Page 62 of Dock

“No.” Noodle slightly arches his back to indicate he’d like to be rubbed. “It’s just…something she can do.” One pet along his spine results in him removing a paw from my throat. “Proves that she gives a fuck.”

“By washing your clothes?” The disdain deepens. “That’s giving housewife in the 30s and dinner on the table 40s.”

“You like flowers?”

Confusion further crinkles her brow. “Idontknow. I guess?”

“You guess?”

“I mean no one’s ever bought me flowers outside of Teacher Appreciation week, so I don’t really know if I like getting them or simply tolerate getting them because it’s part of the routine.” It’s my turn to look a bit caught off guard, which pushes her to explain, “Look, getting a handful of crunched carnations or picked from your parents’ garden sunflowers or discount dying daisies is a sweet gesture from the kids; however, I have no comparison for it actually coming from someone you’re dating or trying to date or wanna date or whatever. I mean I think I’d be into it? I like the way roses smell, but like chicks are always getting roses in movies and literature – don’t get me started on the trite nature of it in Shakespeare – so I’d love to be surprised with something different or rare or odd.” Realizing her answer has gone off the tree limb leads to her quickly shaking away the ramble. “For the sake of this conversation-”

“Which conversation?”

“The one you started about Stepford Wives.”

“Who?”

“You really don’t get that reference?”

My second stroke of Noodle is delivered alongside a slow head shake.

“Consider that homework, youngin’.” Amusement slipping into her stare sparks it to appear in mine. “First the book then the movies.”

“There gonna be a pop,” an impish wink is shot in her direction, “quiz on it?”

More redness is exposed at the same time her best friend tucks his paw under his chin showcasing content rather than contempt. “Can you just…” Waving the brush around in the space between us sends droplets flying through the air. “Why?” It’s spun around needlessly higher, an action that continues to demonstrate her adorable level of rattled. “Flowers.” Another huff is expelled. “What? You know. Why that question?”

It’s impossible not to smirk. “I like when you’re flustrated.”

“I’m not flustrated,” she quickly denies. “And flustrated isn’t even a real word!”

“Should be.” My teasing grin remains. “Maybe it’s a word from the future. Maybe it’s a word I should include in my letter to my future self.” Taunting eyebrow waggles occur. “Maybe it’ll impress him or some shit.”

“You…” Emmerz lets her entire face scrunch, “you make me flustrated.”

“I also make you squeal, scream, and sob when you come.”

“One time!”

“Still happened.” Light scratches behind Noodle’s ear precede an innocent shrug. “Can make it happen again.”

Whimpers ignite arrogant chuckles, shaking my chest, an action that irritates my new furry friend given the one eye he pops back open at me.

Technically, I can.

We’d just need a rubber run first.

Yeah.

Fucked through the entire pack.

Not a first but still not the regs.

Haven’t done that since Tex’s patch party a few years back.

And while we could go raw – I’m fucking clean and know I’m fucking clean due to Frog’s constant health shit diligence – I don’t think that’s what she wants.

Well.