One dog inches closer. Their paws are the size of my forehead, which might’ve been a sign not to stand my ground. Its head tilts, the all-black fur shining in the light. I stand still and clench at the wet nose grazing my fingers. My pulse skips at the deep inhale it takes before licking my hand.
“Don’t get fresh,” I chuckle, which encourages the other beast to headbutt my left leg for pats.
The other dog snatches the toy from my bed and runs out the door.
“Hey! Get back here.”
Snort.
“You’re the good one.” I glide my hand over the silky coat of the dog not involved in an active robbery. He licks my hand and walks toward the door.
“I was on my way,” I fuss.
Snort.
“Forget y’all and your daddy.”
I follow the rumble of paws down the hall speckled in light. White travertine changes to terracotta tiles at the kitchen archway. The moon yawns over white counters scrubbed from yesterday’s meals. Baskets of fresh citrus from the grove are on a small wooden table in the middle of the kitchen.
“You might be my favorite room here,” I say to the wood beams and reclaimed shelves.
“Mine too.”
I startle at Benny’s voice.
“Do you usually cut fruit in the dark?” I pant between breaths, a hand on the V-cut of my nightgown.
“Sometimes.” He lifts the blade speared with mango to his mouth, relaxed in his chair like a king on a throne. A shirtless king in sweatpants with a GI Joe knife big enough to gut a giant.
“You look good.”
We’re mad at him.
“Thank you.” I push up one of the thin straps. The material brushes against my nipples.
Benny’s gaze doesn’t waver when he wraps his lips over the mango and sucks. The act itself isn’t sexual, but nothing about that damn fruit requires his tongue and throat to work overtime.
He shifts in his seat, a bare foot perched on the rattan arm of his chair. “How was your day?”
“Fine.”
The asshole has the nerve to smile.
His chest contracts as he spears another piece of fruit from a plate on a small table. I push my braids over my shoulder and dodge his dick print.
The dogs stroll into the kitchen with my dildo between their teeth. What kind of disrespectful animals play tug of war with a sex toy? My favorite sex toy.
“Hey!”
Benny chuckles. “You were busy.”
“Had to keep myself entertained.” There are no books, internet, or TV. What was I supposed to do?
“I must not have eaten your pussy right if you need to take care of yourself. Or do you miss this dick?”
My clit pulsates.
Behave.
