Holding up his thumb and pointer finger, he held them slightly apart and tilted his head.
Rolling her eyes, she blew a rude noise through her lips and smirked. “Okay, yeah, it was a little funny. You want to help? Go wash those potatoes.” She moved around him to the counter, stepping over Reena, who was staring soulfully at the platter full of red meat. A tiny line of drool connected her lower lip to the floor.
Resisting the urge to crow in victory, Malachi sauntered to the pantry and rummaged around. Finding his prize, he slipped the apron over his head and tied it around his waist. Moving back to the counter, he grabbed the potatoes and carried them to the sink.
“What the hell?” came Chuck’s spluttered exclamation.
Turning his head, Malachi glanced over his shoulder and gave her an innocent shrug. “What?”
Chuck’s gaze roamed over the sight of him, wearing only a pair of shorts and a pink ruffled apron covered in cartoon chickens and hearts.
Their eyes connected, and a giggle burst from her lips. “Oh, my goodness, Malachi, you really are a mess sometimes.”
“I make this look good!” he insisted, flicking one of the ruffles as she continued to laugh harder. Turning to face her fully, he plopped his wet hands on his hips and glared in mock fury. “Hey, this isyourapron, youknow. Sorry, I didn’t want to get anything on me.” He flung his hands out, pretending he was frustrated, chuckling when she squealed as water droplets splattered all over her.
“You ass!” she yelled in between giggles. Suddenly, the most unladylike snort ever came from her, and she gasped. Her eyes went wide, and her hand clapped over her lips while she laughed even louder, a high keening accompanying the sound.
“Holy shit, Chuck!” he bellowed, the sound booming through the room. “You sounded just like Reena!” Laughing even harder as Reena snorted in agreement, he moved closer to Chuck, where she was now leaning against the counter, holding herself up as her face turned fire engine red from trying to gasp for breath. Hands still dripping, he held them up and wiggled his fingers as he stalked her.
Shrieking, she ran from him out the back door onto the patio.
Chasing after her, he glanced around and was blindsided when she swept his feet out from under him, landing him on his back in the grass. “Oof!” he grunted as he hit the ground, and her body landed on his stomach. Before he could blink, she had his hands up over his head and was grinning in his face.
“If I had my cuffs, you’d be in big trouble. Someone forgot I was a police officer, didn’t they?”
Grinning in delight, Malachi shimmered into his canine form and slurped his long pink tongue over her cheek.Someone forgot I am, too!He chuckled as she groaned and wiped his slobber off her face.
“Ah, gross, Mal, that’s cheating!” she huffed and crossed her arms, still sitting in the grass, glaring at him with her eyebrows bunched and her lips pouting in the cutest frown.
Malachi paused in his victory dance and stared. He wanted to kiss those pouty lips more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. The desire todo whatever she wanted overwhelmed him. He would bow at the feet of… cough—GOD—cough… if that’s what she needed. Crouching down with a frustrated groan, he stared at his paws as conflict roared through him. It expanded each cell to near bursting with the abject need to please her. He was supposed to be corrupting her, not the other way around. Hyacinth was going to kill him. A final death. He was going to be snuffed from existence and never see Chuck again. That thought alone sent tremors across his spine, rippling over his pelt like an earthquake through his very being. If he had a soul, it would be shivering in abject fear.
Tender fingers bunched into the fur on the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, Malachi, I didn’t mean to upset you. I was only playing,” came Chuck’s soft words.
It’s not you,he whimpered, aching with pure agony as her sweet concern settled over him like a comforting blanket.It’s just some memories came back reminding me of who I am, and I’m scared, Chuck. I… I don’t think I’ll be around much longer.
“Mal, no, what do you mean?” she gasped as her fingers clenched hard in his scruff. Her tone was strained and desperate. Her breathing went shallow and ragged, but smoothed out when he crawled into her lap and lay his muzzle on her shoulder.
Chuck, please, just listen. Let’s have that dinner, and then we need to talk. I found information you’ll want to know but may find hard to come to terms with. I need a moment to collect myself, and after we talk, if you still want me around, you’re going to have to stretch the boundaries of belief.
“Malachi,” she called firmly, and gripped both sides of his head in her hands. She stared determinedly into his eyes. “You’re a dog that turns into a man… or rather, a man that turns into a dog. My best friend is a witch. You really think I’m not already stretching things?” She tilted her head and stroked her thumbs over his furry cheeks. “I’m not sure what has you so scared, but you’re my partner, and I trust you. With my life. So, we’re going to eat dinner, you’re going to tell me whatever it is that’s bothering you, and we’ll figure this out. Together. Okay?”
Nodding silently, not trusting his thoughts, he stared at her adoringly.
“But change back, yeah? No dog hair in the food.” She smirked, the wry smile curving her lips as her eyes sparkled.
Shifting into his human form, Malachi stared back as he brushed his fingers across her cheeks now. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Yeah, you do,” she replied even more softly. “Mal…” she shook her head. “You’re pretty heavy to be sitting in my lap. And you’re naked again.”
Glancing down, he realized she was right and blushed. Horrified at the heat and color rushing into his cheeks, he tried to shrug nonchalantly, but it was jerky and stilted. Finally, he just laughed and reached behind him for the apron. Slipping it back over his head, he flung his hair back and propped his hands on his hips as he gave a haughty stare. “Better?” he demanded.
“Whatever, you’re still heavy. Get off me!” she chuckled and shoved him backwards.
Windmilling his arms, he tried to catch his balance but instead caught her shoulders and pulled her down with him. “You’re making a habit of lying on me, you know,” came his groan when they landed.
“Sorry.” She laughed, not sounding the least bit apologetic. “I’m really not trying to!”
“Pity,” he mumbled.
