Page 134 of Dream House
This is an ambush.
My palms itch with the memory of touching the plates of those pecs. I’ve gripped those contoured shoulders in a fit of passion. I’ve come apart under the skill of those sculpted fingers.
Throat suddenly dry, I drag my gaze down from Lark’s upper body, but the simple drawstring pants Pen has made for him are somehow just as dangerous. Maybe it’s that he’s barefoot. I don’t know whether he looks more like someone about to perform a karate kata or a love scene.
I’m riveted either way.
The only thing off-putting is that glare he’s giving Pen.
“I draw the line at horns,” he growls.
Pen’s hands go out in mollifying flutters. “Technically, they’re antlers.”
And that’s when I see them. Perched on one of the kitchen chairs is a set of antlers that would do Bambi proud. Even from here, I can tell they’re papier mache or some kind of artistic rendering Pen has cooked up, but if Lark puts those on, I’ll never stop laughing.
My hiccupped giggle has his glare whipping to me. And then he freezes. His nostrils flare. His lips part. His pupils go nickel-sized, and damn if my panties aren’t wet.
“You look—” His voice is low, rough. His Adam’s apple dips when he swallows. I want to lick it. “You look great.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
The compliments are watered down Kool-Aid compared to the responses I know both of us are having.
So maybe Pen was right. Lark still wants me.
The confirmation is both fortifying and confusing. I need to get out of here.
I face Pen. “We’re going. We’ll be back in an hour,” I tell her.
Her quick glance at the microwave clock lets me know she’s aware of our lateness, but Pen just pinches her mouth closed. Smart lady.
“Wait—” Lark frowns at me and Maisy. “You’re going by yourselves?”
Is he serious?
“Yeah?”
“I’ll come with you,” he says with decision. “It’s dark out there.”
“Uh… It’s Halloween—”
“Samhain,” Pen interjects.
I ignore her. “The streets are full of trick-or-treaters. It’s fine.”
“Still—”
Still nothing. Lark has kept his distance from me for ten days, and he wants to shadow menow?I shake my head. I know I need to take action, but now is not the time.
“Nope. This is mother-daughter time,” I say, putting my foot down. “See y’all in an hour.”
And with that, I grip Maisy’s hand and we’re out. Maybe I leave Lark staring after me with his mouth open.
And maybe that’s just fine.
We’re backin less than an hour. Maisy’s candy bag is dragging the ground, and she’s wiped, but she has stories to tell.
“We met areal witch!”Maisy announces as she charges through the front door.
