher,exceptinthecaseof
briefquotationsembodiedincriticalreviewsandcertainothernoncommercialusespermittedbycopyrightlaw.Forpermissionrequests,write
tothepublisher,addressed“Attention:PermissionsCoordinator,”attheaddressbelow.
InkedPress/SidneyBristol
www.sidneybristol.com
Publisher’sNote:Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareaproductoftheauthor’simagination.Localesand
public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies,
events,institutions,orlocalesiscompletelycoincidental.
BookLayout&Design©2013-BookDesignTemplates.com
OrderingInformation:
Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the
“SpecialSalesDepartment”attheaddressabove.
Mr.Purr-fectandtheGeek/SidneyBristol.—1sted.
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