Page 47 of Dreams and Reptiles

“I don’t think we need that.” I looked him over and didn’t see any injuries. “He’s probably a little shocked, maybe dehydrated, and it’s cool in here. Let’s take him down to the lake and see if he perks up a bit.”

“You’re just going to carry him?”

“Yeah, he’s fine, aren’t you? Can you open that door for me?”

Francis carefully climbed down from the counter and gave me a wide berth on his way to the back door. He opened it, stepped through, and waited a few feet away from me.

“Thanks. I’ll be back.”

“I’m going with you,” he said. “What if he rears up and eats your face off? Maybe he’s just playing possum.”

I smiled. “Aw, you’d protect me if that happened?”

His nostrils flared. “I’d really want to, but probably I would stand there, scream, cry, and then leave you to join your ancestors.”

That had me cackling. “Good to know where I stand.”

He walked beside me as we rounded the house, and when we came in view of the patio, Rog and Arnie came running over.

“Holy shit, one of yours?”

“Arnold Fournier, you know I don’t have snakes. Nah, he’s just a little guy. A kingsnake. Isn’t he handsome?”

Arnie did a whole-body shudder. “I’m glad it’s you and not me. Snakes give me the willies.”

“Good thing he’s not in your house, then,” I said. We got to the lake’s edge, and I found a spot near the water. “Here you go, little guy.” I set him right next to the grass where the ground was probably still warm from the day’s sun. “He can get some heat or some water, whatever he needs. If he’s still in the area tomorrow, I’ll bring him some crickets or worms and see if I can get him to eat. Hopefully he’ll be gone.”

“Won’t something else eat him?” Francis asked, his hand on my back as he leaned down next to me.

“Probably not. These guys usually do the eating. They eat other snakes, including rattlesnakes. They’re resistant to venom. They’ll eat bugs, frogs, lizards... that’s why they’re called kingsnakes.”

“I had a king in my house.”

“You are the king in your house,” I said in a low voice as we stood together. He smiled and pulled me in for a kiss.

“Mmm, I want to wash my hands before I touch you.”

He searched my gaze. “Good. Wash them, because you’re touching me all night.”

“Whoa, we’ll leave you guys alone,” Arnie said, backing away dramatically, while Rog laughed.

“See you guys inside.”

Francis led me back to the laundry room so I could wash up.

“I have a question for you,” I said, while lathering up my hands and forearms.

Francis was paying close attention to my forearms.

Huh.

“My eyes are up here,” I teased.

“Hmm? Oh, am I supposed to focus? I’m thinking how much I’d love to be the one soaping you up.”

I rinsed and licked my lips. “May I have a towel, or should I stay wet over here?”

He rolled his eyes, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around my hands. When I was dry, I gathered him up tight in my arms, and we both moaned.