Page 51 of Maneater

Darien

I’m still on a high from the solstice, even though it was almost a month ago. Rex and I are officially official. I’ve told my brother, and both he and Kade are genuinely happy for me. I’m not close with the rest of my family—the few who are left—so I don’t feel the urge to make an announcement right now.

But as long as I’m visiting LA in September, I’ll also tell the rest of our gang about him while I’m there. They’ll either be cool with it or they won’t. I’m so in love with Rex, I don’t care anymore.

I pause, setting down the duster I’ve been using at the front counter.

I’ve never confessed my feelings to Rex. At least, not with those words. I sense he feels the same, but I don’t want the moment to be forced. I’m ready for my fireworks.

Virgil moseys into the shop from the back. “You can go on ahead, son. We’ll be closing in a few, and it sure as heck has been slow today.”

Virgil’s become used to either Rex picking me up or me leaving to go see him almost every day.

“I think it’s because everyone’s at the Lake Shootout, so they’re more in that direction.”

Rex was the one who first told me about the popular speedboat racing event held at the Lake of the Ozarks. The bash kills business on the Arkansas side for the weekend as well as a couple of days on either side.

Virgil is scratching his chin, frowning. “Huh. Well, I’ll be. That’s right.” He shakes his head and shrugs. “I used to keep careful track of all the events, plan around them.” A faint smile crosses his lips. “I guess after all these years, I’m not as interested in that stuff as I once was.”

I feel so bad for him. More than once he’s talked about visiting his brother, who retired down in Florida, and how nice it would be to relax in a warm climate. I’m starting to think Rex was right when he suggested Virgil might want to close the store.

“I don’t have to go right away if you want to go home. Rex and I don’t really have a set time to meet up.”

I decline to mention that Rex gave me a magical token so I can come and go as I please. It kills me that I can’t tell Virgil about the Howler from his childhood camping trip, but I’m now a loyal defender of the Monster Network. My lips are sealed.

“Nah.” Virgil shoos me away. “I’ve got nowhere special to be.”

“Well…”

Virgil winks. “Treasure every moment with your man. Don’t ever take them for granted.”

My eyebrows shoot up. This is the first time Virgil has ever alluded to my status with Rex.

“I won’t.” I smile. “Thanks, Virgil. Before I go, I want to buy one of the beet and two of the ham salads.”

Rex told me that Jimbo made pot roast, so we just need some sides to go with it. Tomorrow’s my day off, so Rex and I are going to do a day trip to Little Rock to check out the Historic Arkansas Museum. I’m curious about my new home, and Rex remembers much of it from that time, so it’ll be a trip down memory lane for him.

After I buy our food, I take off for Rex’s cave. I don’t need to bother bringing an overnight bag anymore. I’ve brought so many of my things over there at this point; it wouldn’t make sense.

I reach the turn-off, then drive down the private path and park, leaving Rex enough space for his truck. He’s probably still getting our food, but I never leave the store without my token.

Once I undo the wards and set them again, I’m met at the cave opening by Winston. I’ve barely had a chance to lean the wood panels against the entrance before he’s jumping against my legs, begging for treats. The little furry menace is relentless. Clover begs too, but she’s much more polite.

“Okay, okay.” I set down the tote on the kitchen counter. “You act as if you’ve never eaten before.”

I unpack everything, then slice up an apple. I give both Winston and Clover a piece, and they’re temporarily appeased.

“Hey, babe!” Rex calls from the entrance. “I’m glad you’re here already. I’m starving.”

I turn, and I’m met with his smoldering gaze. As usual, it’s obvious he’s hungry for more than food. Okay, I confess. I am too.

We meet halfway and share a searing kiss. We use our hands to roam each other’s bodies, and I’m thinking that cold pot roast isn’t the worst thing in the world. It’s been two whole days since we’ve been able to get together, and I’ve been losing my mind. Our mutual promise not to jerk off when apart is our way of saving ourselves for each other.

Doesn’t mean that it’s next to impossible. I can’t even think about Rex without popping a woody.

He breaks the kiss, laughing as I chase his lips with mine.

“Let me put the food down, sweetheart.”