Page 92 of Cheap Heat

“Don’t you look handsome today?” She joined me on Rafe’s front lawn and peered at the cups of coffee in my hand. “I was just doing some deadheading when I spotted you. How are you, dear?”

I suppressed a sigh, glancing at Rafe’s house. I’d helped Mrs. Tupper out several times with household chores and a bit of DIY, because I was a good southern boy like that, so we were friendly. Plus, she was a sweet old lady. My momma wouldn’t be happy if I wasn’t nice to the sweet old lady across the street.

“I’m good thanks, Mrs. Tupper,” I said politely. “How have you been?”

She opened her mouth to speak, but a faint sound from the direction of Rafe’s house made us both pause. It sounded like someone yelling “Fuck!” from upstairs.

From Rafe’s bedroom.

I looked over, a frown pulling at my brows. His curtains were still shut up there. My frown deepened. What was he doing?

Was he having sex?

I found myself bristling as the thought wormed its way into my brain. Who was Rafe having sex with?

“I’m doing good, honey,” Mrs. Tupper said, and I slowly dragged my gaze back to her, trying to clear the frown from my face. She was smiling up at me brightly. “Actually, while I have you… did I mention the last time we spoke that my granddaughter is coming to visit in a few weeks?”

Trying not to think about what Rafe was doing, I managed to smile as I huffed in amusement. “You did.”

She mentioned it every single time her granddaughter came to visit.

“She just got her PHD! Such a smart girl. Well, not a girl.” She laughed lightly. “A full-grown woman. Wonderfully capable and independent. And one hundred per cent succubus through and through.”

I sighed. “Mrs. Tupper, I know you—”

Another sound from Rafe’s house had me stopping mid-sentence and whipping my head back around. This time it had sounded like something crashing to the floor. I tensed, then tensed even more when I faintly heard him yell, “Fuck you!”

Okay, maybe he wasn’t having sex.

That didn’t sound good.

“Oh dear.” Mrs. Tupper chuckled. “As I was saying, Daniel, I know you enjoy your… bachelor lifestyle, but you really should consider settling down soon. And Laney is just so wonderful. And a succubus,” she reiterated brightly, as if that would sway me.

Still frowning at Rafe’s house, which had gone quiet again, I shook my head and took a step toward it. “I think I should—”

“Oh, I wouldn’t interrupt, dear.” Mrs. Tupper laughed lightly.

Nostrils flaring, I whipped my head back around to frown at her. “Interrupt what?”

“He’s…” She wiggled her fingers in the direction of Rafe’s house, then lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Preoccupied. Trust me, dear. I’m a succubus. I can feel that specific energy from a mile off.” She raised her wispy brows at me meaningfully.

My jaw clenched. So he was having sex with someone? Who?

“But… it sounded like something fell over,” I said, something unpleasant wriggling through my gut as I glanced at the house again. “And he yelled—”

“Yes, it seems our quiet ghoul neighbour is a bit more adventurous in the bedroom than we realised, hmm?” She laughed and reached out to touch my arm as I stared up at Rafe’s bedroom windows. “Anyway, dear, I’d be so delighted if you came over for dinner once Laney arrives. Just to get to know her a bit better.”

Who was Rafe having angry, furniture-throwing sex with? That billy goat creep with the donkey dick?

What the fuck?

“Daniel, honey?” Mrs. Tupper patted my arm. Realising I was being rude, I forced my gaze back to her. She glanced at the two mugs in my hand again, then over at Rafe’s, a hint of suspicion filling her eyes. “Were you… heading over to see Rafe?”

A wave of humiliation made heat climb up my throat. Here I was, standing on his front lawn with a cup of coffee for him, while he was—according to Mrs. Tupper—busy having wild, animalistic sex with someone.

Potentially a guy with a donkey dick.

“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head and offering no explanation for the second cup I was holding.