Mr.Purr-fectandtheGeek

GoneGeek#2

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Mr.Purr-fectandtheGeek

GoneGeek2

WhenveterinarianRaulisreunitedwithhislostcathegetsmorethanhebargainedforinMiranda,the

sassy woman who wipes the floor with his subpar gaming skills. But Miranda doesn’t know if Raul is
flirtingwithher,orifhe’sthestalkershe’slivedinfearofforyears.Ishethecrazycatguyofherdreams,
ordoeshewanther—deadoralive?

Toallmyfellowcatladies.

<3

TableofContents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Epilogue.

1.

ItwasaMondayonaWednesday,andthatwasbeforetheterrierinpatientroomfourtookachunkoutof
Raul’sforearm.Hepressedthetoweltothepuncturewoundsandwatchedblooddripoffhiselbowinto
thesink.

Great.
Hehadafullsetofrooms,patientsforhours,andnoothervetsondutytonight.Theon-callbackup

wasn’tanswering,sohecouldn’teventaketimetogethisarmproperlywrapped.Worriedpetowners
wouldnotbecomfortedifhewascoveredinblood,andhe’dneverreplacehisback-upscrubsafterthe
incidentwiththePomeranian.Whatwasitaboutlittledogs,anyway?Man,theywerecutewithattitude.

Andherehe’djusthadtoundergoafull-scalebarrageoftestsandshotsforthelastdistressedpet

incident.Gettingthemagainwasgoingtobeapaininthebutt.Hecouldn’tblametheterrier.Raul
wouldn’tlikesomeonesqueezinghisanuseither.Ifonlythetechhadn’tletgoofthedogtocheckher
damncellphone.

Heeyedthewoundsoncemore,relievedtofindthey’dfinallystoppedleaking.Aquickwash,some

topicalantibiotic,andabitofgauzewithsomeneon-pinkvetwraptoholditallinplace,andhewas
readytojumpbackintothefray.Itwasn’thisworstday,buthe’dbegladwhentheeveningshiftatthe
twenty-four-hourvetclinicwasover.

“Patientinroomoneready?”Hesnaggedthechartandglancedoverthevitalsandtestresults.Looked

likesomeonewasabouttobeanewmommy.

Hetappedonthedoorwhenthetechignoredhisquestion.
Damncellphones.Hewasgoingtohavetofigureoutapolitewaytosuggestbanningthemfromthe

workareas.

“LolaMarie?”Raulpushedthedooropen,glancingfirstatthefelineballoffurcurledupontheexam

tableandthenatLola’sguardian.

ExceptRaul’seyesskippedbacktoanall-too-familiarpatchofrust-coloredfurintheshapeofa

questionmarkontopofthecat’shead.

Lola—no,Penny?—pickedherheadupandblinkedhersleepy,ambereyesathim.Herpinklittlenose

twitched.Raultookastepcloser.No,way...

“Penny?”hewhispered.
Thecatuncurledherselfandstretched,haunchesup,shouldersdown,tailtwitching.Shewaddleda

fewstepstotheedgeoftheexamtable.

Meow?
“Uh,I’msorry,wehaven’tmet?”Thewomanseatedonthepaddedbenchrose.
Raulcouldn’tlookawayfromthecat.WasitreallyPenny?But...Hisformerfiancéehadtakenthecat,

alongwithhistextbooks,whenthey’dsplit.She’dsaid“fairisfair,”whenheaskedwherePennywas,
whateverthehellthatwassupposedtomean.

“Excuseme?”
Raul’sheadsnappedup.Thewomanontheothersideofthetablehadaonebrowarched,lipspursed

andannoyancecreasingherfeatures.

“I’msorry,but...Thiscat?Wheredidyougether?”Raulreachedout,strokingtheshort,softhair

alongPenny’sback.

“AladyrentingahouseafewdoorsdownleftLolawhenshemovedout.I...”Nowthewoman

glancedaway.“AneighborandIgotherout.”

“Does—Lolahaveamicrochip?”
“I...don’tknow.Imean,IkeepmeaningtodoitbutIhaven’t...”
“I’mgoingtoscanherrealquick.”
Raulknewhewasbeingrude,thatthiswasnothowtheexamshouldgo,buthecouldn’tlookatLola

andnotseePenny.HesnaggedaRFIDscannerfromthewallofdevicesandreturnedtopatientroomone.

ThewomanhadLolacradledinherarmswhenhereturned.Thewayshestaredathimwasplainly

suspicious.

“I’msorry,thisiscompletelynottypical.”Raulpressedhishandtohischest.“I’mDr.C,orRaul.”
“I’mMiranda.ThisisLola.”
“CanyouputLolaonthetable?”Hesmiled,tryinghisbesttoregainhisbestpatientmanner,butnot

havinghishandsonPenny—Lola—wasmakinghimantsy.Hehadtoknow.

Miranda’sgazenarrowed,butshecomplied,crossingthedistance.Herheelsclickedonthefloor,and

thefrontofherblackwrapdresswascoveredinfur.Shedidn’tseemtomindthataspectofpet
guardianship,likemanywomendid.

“WhatseemstobetheproblemwithLola?”RaulstrokeddownLola’sback.
Lola,inturn,shovedherbuttupintheairandrubbedherfaceontheexamtable.
“Thatissoweird.”Mirandastoodback.“She’susuallysuchagrumparoundpeople.Iliterallynever

seeherdothis.”

RaulclickedtheRFIDhandheldscanner,poweringiton,anddidaquickswipeoverLola’s

shoulders,holdinghisbreath.

Thereaderflashedonce,displayingthenumberhe’dmemorizedbacktohim.
Hesetthescannerdownonthetableandknelt,lookingPennyrightinherambereyes.
Holyshit.
ItwasPenny.
HisPenny.
Andshewasallgrownup.
“Doctor...?”
“I’msorry.Really,I’msorry.”Hestoodandtookastepbackandcoveredhismouth.
Itwashiscat.
Hiscathisex-fiancéehadstolen.
Butshewasn’thiscatanymore.
“Dude,Idon’tknowwhatyourdealis,butI’mlosingmypatiencehere.Whatthehellisgoingon?”
“Miranda,right?”HetorehisgazefromPenny,directingitatherguardian.“I’msorry.Ireallyam

but...Iknowthiscat.”

“What?”Miranda’sbrowscrunchedup.Dang,butshewascute.Herhairwascurling,scrunchedup

aroundherheadlikeahaloandherfacewasopen,expressive.Rightnowhe’dbewillingtoguessshe
wasclosetochewinghimoutifhedidn’tsupplyanswerspronto.

“LolaisPenny.I’msorry.I’mreallyscrewingthisup.”HestrokedPenny’sback,partofhimshocked

thiswasevenhappening.“Tenyearsago,myfiancéeleftmeandtookthiskittenI’dbottlefedfrombirth.I
hadPennymicrochippedand...LolaisPenny.”

“Wait.Wait.Wait.”Mirandashookherheadandtookastepclosertothetableuntiltheywereboth

leaningupagainstitfromeitherside.“YoumeantotellmethatLolawasyourcattenyearsago?”

“That’swhatthemicrochipsays.”
“Andyourex-fiancéeabandonedherinahouse...downthestreetfromme?”
“Idon’tknow.”HeloweredhimselftohiselbowssohecouldlookPennyintheeyes.

Pennyfloppedovertoherbackandbattedathisnose.
Whatkindofcrazyworldwasthis,wherehisoldcatwasalsohispatient?
Miranda stared at the vet. Five minutes ago, he’d been Dr. McDreamy material, but now—was he

tryingtotakeLolaMarieawayfromher?Whatwerethelegalitieshere?Yeah,hewashot,butshewasn’t
goingtorolloverandgivehimhercat.

Lolawasallshehadleft.
Sincethebreak-in—andherfamilyconvincedshewaslosinghermarbles—Lolawasallshehad.

Evenherbestfriendswerestatesaway.Therewasonlysomuchtheycoulddothroughtheinternetand
theiroccasionalget-togethers.

Mirandacouldn’tlosehercat,noteventosomeonewhohadabetterclaimonherthanMirandadid.
HerworryoverLola’slethargywasreplacedbytheall-consumingfearoftheunknown.
Therewasnowayshewasgivingthismanhercat.
She’dcommittedacrimetosaveLola.WhoeverSexyScrubswas,hewasn’tgettinghercat.

Whateverittook,MirandawasgoingtokeepLola.ShewasMiranda’sanchor,herreasonforcoming
home,forgoingtowork.Someonehadtobuyherfancycatfoodandtoys.Thatstuffwasn’tcheap.

“Thishasgottobeveryweirdrightnow.Again,Iamsorry.I’mRaul,bytheway.”Heturnedhis

sinfulchocolateeyesonherandextendedhishand.

“Yousaidthatalready.”Sheshookhishand.Inanothersituation,she’dprobablygoalittleweakin

herkneesatthetouchandentertainsomenot-so-politefantasiesabouthim.It’dbeenanawfullylongtime
sinceshe’dhadamaninherlife.Thelastonehadcalledhercrazybeforedumpingher.Butthefateofher
furbabywasatstakehere.

“YoucameinbecauseP—Lola,sorry,hasbeenshowingsomelethargy?”Hishandsstroked

mindlesslyoverLola,who’dmorphedintoadifferentcatandrubbedupagainstthemanwithoutshame.
Thehussy.

“Yeah.”
“Well...”HepressedagainstLola’sstomach,hislipspulledupintoagorgeoussmile.
IfMirandahadhandslikehisonher,she’dprobablybeafanofittoo.Mirandacouldn’tblameLola

toomuchonthatfront.Besides...Dr.Cdidn’tseemlikethecreepertype.Hemightevenbenormal.What
woulditbeliketohaveanormalpersoninherlife,forachange?

“Lola’spregnant.”Raulgrinned.
“What?”Mirandayelped,staringatLolawithwideeyes.“But—shewasfixed.Thevetsaidshewas

fixed.Thescar...She’sfixed!”

“Oh,thisscar?”RaulhookedhishandsunderLola’sribsandsatherup.
IfanyoneelsebesidesMirandahadperformedthatlittlemaneuver,they’dbeshredded.ButLolasat

thereonherbottom,staringdreamilyupatRaullikehewasherkittydaddy.

Whattheactualfuck?
RaulstrokedhisthumboverthelongscaracrossLola’sstomach.
“Yeah,thatone.”Mirandagrippedtheedgeoftheexamtable.
“Shehadanon-malignantmassinherabdomen.Ihaditremovedwhenshewaseightmonthsold

becauseitwasputtingpressureonherkidneys.Thescarseemstohavegrownwithher.That’sabigbelly
ofkittensyou’vegotthere.”HepattedLola’slargetummy.

“How?She’saninsidecat.Shenevermoves.How?”Mirandastared,unsureifshewasshockedmore

bytheimmaculateconceptionorLola’ssuddenone-eightybehavioralshift.

“Maybeshegotout?Anothercatgotin?”
“No,youdon’tgetit.She’sabumponalog.Shenevermoves.”Except...backwhenherhousehad

gottenbrokeninto...CouldLolahavegottenoutthen?Butthatwasoversixweeksagoandfelinegestation

wasprettyfast.Whatif...whatifthestalkerwasback?Butthatwassilly.Whywouldastalkerensureher
catwasknockedup?

Unless...Raulwasherstalker.
Okay,nowshewasgoingoffthedeepend.
Shocklikewhathadbeenonhisfacewasprettyhardtofeign.
“Well,sheisexpectingandprettyfaralong,soI’mnotsurprisedsheisn’tmoving.IfIhadtoguess

you’relookingatalitterofsixorso.”

“Me?”
“Um...yeah.”
“Youaren’ttryingtotakeLolabackoranything?”Miranda’sheartfluttered,eitherfromtheintensity

ofRaul’sstareorthethoughtoflosingLola.

“HowlonghaveyouhadLola?”RaulletLolarollbacktoallfourswhilehecontinuedtopether.
“Sixyears?”
“Really?”Heglancedup.“Shewas...barelytwowhenmyextookher.”
“Sheseriouslytookyourcat?”
“Yeah.”Hegrimaced.“ShesaidIlovedPennymorethanher,andIcan’targuewiththat.Especially

thereattheend.”

“That’snoreasontotakeyourcat.”
Raulsmiled,thoughitwasasadexpression.Allthoseyearslost.Theworry.ItmadeMirandasickto

herstomach.Thisguywasn’therstalker.Hewas...normal.Maybeevennice.

“AndPenny,nowLola,hasbeenwithyoulongerthanshewaseverwithme.”Raulshrugged.He

staredatLolawithasadnessthatresonatedwithMiranda.Sherecognizedthatlonging.Howmanytimes
hadshelookedatsomeoneshelovedandhadtoletthemwalkoutofherlife?

IfsomeonetookLolaawayfromher...God,Mirandawouldgocrazyinthathousebyherself.
“Thisisgoingtosoundstrange...”Raulglancedupather,hisartfullymessyhairfallingforwardover

histannedface.God,hewascute.“WoulditbepossibletovisitLolaandherkittens?”

Mirandaopenedhermouth.
Whatthehelldidshesaytothat?
Wasthisthebeginningofsomecrazy,cat-nappingplot?
“Itotallygetifyousayno.”Raulfishedinthepocketofhisscrubswithonehand,thentheother.

“HowaboutIgiveyoumynumberandyouthinkaboutit?Lola’sgoingtohavethekittenssoon,sodon’t
besurprisedifshestartsnestingsomewhere.”

Heleanedoverandscribbledonabusinesscard.Lolaheadbuttedhishand,asbossyanddemanding

withhimasshewaswithMiranda.

“Here.”Hehandedthecardover.
“RaulC...”
“That’swhyItellpeopletojustcallmeDr.C.”Hegrinned.
“That’samouthful.”Sheeyedthelastnamethatstretchedonforafewsyllables.“Youprobablyget

thisallthetimebut—”

“Howdoyousayit?Chandrasekar.Chuhn-druh-sheh-kher.”
“I’llsticktoDr.C.”Sheacceptedthebusinesscard.
“OryoucancallmeRaul.”Hesmiled.
Damn,butherstomachdidalittleflop.Mirandaswallowed.Raulwasgoodlookingandwanted

somethingfromher.Shehadtorememberthat.Gorgeousmenneverwantedjusther.Therewasalwaysan
ulteriormotive.Butdamnit,shewantedaguytolookatherlikethatfornootherreasonthansex.Hell,
it’snotlikeshewasaskingforarelationship,even,justclearmotivation.

“Thinkitover.I’dliketoknowshe’sdoingwell.”Hetiltedhisheadtotheleft.

“I’lldothat.Anythingelse?”Sheneededtogetoutofhere.Now.
“Nope.Needahandloadingherup?”RaulgrabbedtheplasticcarrierandhelditwhileMiranda

urgedagrumblingLolabackintothetravelcarrier.“Letmewaivethebill.Please?”

“Areyousure?”Ifhedidthat,washeanglingtogetsomethinginreturn?
“Positive.”
Mirandachewedherlip.Whatifhewasbeinghonest?Whatifshewassojadedshecouldn’tseea

niceguybeingnice?

“Okay,”shesaidfinally.
“I’llwalkyouout.”
Thebettertoseewhatshedrove?
Thatwassilly.Hewassonotherstalker.
“Doesshestilldroolinhersleep?”Raulaskedastheysteppedoutofthetwenty-four-hourclinic.The

nightskywasmostlyobscuredbycloudsthreateningmorerain.

“Yeah,actually.Andshesnores.”
“Yes.”Raullaughed,headtossedback.“Iusedtocarryheraroundinthisridiculousrobe,tuckedin

thepocketwhenIwasbottlefeedingher.Icouldn’tbelieveasoundthatloudcamefromananimalso
small.”

Mirandacouldactuallypicturethat.Raulinherdorkygray,polkadothouserobe,akittenswaddled

upinthepocket.Adorablewasanunderstatement.

“Thisisme.”Sheclickedthekeyfobandthelightsflashed.
Raulopenedthebackseatandtookthecarrierfromher,beltingitinlikeapro.
“Thanks,”shemumbled.
“Hey,thankyou.I’vebeenwonderingwherePenny—Lola—endedupforyears.I’mjust—thankyou.”

Heshovedhishandsintohispockets,hismusculararmsflexing.

Yes,and,Pleasecomeover,wereonthetipofhertongue,butthatwasherlibidotalking.Beforeshe

agreedforDr.Cutetocomeoverandcheckoutherkitty,shehadtorunitbyhergirlfriends.Someonewas
boundtohavebettersensethanshedidasoflate,whatwithherrampantparanoia.

“Itwasnicetomeetyou.”Mirandaheldoutherhand.
“Bestthingtohappenallday.”Raulclaspedhersinbothofhis.
“Lookslikeitwasaneventfulone.”Shetippedherheadforward,glancingatthepinkvetwrap.
“It’salwaysinteresting.Drivesafe?”Hebackedupafewstepsbeforeturningaround.
Mirandawatchedhimjogbacktotheclinicentrance,herheadstillspinning.
Holyhell.
Shejumpedintothedriver’sseatandpressedherspeeddialwhilebeltingin.Lolawasalready

singingthesongofherpeopleatfullvolume.

“DearGod,hasthatcatkilledyouyet?”RashaesaidoverLola’ssinging.
“Rashae,youarenevergoingtobelievewhatjusthappened!”Mirandarelatedthehighlightsofher

vetvisitwhilesheheadedtowardhome.

“Thisguy—hewasLola’sowner?Andshedidn’tkillhim?”
“Shewasatotaldoll!”
“Lola?Yourpsychocat?”
“Yes,thatLolaMarie.Andhewantstocomevisitherandthekittens.Ithink...Ican’tfigureoutifhe’s

comingover,anglingtotakeLolaback,orifhe’dwantoneofthekittens,orwhat.”

“Miranda,youcan’tkeepthinkingeveryrandompersonyoumeetisyourstalker.”
“Iknow.Iknow.Ijust...”
“Didhesayanythingaboutwantingherback?”
“No,heactuallysaidshe’dlivedwithmelongerthanhim,sohewantedtovisit.”

“Hecouldbeoneofthosecrazycatdudes,likeCrystal.Thatmightbeworsethanastalker.”
“Iwouldtakethatoverastalkeranydayoftheweek.”EspeciallyiftheylookedlikeMr.Purrfect

backthere.

“Andwhat’shisname?”
“RaulC-something.It’slong.I’mguessingIndian.Hewassupertan,deepbrowneyes,blackhair.

Chan-dresser?No.Shoot.It’sonhisbusinesscard.”

“Chundrusheker?”
“Close.”
“Foundhim.Ithink.DoeshelooklikeoneofthoseBollywoodhotties?”
“Yes.”
“Dude,youshouldhaveaskedhimtotakehisshirtoff!Thoseabs...”
“What?”
“Heisalloverthisonesite.Ithinkhe’sinvolvedwiththisanimalcharitything.There’sapictureof

him,soakingwetwithpuppies.Dearlord.Andyoudidn’tshovehiminyourcar?Whoareyou,andwhat
haveyoudonewithMiranda?”

“IthoughtIshouldrunitbyoneofyou!Youknowmeandmyproblems.”Sheturnedthewheeland

pulledintothedrivewayofherhouse.“We’rehome,Lola!”

“Gobacktothatclinicnowandkidnapthatman.Idon’tcareifhewantsyoutobehissugarmamaor

ifheisyourstalker,hemightbeworthit.Damn.”

“No,I’mnotkidnappinghim.Ican...justinvitehimover.”Mirandaslidoutofthecar,twitchingher

skirtintoplace.

“Yes.Tonight.Andchainhimtoyourbed.”
“Shutup.Icalledyoutotalksomesenseintome.”
“AndI’mtellingyou,unlesshe’sseriouslycrazyornarcissistic—havefun.Youneedfuninyourlife.

Actually,evenifheiscrazy,Ibetyoucouldcureitwithaballgagforanight.Youneedtoletloosea
little,andthatman’sbodyisaplayground.Ifhestartsaskingforstufforwantingalockofyourhair,then
callmetotellyouno.Untilthen—OhmyGod—itliterallyis!Therearekittensandpuppiesplayingon
him.I’msendingyouthevideonow.Hell,I’msharingthiswitheveryoneIknow.”

“I’mhanginguponyou.MaybeTamaraorPiperwillbemorereasonable.”
“Nope.Tamarahasacrazysexdatewiththeprofessor,starting—halfanhourago.AndPiperis

working.It’scrunchtime,remember?”

“AndhereIwaswonderingwhyIcalledyou.”
“Youloveme,boo.”
“Ido.Bye.”
MirandahauledthecarrierintothehouseandletLolaout.Thecatcastherabalefulglareoverher

shoulderbeforeslinkingofftothesofa.

BythetimeMirandamadeittohertablet,thevideoRashaehadtaggedherinhadacoupledozenlikes

andplentyofdroolingcommentary.ShekickedoffhershoesandcurledupnexttoLola,whowasstill
ignoringher,andwatchedfourorfivevideosofRaulplayingwithvariouscute,babyanimals.Itall
seemedtobelinkedtosomesortofanimalrescuecharitything.Thecalltoactionmessagewasn’tvery
strong,butthevideoswerecandy.Thewebsitewassorelylackingandtheirbrandingwasn’tquiteas
strongasitcouldbe,buthavingRaulfrontandcenterwasasmartchoice.

Peoplelikedbabyanimals.
Hotguyswithbabyanimals?
Itwasaperfectstorm.
Mirandapulledoutthebusinesscardandbitherlip.

HejustwantedtoseeLola.Hisformercat.Therewasnoharminthat.Andshewastheonewiththe

crazylibidoandissues.Heprobablyonlysawherasanotherpetparent.

Whatever.
ItwouldbecooltohavesomeonearoundwholikedLola.Apersonwhoknewnothingabouther

paranoia.Anormalguy.

Mirandapluggedinhisnumberandshotoffatext.
What’syourschedulelike?Anyfreeevenings?
FrankKellissqueezedthestressballandwatchedthelittleredbliponhisscreen.
Shewashome.Whereshebelonged.
No,thatwasn’tquiteright.
Shebelongedtohim,butMirandawasafeistycreature.Sheneededtaming.Intime,shewouldcome

tohim.Hewascertainofit,nowthatthelastboytoywasoutofhersystem.It’dbeen—what?Ayear?A
yearandahalf,sincehe’dtaughtthatpitifulexcuseforamanalesson?

Franksippedhisteafromthemughe’dtakenfromMiranda’shomeandsmiled.
Allingoodtime.

2.

Raul got out of his Jeep, practically bouncing on his toes. Ever since yesterday, he’d been vibrating
with...excitement.Anditwasn’tjustbecausePennywasalive.

Though,withhisluck,Mirandawasmarriedwithafullhouse.Awomanwiththosecurvesandthat

smileshouldhavesomeonetoappreciateheronadailybasis.

Thehousewasinanolderpartoftown,whereeachhomewasuniqueandloadedwithcharacter.

Miranda’ssportednewer,dark-graysiding,whitewindows,areddoor,andachimneywithsmoke
curlingoutofit.Hegrabbedhisbag,slungitoverhisshoulder,anddidhisbestnottoboundupthestairs
tothebungalow’sdoorstep.

He’dpausedonlytoshowerandchangeafterwork.Adetailhisstomachwasremindinghimofvery

loudlyrightnow—butPenny!

Lola.
Shit.
Hewasgoingtohavetorememberthat.
Raulknockedoutarhythmonthedoor.Hegraspedtheshoulderstrapwithbothhandsandwaited.
Thesecondstickedby.
Noanswer.
Hetappedhistoesandglancedatthebigwindowsinfront.
Hm.Thelightswereonandtherewasclearlyafiregoing,sowherewasshe?
Thestreetwasmostlydevoidofcars,sotherehadtobearearentry.
Hadsherunoutforamoment?Didshenothearthedoor?Whatwasshedoing?Shouldhetexther?

Leaveandtryagainanotherday?

Onemoretry.
Heknockedasecondtime,firmer,louder.
Soft,distantthud-thud-thudsbeatoutarhythm,steadilygrowinglouder.
Thedoorjerkedopen.
HestaredatMiranda,ahellofrozenonthetipofhistongue.
Mirandawasoutofbreath,eyeswide,awrinkleofworrycreasingherbrow.
“What’swrong?”Raulsteppedinpasther,lookingaroundforsomeemergency.
“Ican’tfindLola.”Mirandapacedawayfromthedoor,herbarefeetslappingonthehardwood.
Fromtheentryhecouldseeintoanofficespaceonhisrightandtoanopen-conceptlivingroom,

diningareaandkitchentotheleftandinfrontofhim.Thefurniturewasneat,ifworn,andtherewasthe
tale-tellcathaironeverything.

“Don’tfreakout.”Heloopedthebagoverhisheadandsetitdown.“When’sthelasttimeyousaw

her?Remember,she’llbenesting,soshe’sprobablyfoundaspotandsettledin.”

Mirandashovedahandthroughhershort,curlinghair.Unlikeyesterday’ssexyblackwrapnumber,

sheworeknee-lengthyogapantsandazip-uptrackjacket.Damn,butthosecurveswerekicking.

“ShewasonthecouchthismorningwhenIleft.”MirandagesturedattheL-shapedsectionalwitha

cat-shapeddipononecushion.

“Okay,doyoumindifIlookaround?”

“Please.I’vebeenlookingforhersinceIgothome.”Shepushedherhandthroughherhairyetagain.

Eachtimeherhairseemedtoget...bigger.Curlier.

Raulcheckedbehindthesofaandunderit.
“Anyoneelsehomewhomighthaveseenher?”Hewinced.Itwasalogicalquestion,albeitafishing

expeditionaswell.

“No...Ilivebymyself.”
“Anyonehaveakeythatmighthavecomeover?Letherout?”Hemadeacircuitofthelivingroom,

butnothingstuckoutasagoodnestingplaceforamamacat.

“No,I...um...”Mirandafollowedhimintoheroffice.
“Wow.Youafan?”HegesturedtothepostersizedvideogamecoversofoneoftheearlierDrudge

games,apost-apocalypticRPGmultiplayerserieshedug.

“Yeah.”Sheansweredwithoutactuallyhearinghim.
Right.
ShewasmoreconcernedaboutfindingLola,whichheappreciated.
Theycheckedclosets,thekitchencabinetsandpantry.Theywentonatourofthebasement,which—

holyshit—wasoneofthebest,trickedouttheater-slash-videogameroomshe’deverseen.Theupstairs
guestroomsappearedtohavebeenuntouchedbyhumansandcatalike.Hehadtowaitamomentwhile
Mirandatidiedupherbedroomforaquickonce-overthere.

Butstill—noLola.
“Wherecouldshebe?”Mirandaperchedontheedgeofherbed,kneesdrawnup.Ifshewasn’tso

distraughthe’dcallhercute,whatwiththepoutinglip.

“She’sheresomewhere.Whataboutoutside?”
“Shedoesn’tgooutside.”
“Thenhow’dshegetknockedup?”
“Ihavenoidea,butLolaisanindoorcat.”
“Canwelookoutside?”
“Fine.”Mirandarolledhereyesandledthewaybackthroughthekitchenandoutintothebackyard.
Thetallprivacyfencemadethesmallspaceintimate.Thepatiowascoveredbyatrellisdrapedwith

vinesofsomesort.

“What’sthat?”Raulgesturedatwhatlookedsuspiciouslylike—
“Oh,that’smycathide.Imadeitlastfallforthisferalcatthatwashangingouthere.”
Raulcrouchedinfrontoftheplastictubsandgrinned.Hecouldalreadyhearthetinymewlsfor

attention.

“IfoundLola.”
“What?”
Hepriedonelidoff,liftedalayerofStyrofoamout,thenthesecondlid.
Sureenough,Lolaglaredupatthemfromherproneposition,nursingherlitter.
“Lola!”
“Istheheatingpadstillon?”Raulpeeredbehindthetub.
“Yes.It’sonatimer...Howdidshegetouthere?Whydidyoucomeoutsidetohaveyourbabies,

Lola?Whatonearthhasgottenintoyou?”

“Well,it’stheperfectnest.Howaboutwetakethewholethinginside?”Raulreplacedthelid,foam

andlid.“Thisisaprettynicehide.”

“Thanks,therewasaYouTubevideo.”
“Doyouwantto...wipeitdownfirstor...?”
“What?”ThewayMirandastaredathim,likewhatareyousaying,hithimrightinthegut.
Awomanafterhisownheart.

Thedust,leavesandstuffclingingtotheoutsideofthetubsdidn’tmatterasmuchasgettingthemama

andherbabiesbackinside.Heunpluggedtheheatingpadandgentlyliftedthewholehide,carefultonot
jostleLolaorthelitter.Mirandaledthewaybackinside,holdingthedoorsandfussinguntiltheyhadthe
newfurryfamilysetupinashelteredcornerofthelivingroom.

“Shouldtheycomeoutofthere?DoIneedtogetsomethingelseforthemtogointo?”Shepeeredover

hisshoulderatthekittenswhileRauleyeballedthem.

“No,actuallythisisperfect.Itmakessensewhyshe’dpickthisforhernest.It’swarm,shelteredand

thekittenscan’tcrawloutofit.Plus,atthisagetheycan’tregulatetheirbodyheatsoshe’dwanttoput
themsomewherewarm.I’dliketoseehowtheheatingpadisplacedunderthetublater,butfornowIsay
leavethembe.Sheprobablyhadthemthismorning,sothey’reallprettytired.”

“OhmyGod,they’readorablelittlejellybeans.”Mirandaplacedonehandonhisshoulderandleaned

overthekittens,cooingatthemwhileLolaseemedtorollherfelineeyes.

IfRaulhadtoguess,hedidn’tthinkthiswasLola’sfirstlittereither.Shewasperfectlyatease.Which

waswhytheonekittenpushedofftothesideworriedhim.

“Nottoconcernyou...”
“What?”Mirandaloweredtoherknees,thentoonehip,legscurledupunderher.
“Seethatoneblackkitten?”
“Yeah...”
“Iwantyoutowatchthatone.Ifshedoesn’tappeartobenursingit—”
“Whywouldn’tshe?”
“Well,that’swhatI’msaying.Mamassometimeswon’tnurseruntsorkittensthathavebirthdefects.”
“Canyoucheckitout?You’reavet.”
“Right.Butitmightnotbehungry,itcouldbesleeping,I’dliketojustwaitandwatchabit.”
“Willitdie?”
“Hopefullynot,butalitterofsevenisprettybig.Statistically—”
“No,no,no,donottalknumberstomewhenmycatisinvolved.”
Raulbithisliptokeepfromsmiling.Damn,shewascute.
“Chancesareit’sarunt,andsometimesyouhavetohelpruntsoutinthebeginning.Penny—sorry—

Lola,wasarunt.”Hereachedinandgavetheproudmamaaheadscratch.

“JustcallherPenny.ShecanbePennyLolaMarie.”Mirandaleanedagainstthesideofthetub,

smilingdownatthekittens.“Ijustdon’tgethowyourexcouldtakeheraway.Whatkindofabitchwas
she?Sorry—that’smymouthspeakingbeforeIthink.”

“I...yeah.Ican’tthinkofherasanythingbuttheEx-Bitch,soI’mbiased.”
“Really—youhavetotellmehowapersondoesthatsortofthing.”
Shit.
Raulrubbedhisface.
Wheredidhestart?
“NavyaandI...”Heblewoutabreath.“Ourparentswerefriends.Wegrewuptogether.Itjustmade

sensewhenwewereinhighschoolthatwewoulddate.Ilikedher,butweweredifferent.Herparents
wereimmigrants,mineweresecondandfirstgenerationAmericans.Therewasaculturaldividewe
neverreallygotover,andthenwewereincollegeand...”

“Yikes.I’mgoingtoneedfoodifthisstoryismuchlonger.”
“I’mstarving.”
“IsitrudeifIsayIwantIndianfoodnow?”
“Soundsgoodtome.”
HepusheduptohisfeetandofferedMirandaahandup.Sheledthewaybacktothekitchenand

pulledatakeoutmenufromadrawercrammedfullofthem.Theyphonedintheorderaftersome

discussiononappetizers,andtookupseatsonthesofawithineasydistanceofthekittens.

“Okay,youwerekids,youdated,youwenttocollege—go.”Mirandatwistedtofacehim,legscurled

underher.

“Lookingback,Icanseethewarningsigns.”
“Youalwayscan.”
“MyplanwastogotocommunitycollegeuntilIhadtotakecoreclasses,thenswitchtouniversityand

startvetschool.”

“Whichissosmart.Ididthesamething.”
“Shedidn’tlikethat.Shewantedtogotouniversitytogether.”
“Ouch.”
“Iknewthedayherparentsofferedtopaythedifferencethatitwasabaddeal.”
“They—what?”
“Yeah.”Raulgrimaced.Eighteen-year-oldhimhadseenagoldenopportunitytohaveitall.Butit

camewithaprice.

“So—whathappened?”
“Itookit.Theypaidforeverything.”
“Andthecatch?”
“Theyassumeditwastimetostartplanningthewedding.”
“Okay.Itkindofmakessense.”
“Wemadeitthroughvetandlawschool,onlybecausewedidn’thavethesameschedules.Bythetime

wegraduated...wehatedeachother.Wewerefundamentallydifferentpeople,andgrowinguponly
increasedthedivide.”

“Butyourfamiliesweresuperintotheideaofyoubeingmarried?”
“Wetried.Andwehatedit.NavyaneverlikedtheideathatIjustwantedtobeavet.Itwasalways

moneywithher.HowwasIgoingtomakemoremoney?Whatkindofmoneywasthereinavetclinic?
Whynotbeadoctor?”

“Sosheresentedwhatyouwantedtodobecauseitdidn’tfitherideal?”
“Prettymuch.Wecouldneveragreeaboutourpriorities.Shewantedmoney.Iwantedtofollowmy

dreams.”Hegrimaced.

“What’ssobadaboutthat?”
“Haveyoueverhadadreamnooneelseunderstood?”
“Yes.”Mirandarepliedsofast,withoutashredofdoubt.
“Yeah?Whatwasit?”
Miranda stared at Raul, her stomach knotting up. He resented his ex-bitch for being a woman with

tenacitywhofollowedherdreams,albeitdreamsRauldidn’tshare.Mirandaswallowed.Asmallvoice
thatsoundedanawfullylotlikeRashaeyelledatherfromtherecessesofhermind.Shetoyedwithher
necklace, twisting the charm around. Why was it at work she could bust balls and not give a fuck? But
takeheroutoftheofficeandshecringedatmakinganyonetheslightestbitunhappy?

IfRaulresentedherforherdreams—andsucceeding—thatwasonhim.Nother.
TheRashae-voicewasright.
Damnher.
“Istartedavideogamecompany,”shesaid.
“Noshit?”Hegrinned.“How’dthatgo?”
“Notsogreatthefirsttimearound.”
“Whichone?Iwaswonderingwhyagirlhadsuchanepicvideogameset-up.”
“Becausevideogamesareforboys?”Okay,nowshewantedtostranglehim.
“No,just—”

Aknockatthedoorsavedhimfromwhateverholehewasabouttodrownin.
Mirandacrossedtothedoor,rollinghereyes.ItwastoomuchtoaskforDr.Dreamytobeperfect,but

thatwasherluck.Theguysshelikedwereperfectinoneregard,andutterlylackinginanother.Theway
thingswentforher,he’dbecallingheraparanoidcrazyladynext,thesamewayherlastboyfriendhad
justbeforehewalkedoutonher.Whichwaswhytheonlymeninherlifewereonesonpages.

Itwaspossiblethetotalpackagedidn’texistforher,andshe’dliveherlifeasacrazycatlady.
Therewereworsefatesinlife.
Shepulledthedooropenandsignedforthefood.Raulwasthere,takingthefoodandbeinggenerally

overlyhelpful.Thewayamaniswhenherealizestheerrorofhisways.

“Ididnotmeantosoundthatway—thatgirlscan’tlikevideogames—”
“Yeah,yeah,I’llstillkickyourass.”
“Isthatapromise?”Rauldidthisthingwithhisface.Itwasasmile,butitwasmorethanthat.It

was...sexy...inviting...Ifsheweren’tirritatedwithhim,herpantiesmightbealittlebitwet.Thesmile
slowlydimmed.“Isaidsomethingwrong,didn’tI?”

“No,it’sfine.”
“Whenawomansays,it’sfine,it’snotfine.”
“Don’tworryaboutit.”
“Miranda.”Hewrappedhishandaroundherwrist,nottootight,morelikeasteadyingtouch.Damn

him,butheevenlookedearnest.Likehereallymeantit.Andmaybehedid.“Seriously,Ididn’tmeanto
soundlikegirlscan’tbeintovideogames.”

“It’s...it’snotyousomuchasI’mreallysickofthatmindset.I’veworkedinandaroundthevideo

gameindustrysinceIwasinhighschool.Iputmyselfthroughcollegeasanadminatagamecompanyand
thengotinonthedevelopmentandoperationssideofthings.It’slike...Ican’tdoanythinggoodenoughto
escapethat,you’reagirl,label.I’malwaysthecrazygirl.”

Sheblinkedandfocusedonthebrightlightoverhead.
Shewouldnotcryinfrontofhim,notforbeingherself.
“Thatreallysucks.Ididn’tmeantosoundlikethat.It’sreallycoolyou’vebeenabletodosomething

you’repassionateabout.”Hedugintohisfood,butdidn’tletgoofthelineofconversation.“Wasthat
alwayswhatyouwantedtodo?”

“Yeah.”
“Youneverwantedtodoanythingelse?Somethingmore?”
“Whyareyousopushy?”
Raulshruggedandduckedhishead.“Ijustalwayswonderifpeoplearedoingwhattheywantto,or

whattheyhaveto.Like,Iworkatthetwenty-four-hourvetclinicbecauseitpaysreallywellandIcanget
aflexibleschedule.”

“But...?”
“ButIreallywanttorunanon-profitrescueandcharity.”
“That’scool.”
“I’dliketogettheresomeday.”
“Ibetyoucouldmakethathappen.”Shebitherlipandtappedherforkagainstthetincontainer.Did

shetellhimshe’dseenhiswebsitealready?

“Somedayisnottoday.”Hesettheemptyfooddishonthetable.“Butseriously,tellmemoreabout

thegamecompany.”

“No.”Shepushedherfoodaround,annoyedatherownstubbornnature.
Theyatewithanoccasionalbitofhaltedconversation,butshe’deffectivelyroad-blockedthem.She

wassotiredofbeingtreatedaslessthanjustbecauseshehadovaries.Raulseemedtogetthedriftand
eventuallystoppedtryingtogethertotalkandfinishedoffhisfoodinstead.

HenoddedatLola,stretchingafteremergingfromhernest.“Shallwehavealookatthebabies?”
MirandaslidoffherstoolandfollowedRaulovertothebox.Lolaproceededtoherfooddishwithout

abackwardglance.Raulpriedthetopoffandtheystareddownatapileofsixkittens...andoneruntoff
byitself.

Raulscoopedtheblackruntupandturnedthefurryjellybeanoverinhishand.
“Yeah,lookslikeshe’snotfeedinghim.Idon’tseeanythingwrongwithhim,he’sjustlittleand

struggling.”Herubbedhisfingersoverthekitten,whomewledandnosedaroundforamomentbefore
givingupandcurlinginonitself.

“Whatdowedo?”Shereachedoutandranherfingertipsoverthekitten’ssoftfur.
“IthinkI’mgoingtoruntothepetstoreandgetsomeformula.Youwanttoholdontothislittleguy

whileImaketherun?”Heplacedtheruntinherhands.

“Okay.”Shecradledthetinythingtoherchest,itslittlegruntsbreakingherheart.
“I’llbebackinafewminutes.Doyouhaveanyhoney?”
“Yeah...”
“Good.Getitout,andI’llbebackreallysoon.”Hegrabbedhisbagfromtheentry,tossedasmile

overhisshoulder,andwasgone.

Mirandastaredatthedooruntilthesoundofanenginerevvedandthenshekeptstaring.
She’dgoneandgottenherpantiesinatwistovernothing.Latelyshewasdoingthatalot.
Sheneededtotalkthisoutwithpeoplewhoknewher.
Runtinhand,Mirandacrossedtoherhomeofficeandplunkeddownintoherdeskchairand

maximizedthenever-endingchatshehadgoingwithherthreebestfriends.

Miranda:Help
Shesentthemessageoutintotheetherandwaited.
Allthreechatnameswereactive,butthatdidn’tmeananything.
Rashae:Helpyouwhat?
Piper:?
Miranda:Dr.Dreamywashere
Tamara:imsohereforthis
Tamara:whathappened?
Miranda:Hehasex/gfissues.AndI’mgoingcrazylady.
Tamara:lame
Tamara:himnotu
Piper:?
Rashae:Thatblows,buteveryone’sgotbaggage,andyouaren’tcrazy.Justcautious.Withreason.
Miranda:Iknow.Ijustduno.
Tamara:youknowyoudontknow
Tamara:yourenotmakingalotofsense
Piper:Forfuck’ssakeTamara,getanewGoddamnedkeyboard.
Piper:Ican’ttakeyourlackofpunctuationinmylifeanymore.
Tamara:suckacock
Piper:Imight.Idohaveadatetomorrow.
Tamara:what
Tamara:withjosh
Tamara:details
Tamara:aftermsortsouthershit
Miranda:Heisbitterattheex-bitchbecauseitsoundslikeshewassuccessful.Andabitch.
Piper:NotwithJosh.Nochemistry,remember?:(

Tamara:thenhesgotissuesheneedstosortout
Tamara:dontsellyourselfshortanddontlietohim
Tamara:ugPukellenme
Rashae:WhatTsaid.
Rashae:Istillvoteyouusehimforanightthough.
Piper:ThenyoudateJosh.
Rashae:There’snowayhe’syourstalker.
Tamara:uhnothxhemyboss
Rashae:Oh,FYI,Imighthaveaninonagamedesignthing.
Tamara:whut
Tamara:more
Tamara:now
Miranda:Iloveyouguys.
Miranda:Whataboutagamedesignthing?Andhow’syoursister?
Rashae:Sam’sgood.Settlingin.Busywithhernewjob.
Rashae:Thegamedesignwouldbeforagamethatjustlosttheirartist.It’dbealotofwork.
Miranda:Youcantotallydothat!
Piper:*thumbsup*
Miranda:He’sback.
Rashae:Wait!
Rashae:Kittens?
Miranda:6healthy,1needstobebottlefed.
Miranda:Raul’sback,he’sgoingtobottlefeedthebaby.
Rashae:Video.That.Shit.
“Hey,I’mlettingmyselfin,”Raulannounced.
Hepushedthefrontdooropen,hishandsfullofbags.
Foramoment,Mirandasatthere,herbrainshort-circuiting.Inwhatworlddidsheleaveherfront

doorunlocked?

“Whatthehelldidyouget?”sheasked.
“Theyweredoingasaleonformulathat’salmostoutofdate.It’skittenseason.”Heshruggedasifthat

madeperfectsense.“MindifIputthisonthecounter?”

“Please.”
Sheclosedthedoor,lockeditandfollowedRaulintoherkitchenwhereheproceededtowhipupa

concoctionofpowderformula,water,honeyand...Pedialyte?

“Why...?”Shegesturedtothesurpriseingredients.
“Well,thislittleguyhasn’teateninawhile.MayI?”Heheldouthishand,andsheplacedthetiny

kitteninhispalm.“ThePedialyteistorehydratehim.Thehoneywillperkhimup.Andthewater-and-
formulamixiswhathe’llneedgoingforward,untilhe’sstrongenoughtoeatonhisown.”

“Oh.”
Shewatched,fascinatedashecoaxedthetinykittenintolatchingontotheteat.
“I’msqueezingthisjustalittlesohegetsatasteofit.Youdon’twanttodrowntheminformula

becauseit’llgetintheirlungs.Therehegoes.”Raulsmiled.

Thekittenpawedtheair,itslittletailstuckupasitgrunted.
“He’sgoingnow.”Raul’ssmilespreadintoapanty-droppinggrin.
“DoyouthinkLolawilltakehimbacknowthathesmellslikeyou?”
“She’sadomesticatedcat,sothat’sprobablynotanissue.Ideally,he’llbesupplementedbyformula

foralittlewhile,atleastuntilhe’sgotsomestrengthandcangetinthereonhisown.”

“Oh,okay.”Mirandanodded.
“Butitmighttakesometime.”
“So...what?”
“Well,doyoufeelcomfortablebottlefeedinghim?It’sanaround-the-clockgig,Idon’tknowwhat

yourbosseswouldthink.”

“Iamtheboss.”
“Yeah?”Raulglancedup,hisconfusionevident.
“IrunGrungeGames.”
“No,shit?Like—how’dthathappen?”
“The,uh,what?”Sheblinked.Hissmilewasnotwhatshe’dexpectedfromastatementlikethat.
“Up,he’sdone.Hangon,littleguy.”Raulputthebottledownandcrossedtothesink.Heflippedthe

kittenupsidedownandranwarmwateronthelittleguy’sbutt.

“What—areyoudoing?”
“Seeingifhe’llpee.Shit.Ishouldhave—”
“No,no,ifheneedstopee,byallmeans,atthisage,thesinkisfine.Iwasjustcurious.”
“Oh,whew.Thereyougo,dude.”Raulturnedthetapoffandwipedthekittenwithadishrag.“Nowhe

cangoinwithhisbrothersandsisters.”

“Canyoutellit’saboyalready?”
“Prettymuch.”
“Life’smysteries—done.”
Raulputthebabybackinthenest,thenturnedtowardher,hisheadtiltedtotheside.
“Now—backtoyou.”
Shit.

3.

Mirandabitherlip,dreadingthisconversationabit.Shehadtobetruetoherself.Itwasthelastthingin
thisworldthatwastotallyher.Ifshelostthat,shewasnothing.

“Whatdoyoumean,yourunGrungeGames?”RaulmirroredMiranda’scouch-pose,onearmup,legs

curled.

“Istartedit.Inmygarage,eventhoughthat’skindofclichénow.Thisusedtobeourmeetingspace.

ThenIsoldittoDarkMatter.”

“Seriously?Whydidyousellit?”
“Because...It’scomplicated.WedidokayonD1,D2soaredwhenwewentwithallthedifferentstory

linesandwesanktoomuchintoD3andrushedgettingitout,soitstunk.Webarelyscrapedtogether
gettingD4out,andbythenIwasworkingonIOUs.Wejustdidn’thavethecapitaltosupportus,inpart
becausewegottoobigtoofastwithoutgoodenoughmanagement.Asfarasbuyoutsgo,DarkMatterhas
beengreattoworkwith.Theirownersignsoffonourprojects,butotherwisehe’shands-offuntilitcomes
tothebackend.”

“How—Why—Really?”
“Um,what?”Mirandachuckled.“Youaren’t,like,pissed?”
“Why...wouldIbe?”
“Youdidn’tseemverykeenonwomeninuppermanagementroles.”
“No—withNavya...”Hesighed.“Idon’tthinkIevermattered.Withheritwasallaboutmoneyand

whatpeoplethoughtaboutus.Ididn’tlookgoodenoughforher.Thisisdifferent.Thiswasyourdream.
Yourthing.Andyoumadeithappen.That’sawesome.I’dbecrazyifIdidn’tshutupandlisten.”

“Really?”
“Look,myissueswithmyexwere...superficialshit.Idon’tgetthatvibefromyou,unlessI’m

wrong...”

“God,no.Themoney.”Mirandapushedbothhandsthroughherhair.“Cliff,he’stheownerofDark

Matter,andItalkaboutthis.Heisabusinessguy.Peopleunderestimatehimallthetimebecausehe’sa
littlepermafriedandhe’saterriblepeopleperson,butheknowshowtoworkabusiness.Hegetsthat.
I...amapeopleperson.I’mgoodatorganizing.ButI’mreallygoodwithvisionandmotivationand
keepingpeopleontask.Isortofloseitinthebiggerpicture.Weworkreallywelltogether,andI’venever
been...he’snevertreatedmeaslessthanbecauseI’mawoman,andthat’sabigdeal.Heknowshecan
trustmewhenIsayaprojectisgoodforthemarket.AndIcantrusthimtosellit.”

“That’sgreat.No,andI’msorryifIcameofflikeadick.”Raulstretchedouthishand,likesomesort

ofpeaceoffering.Sheputherpalminhisandhesqueezed.

Bestillmybeatingheart.
Theflutteringinherstomachwas...shemightbesick.Whatdidshesaytothat?
“Well,nowthatwehavethatoutoftheway—kittens?”Shepulledherhandoutofhisandwavedat

thecathide.

“Theylookgood.Healthy.Andmamaseemstoknowwhatshe’sdoing.I’drecommendspayingherin

afewmonths.She’salittletoooldtobehavingbabies.”

“Yeah,I’dsay.”
“Okay,Ihavetoask.”Thewayhegrinnedwaspuretrouble.“WhoseideawasD7?”

“Youdidn’tlikeit.”Herstarewasflat.
“No,itwasjustdifferent.Iwascurious...didthesameteamcomeupwiththatwhoworkedonthe

othergames?”

“Yesandno.”Sheshifted,sittingcrosslegged.“ThesameteamhasworkedoneveryDrudgegame

withafewexceptions.D7startedoutasagameideatwoofmydesignerscametomewith.Thegirls
wantedtodoasmallrungamewithafemalecastsetinthatuniverse,butdifferent.Exploremoreof
what’soutthere.Isaid—let’smakeitanalternaterealityDrudgegamewiththebrothersassisters—and
weranwithit.Thehatehasbeen...Itsucks.”

“Ilikewherethestorylinewent.IthoughtthatalternaterealitywhereSammydidn’tdiewascool,

sinceitwassopivotalinD2.”

“Right?KillingSammywashardbecausehewassuchafanfavoritefromtheoriginalgameandbythe

timeweknewthat...hewasalreadyscriptedtodie,sonotdoingitandswappinghimforadifferent
character—oradifferentbrother—wouldhavebeenacopout.Plus,Ithinkdoingthisgameattheseventh
mark,sincetherearesevenlivingbrothers,wasreallycool.”

“Sisters.”Raulgrinned.“Whocameupwiththefirstgameconcept?”
“Thatwasmostlyme,thenIturnedmyteamloseonthemanditbecameagroupcollaboration.We

wenttrope-heavyatfirst,andletthingsprogressnaturally.”

“I’vealwayslovedhowdifferenttheyallare.Andcomeon—Balyawasmyfavorite.He’spretty

badass.”

“Youthinkso?”Mirandacouldn’thelpgrinningback.This—thiswaswhatsheloved.Fanfeedback

frompeoplewhogotit.Whoreallygotit.

“Yeah.”
“Wewantedsomethingthatwasmoreinclusive,sohearingthatyoulikeBalis—it’sgreat.Theidea

thatinthispost-apocworldfamilyismorewho-you-pickwasabigthingforus.Weallwantedtoplaythe
gameassomeonewhorepresentedus.”

“Yeah—Ireadthatsomewhere.Ican’tbelieveIneverknewaboutyou,though.Whydon’tIhearmore

aboutyou?”

“Because...I’mawoman.”Sheshrugged.“Imightbethecaptainsteeringthisship,butit’sasmarter

choicetoputaman’sfaceonthings.It’ssomethingCliffandIhavediscussedalot.Ireallyluckedintoa
greatpartnershipwithhim.”

Raulstaredatherforamoment,andGodshewantedtokisshim.Hisconfusionwaseverythingthat

madeherheartbestfast.

“Well,”hefinallysaid,“Ithinkit’sawesomeyouwereabletodosomethingyou’repassionateabout

andsucceed.”

“I’vebeenreallyluckytohaveateamofpeoplewhosupportmeandmyvision.”
“Iimaginethat’shuge.”Hiswordsweresincere,butsheheardthewaver.
“Itis.Butit’snotallperfect.”Shescootedalittlecloserandpulledoutherphone.“Thisismyfamily.

Mom.Dad.Brother.Andmyyoungersister.I’mprettysuretheonlypeopleinmyfamilywhoareproudof
mearemydadandbrother.MymotherandsisterwanttoknowwhenI’mgoingtosettledown.Havea
family.Getonwiththereallyimportantstuffinlife.So,though,mydadwasallformestartingCat’s
Cradleintheirgarageandevengotacoupleofhisfriendstoinvest,hejustnodsandgruntswhenmom
goestohimforback-up.”

“Thatsucks.”
“Yeah,itdoes,butIremindmyselfthatmymomandIhavedifferentlifegoals.Ihavezerodoubtthat

shelovesme.Shehasdevotedherlifetousandhergrandkids.”

“Theylivearoundhere?”

“Kindof.ThiswasthehouseIgrewupin.Iboughtanewbuildwestofhere,thentradedwithmy

parents.They’reaboutthirtyminutesaway,whichisagooddistanceforus,Ithink.”

“You—gaveyourparentsyourhouse?”
“It’scomplicated...”Sheglancedaway,notreadytodiscusstheseriesofweirdbreak-inswithhim.

Withherluck,he’dcallherparanoidandcrazy,too.“Wantsomeicecream?”

“Uh,sure?”
Shebouncedoffthesofa,fullyawareshewasrunningfromthatlineofconversation.
Raulfollowedherintothekitchenandstoodbysilentlywhilesheproducedthreeoptions.Whenshe

finallyfacedhim,hewasstillgivingherthedark,broodingstarefullofquestions.

“Pickyourpoison.”Shegesturedtotheoptions.
“Howaboutyoupickforme?”
“Hm.”Shelethergazetravelfromhisstill-tussledhair,overhischest,thankfultothethreadbaregods

thathisshirtmoldedtoeveryridgeofmuscle,downtohistrimwaistandjeans.

Mirandapulledaspoonoutofthedrawerandpriedthelidoffherfavorite.Shedugoutanicesized

biteandofferedhimtheconcoction.

“Whatisit?”Heeyedthequestionablecolor.Shecouldn’tblamehim,theoff-whiteicecreamhad

flecksofbrown,whichwerelumpsofwhiteandchocolatebitsallinit.

“Tryit.”Shethrustthehandleathim.
Raulbentandwrappedhislipsaroundtheofferedtreat,suckingitoff.Hermouthwentalittledry,

watchingthoselipsofhisworkthefrozenstuffoffthespoon.Hisbrowsdrewdownandhisjawworked,
hisexpressionbothcomicalandadorable.Sortoflikeapuppyexperiencingsnowforthefirsttime.

“Vanillabean,cinnamon,honeyandwhitechocolateicecream.”Sheduginabitforherselftokeep

fromstaringathistongue,alltooawareofwherehermindwasheaded.

“Ineedmoreofthat.”Raulcrowdedinnexttoherandtookthespoonfromherhands.
“It’sgood,isn’tit?”Shewatchedhimdiginforanotherbite.
“Mylifehasbeenmissingthisstuff.Here.”Heheldthespoonforher.
Sheleanedinandtookthebite.
“Up,missedalittle.”Heswipedatthecornerofhermouth,bothcapturingthemissedbitoficecream

andsmearingsomeonher.“Crap,sorry.”

Helickedhisfingerandgrabbedanapkin.
“It’sokay.”Shechuckled,buthewasalreadythere,closeenoughherarmbrushedagainsthisstomach

whileheswipedathercheek.

Hebumpedherchinwithhisfingers,takingfarmorecarethanwasnecessary.Hisgazesnaggedon

hersandforseveralsecondsMirandacouldn’tbreathe.

Thespoonclinkedonthemarblecountertopandherheartratespedup.
Oh,God.
Raulwasgoingtokissher.Sheknewthatlook.Wasprettysureherpantiesweremysteriously,

somehowonthefloorasaresultofthatlook.Andshecouldhardlybreathe.

Hisfingersonherchinshifted,tippingherheadbackandheleanedin.
Sheswallowed,hyperawareofeverything—hercrazyhair,thewayhernippleschaffedagainsther

bra,theheatofhistouch,hisnearness.

Raul’slipsbrushedhersinatantalizingwhisperofakiss.Sheheldontothecounterwithonehandto

makesureshedidn’tfallonherface.Herothertraitoroushandfounditswaytohissideandtangledinthe
softfabricofhisshirt.Hepushedhisotherhandintoherhairandsethismouthfirmlyagainsthers.She
wasprettysureshewhimperedathistouch,hisutterlackofhesitance.

Raulneededtostop.Heshouldn’tbekissingher.Buthertaste.Thathelplesslittlesoundshemade.

Hesuckledherlowerlip,theonethat’dtauntedhimsinceyesterday,andpivotedheruntilMiranda’sback

wastotheisland,hishipspressedtohers,holdingherrightthere.

Shetastedoficecreamandthelingeringspicesfromdinner.Hiscurry.Thegarlic-heavydishshe’d

eaten.Herhandswrappedaroundhiswaist,holdingontohim.

Hertongueswipedacrosshislips,shockingthehelloutofhim.Hershort,springycurlstickledhis

fingers.Onceagain,hertongueteasedhim,dartingintohismouth,strokinghimthesamewayhewantedto
strokeotherpartsofher.

Raul’sresolvetobackupandgiveherspacequicklyerodedintonothing.Heslidthehandatherchin

downtoherhip,splayinghishandoverherlusciouscurves.Ifhe’dthoughtshewascutebeforecoming
over,shewasdamnirresistiblenow.Smart.Sexy.Compassionate.Thatass.Itwaslikelookingatacheck
listbroughttolifeinoneperson,onlyshewasbetterthanalist.

Hebentandpickedherup,settingheronthekitchencounter.Nowhermouthwastheperfectheight.

Herarmstwinedaroundhisneck,pullinghimincloser.Hestrokedinsideofhermouth,deepeningthe
kiss,hungrytohearthatarousedmoanagain.

Shearchedherback,herchestpressedagainsthim.Hetuggedatthezipperonhertrackjacketuntilit

separated.Sheshruggedoutofit,leavingherinthetank-topandyogapants.Preciouslittlebetweenthem.

Thiswasgoingtoofast.He’donlymeanttokissher,butnowhecouldn’tstop.Didn’twantto.
Mirandaturnedherfaceaway,gaspingforbreath,hernailsdiggingintohisskin,pullinghimcloser.
Raulkissedherneckandheardherbreathcatch.
Damn,buthewantedher.Hertaste,hersmell,heneededtogetcloser,drinkherin.Itwasn’tentirely

rational,hedidn’tmakeahabitofmaulingprettyladies,thiswasafirstforsure.Andsheseemedtofeel
it,too.

Heslidhishandupfromherwaisttoherribs,justbelowherbreast.
Therationalsideofhisbrainwascompletelymuted.
Hegrippedherasswithhisotherhandandreturnedtohermouth,rockingintoher.
Shewhimpered,thesounddeepinherthroat.Needy.Wanting.
Heleanedback,soakinginthesightofher,cheeksflushed,lipsdamp,eyesalittleunfocused.Itwas

hotashell—andunaskedfor.

Shit.
Akisswasonething,butthis?Thiswasn’tokay.Hewasastrangerinherhome,andthiswasnothow

heshouldbehave.Itwaswrong,andsoveryovertheline.

“I’msorry.”Raulsteppedback.He’dcomeovertoseethekittens,maybegettoknowheralittle

better.Not—this.“I—didn’t—I’msorry.”

“What?”Mirandablinkedathim.
“I’msorry.”
Hehadtogetout.Now.
Raulturnedandwasoutofthefrontdoorbeforehecouldreallyprocesswhattodowithhisfeet.He

movedonauto-pilot,gettingintohisJeep,startingtheengine,anddrivingaway.Thewheredidn’tmatter,
solongashegotthehelloutofthere.

4.

Mirandatappedherfingersonthedesk,glaringatherphone.Frustrationandmewlingkittenshadkepther
up most of the night. There was something about needy kittens crying for mom that made a vibrator
powerless,despiteherattemptsatfindingsomekindofsatisfaction.Shepickedupherphoneandhitthe
powerbutton.Nineunreademails—andnonewtexts.

Shedroppedthephonebackontothedeskandshovedherhandsthroughherhair.
Theblinkingchaticononherdesktopcaughtherattention.Shemaximizedthescreen.
Rashae:Morning.
Rashae:Anything?
Miranda:Nothing.
Rashae:K,didyouevercallhim?Text?Smokesignal?
Miranda:No.
Rashae:-.-
Piper:o.o
Rashae:Stilluporwakingup?
Piper:Still.
Rashae:Drinksomecoffeeorgotobed.
Piper:Can’t!Datetonight.
Miranda:ShouldItexthim?Imean,hejustranoutlastnight.
Rashae:Ifyouwantanswers—callhim.Showupathisworkplace.
Rashae:Yougoingtoworktoday?
Miranda:Workingfromhome.
Miranda:aka,hardlyworking
Rashae:Ineedtoshower.IhavethatSkypemeetingtodayfortheboardgameandSam’sfinallyoutof

thebathroom.Lemmeknowwhathappens!

Mirandatwistedhernecklacearoundherfingerandclickedthroughherworkemail.Shewasgoingto

missthestrategymeeting,buttheteamwasdoingwell.Theydidn’tneedherforthat,butshehatednot
beingpresent,atleastinmind.

Whywasshelettingaguyshe’dknownforlessthantwenty-fourhourstieherinknots?Afterone

kiss?Okay,itwasmorethanone,technicallyspeaking,butonemake-outsessionshouldnothavelefther
brainsoveryscrambled.Thenagain,withtheyearshe’dhad,maybethiswasablessingindisguise.She
wasfocusedonaliving,breathingpersoninsteadofastalkerthatmightjustbefigmentofherimagination.
Besides,Raul’sbagwasstillhere,aswerethemultiplecansofpetformulaandwhateverelsehe’d
bought.

Shewasdoingitagain.
Knowingshewasdoingitdidn’thelp.
Mirandatookadeepbreathandleanedbackinherchair,runningthroughthelistofmistakesshe’d

made.Mostofthemweremen.Niceguysforthemostpart,buttheyallwantedsomethingfromher.
Maybeithadn’tstartedthatway,butintheendthatwashowitendedup.Shefellforguyswithneedsshe
couldmeetwiththerightamountofmoney,andtheyjustkepttakinguntilshewastheonlyoneinlove.

Thestalkermesshadbrokenherunendingcycleofdisastrousrelationships,butshewaspickingitup
again.Withoutskippingabeat.

Raulwasgorgeous,hetuggedalltherightheartstrings,andheneededfunding.Hergutsaidhewasa

goodguy,notherstalker,maybealittlerougharoundtheedges,butagoodguynonetheless.

Shesnaggedanotepadanddoodledcirclesinsideofcircles.
Attheveryleast,shewantedananswerforhissuddenstage-leftexit,andtoreturnhisstuff.
Thetimerwentoff,andshelurchedtoherfeet.Allherresearchhadindicatedkittensneededtofeed

everycoupleofhoursinthebeginningandsincetheruntshowedneithertheenergytofeedonhisownand
Lolawasn’tyetencouragingthekittentojoinwithhissiblings,thatmeantMirandawaspullingmomduty.

Shepreppedthebottlethewayshe’dseenRauldoitthenightbefore,thensetuponthesofatofeed

RuntyMcRunt-Pants.Thekittenhadalreadyfiguredoutthedrill,andbythetimeshehadhimdrapedover
herthigh,hislittleheadwasswingingthiswayandthat,searchingforhisnextmeal.

Warm,gooey,happinessoozedthroughherasshewatchedthekitteneagerlysuckleatthebottle.She

wasgladLolahadtheothersixundercontrolbecauseMirandacouldn’timaginebottlefeedinganentire
litter.Onewasmorethanenoughforher.

Shegotthekittencleanedupandbythetimeshewasreadytoputhimbackwithhissiblings,thekitten

hadcurledupagainsthershoulder,itslittlescrunchedupfaceburiedinitspaws.

Mirandadugherphoneoutofherpocketandsnappedyetanotherpicture.Thewayshewasgoing,her

phone’smemorywouldbefullbytomorrow.Whatever.Itwasherone,andhopefullyonly,litter.

Thepicturewasoneofthecuteronesshe’dtaken.Thekittenwasfullyfeatured,partofherplum-

coloredhoodiefoldedoverhimlikeablanket.Herlipswereinthebackground,anunintentionalpartof
thephotograph...butkindofflirty.

ShehitthetexticonandpluggedinRaul’scontactbeforeshecouldthinkbetterofit,andoffthetext

went.

“Okay,Runty,youneedtogobacktoMom.”Mirandagotthekittenresituatedandwasrelievedwhen

Lolaacceptedhimwithexcessivemotherlygrooming.Thatwaspromising,right?

Beep.
Thephonechimemadeherspinestraightenandthehaironthebackofherneckriseinawaythathad

nothingtodowithfear.Sheheldherbreathasshecrossedtothecounterandclickedthetexticon.

He’dmessagedherback.Finally.
Isheeatingonhisownyet?
Really?
Shesighed.
Whathadsheexpected?Hewasavet.Ofcoursehisfirstquestionwouldbeaboutthekitten.
Yup.Everytwohourslikeclockwork.
Shebitherlipandwaited.Raul’sreplywasalmostinstantaneous.
Canyoutalk?
Herstomachdidalittleflip-flop.Buthemightnotevenwanttotalkaboutlastnight.Hemightbe

driving,orwanttoknowmoreaboutthekittens,or...She’dneverknowifshedidn’ttalktohim.

Mirandainhaledadeepbreathandhitdial.
“Hey.”Raul’svoicewassleep-rough,gravelly.Shecouldpicturehimscrubbingahandacrosshis

jaw,hishairallmessy.

“Morning.”
“You’reamorningperson,aren’tyou?”
“No.”Shechuckledandpouredherselfacupoftea.“I’vejustbeenupforawhile.”
“It’sbarelyeight.”
“AndIusuallystartworkatseven.”

“Thatexhaustsme.There’sareasonItakethelatershiftsattheclinic.”
“Ihateit,too,butIworkbetterearlier,soIdowhatIhavetodo.”Sheglancedatthebagsstillsitting

onhercounter.

“Hey,aboutlastnight...”
“Yeah,whathappened?”Shetappedherspoononthecounterinlieuofhernails.
“I...”Heblewoutabreath,rustlingoverthephone.“Yougotaminutetotalk?Or—”
“I’mtheboss,remember?Igettomakemyownschedule.”
“Right.”Hepausedandshecouldhearwhatsoundedlikeamattresssqueaking.Washecallingher

frombed?“Ishouldn’thavewalkedoutlikethat,andIreallyshouldnothave...Idon’tknow,kissedyou
likethatwithoutsomesortofokay.”

Mirandafrowned,notfollowinghisreasoningwhatsoever.
“You’re...Letmegetthisstraight.Youwhat?Wantedpermissiontokissme?”She’dneverheardof

anyonepausingmid-momenttoaskthatsortofthing.

“Sortof.Iguess.Iwasastrangeguy,inyourhome.”
“Yeah,butIalsoinvitedyouover.It’snotlikeyoubrokeinandmadeoutwithme.Let’sbeclearhere,

anattractivemancomesovertomyhouse,I’mwellawareofwhatcouldhappen,andI’mfullycapableof
sayingno.”Again,justbecauseshewasawomandidn’tmeanshewasn’tcapableofthinkingforherself.
Andbesides,forthefirsttimeinages,she’dfeltliketheMirandasheusedtobe.Withoutfear.

“Iknowthat.Please—I’mnotexplainingmyselfverywell.Shit.Okay,I’mjustgoingtosaythisandI

knowit’llprobablysoundweird.Ihave—had—ayoungersister.Shewenttostaywithourmother’s
relativesinDelhiaroundthetimetherewerealotof...itwasn’tagoodtimetobeasingle,youngwoman
inIndia.She—disappeared.AndIcan’thelpbutimaginewhathappenedtoher—whereshemightbe—
anditmakesme...Idon’tknow...”

“Oh,Raul,I...I’msosorry.”Sheperchedonastool.Imaginingheryoungersisterjust—gone...she

couldn’teven.Hedidn’thavetopaintinwhatcouldhavehappenedtoher.That—shegot.It’dbeenhard
enoughtodealwithtwoofMiranda’semployeesgettingkidnapped.Ifit’dbeenhersister?Noway.“You
don’tknowanything?”

“No.”
“Nothing?Noonedoes?”
“TheAmericanEmbassylooked,thepolicesaidtheylooked,butshe’sjust...gone.And...”
“Igetit.Youdon’thavetoexplain.That’sawful.”
Shit.
Thelookofhorroronhisfacelastnightmadetotalsensenow.Whatkindofhellhadhelivedthrough?

Hadhissisterexperienced?Notknowing...

“Forwhatit’sworth,Iwasfinewitheverything.”Heatcrawledupherneckandsheswallowed.If

shehadtobepainfullyclearaboutthelineofconsentshecouldbe.

“Good.I’mglad.Shit.Isoundreallystupid.Ishouldhavehadcoffeebeforecallingyou.”
“Icalledyou,remember?”
“Barely.”
Theybothchuckled.Apleasantwarmthspreadthroughherbody.Shewiggledhertoesagainstthe

hardwood.

“Yourstuffisstillhere...”Shebitherlip.
“Yeah,IrememberedthatwhenIwasalmosthome.Ishouldhavecalledyoulastnight.Ijust...”
“Hey,IsaidIgetit.Nomoreexplanations,okay?”
“Iwanttomakeituptoyou.”
“I’mfinewiththat.”Especiallysinceshehadagoodfeelingthatmakingituptohermightinvolvea

littlemakingout.

“How’sLoladoing?”
“Good.”
“Itakeitthekitteniseating?”
“Likeachamp.”
“Good.Good.Ineedtogetmovingbut...”
“I’vegotaconferencecallstartinginlike,threeminutes,sohowaboutyoutextmewhenyou’refree

andwefigureitoutfromthere?”Shewasassertingherself,anditfeltgood.Herrelationshipsoutsidethe
officehadtakenaserioushitwhenherparanoiahitnewlevels.This,betweenthem,wasnormal.Likeold
her.

“Perfect.Ilookforwardtomakingamends.”
“Ilookforwardtobeing...amended...that’snotright.”Shechuckledandshuffledbacktohercomputer.

“Shoot.They’recallingmeinearly.Gottago!”

Frankrolledoveranddidthefirstthinghedidanymorning,hecheckedonMiranda’swhereabouts.

Satisfiedshewasathome,hesettledintohisroutine.

Shower.
Coffee.
Breakfast.
Email.
HewaspleasantlysurprisedtofindhisregularFridayupdateinhisinboxadayearly.HandingthePI

hisassseemedtohavedonethetrick.Themanwasbeingmoreforthcomingthanusual.

Asabonus,today’supdateincludedpictures.
Frankhitprintwithoutlookingatthem.Somethingsneededtobeappreciatedinfullgloss.
HepickedupthesixorsoimagesfromtheprinteronhiswayouttothepatiotosurveytheSeattlefog

clingingtightlytodowntown.

Thefirstimagenearlytookhisbreathaway.
Mirandahadalwaysbeenalovelygirl,butshe’dblossomedintoanevenmoreremarkablewoman.

ThePIhadcapturedherinmotion,glancingup,lipspaintedred,herhairahaloofcurls.Theblacktrench
coatwasagoodlook.Amodernpinup.Hepreferredherhairlong,butfornow,theshorterstylewould
do.She’dneedtobegingrowingitoutagain,though.Hewanteditdowntohershouldersbythetimethey
weretogether.

Therestoftheimagesweremoreorlessaverage,butthatfirstone...ittookhisbreathaway.
RaulpulledhisJeepupbehindMiranda’shouse.Hewaseasilytwiceasanxiousabouttonightafter

makinganutterfoolofhimself.Thentherewerethetexts.AfterhewokeuptothepictureofMiranda’s
lips,she’dsteadilysuppliedhimwithevenmoreenticingimagesthroughouttheday.

Oh,theywereallundertheguiseofkeepinghimappraisedofthekittens,butwhenshehadthreeof

themcrawlingalloverherchestitwashardtonotfindhimselfstaring...

Hesnaggedtheflowersinthepassengerseatandboundedupthestairstoherbackdoor.Shestoodat

thekitchencounter,wherehe’dleftherlastnight,onlynowshewaspeeringintopizzaboxes.

Inhaling,hepushedthedooropenandsteppedin,wipinghisdampfeetonthemat.
“Ohmygosh.”Shelaidherhandagainstherchest.“Nexttime—knockonceatleast?Ijustgothome.”
“Sorry.”Hecrossedthekitchenandsettheflowersdownonthecountertop.
“Thosearepretty.”
“Prettyflowersforaprettylady.”
Mirandawatchedhim,onesideofhermouthhitchedupinaknowingsmile.Wassheawareofhow

badlyshe’dteasedhimallday?

Hecircledtheislanduntiltheywerebackwherethey’dleftoff.Heragainstthecounter,theirbodies

inchesapart.

“IsthiswhereI’msupposedtotellyouit’sokaytokissme?”Shetippedherchinup.
“Youalreadytoldmethat.”
“Idid?”
“Youdid.”Hepushedhisfingersthroughhercurls,watchingthewaytheysprangbackintoplace.Her

lidslowered,andinamatterofsecondstheonlythinghewashungryforwasher.“Doyouwanttoeat
first?”

“Nope.”Shewrappedherhandaroundthebackofhisneck,pullinghimdown.
Hewrappedhisarmaroundherwaist,haulingherupagainsthimanddughisotherhandfurtherinto

herhair.Herlipsworkedintimewithhis.Theirtonguestangled,shebithislip,andhetuggedherhair.In
aninstanttheywererightbacktowherethey’dbeenlastnight,ameresecondfromstrippingeachother
naked.Itwasafrenzied,passionatemomentthatthreatenedtoburnthemup.

Raulliftedherandherlegswrappedaroundhiswaist.Sheyelpedintohismouth,herhandsclawing

athisshoulders.

“Putmedown!”Hereyesopenedwide.
“Nope.”
“Raul—I’mheavy.Putmedown.”Shewiggledandshimmied,buthewasusedtoman-handlingmuch

biggercreatureswithmoredeterminationtobeground-boundthanher.

Heturnedandputherbackagainstthefridge,pinninghertherewithhiships.Hekissedthecornerof

hermouthandsqueezedherasswithbothhands.

“IthinkI’llkeepyouright—here.”Heflexedhiships,grindingagainsther.
Hereyesnearlyrolledbackintoherhead,andshemoaned.Hekisseddownhernecktotheedgeof

hertanktop.Hehookedhisfingerunderthematerialandpulleditdown.

Justashesuspected.
Nofuckingbra.
He’dbeenprettypositiveafteranhourofstaringatthedamnpicture,buthehadtobecertain.
“Raul...”Hervoicewaslacedwithfrustration,desire,allthenoteshithomeforhim.
“What?”Hekissedthespotbehindherearandsheshudderedinhishold.
“Just...I’mnot...I...”
“Hmm?”
“Oh!”
Heswallowedhernextcrywithhismouth,sealinghislipsoverhers,nippingtheswollenbitofflesh

she’dworriedwithherteeth.Flexinghiships,hegroundagainsther,theclothesbetweenthemwereboth
frustratingandcompletelyhot.Hecouldfeelherwarmth,thewayherbodytrembled.Wasshewet?Did
shewanthimasmuchashewantedher?

He’donlymeanttokissher,buteverydamntimetheytoucheditwaslikeanexplosiongoingoff

insideofhim.Hisbetterjudgmentflewoutthewindowandhejust—wanted.Her.This.Whateverthe
hungerwasburninghimupfromtheinside.

Raulgrippedherwithbothhandsandhauledheruphigher,freeinghishandstotouch.Totease.
Shebegantoshiftwithhim,herhipsundulating.Hewedgedahandbetweenthem,cuppinghermound.

Herfingerstwinedthroughhishair,yankinghimcloser.Hepalmedherbreast,thetightbeadofhernipple
easytofindthroughthefabric.Hewantedhertofeel,ashedid,thisinebriatingsenseofdesire.Touching
her,kissingher,itmadehimforgethimself.Shebecamethecenterofhisworld.Hewantedtowrap
himselfaroundheruntiltheymeldedintoonebeing.Itwasmoreintoxicatingthananythinghe’dever
experiencedbefore.

“Raul.”Hisnamewasfullofneedandfrustration.
Yes!
Evenifsheonlyfeltafractionofwhathedid,theyearning—itwouldbeenough.

Heslippedhishandunderthestretchyfabricofheryogapants,holdinghisbreath.Shecouldstilltell

himtostop,thatthiswastoofar.Instead,shewhimperedandliftedherhips.

Nopanties.
Even.Better.
Heshiftedhisbody,cuppinghermound,nothingbetweenthem.Shetossedherheadbackagainstthe

fridge,gaspingforbreath.

“Fuck,”hemutteredagainstherchest.
Hisfingersslidbetweenherfoldsanddeepwithinherwithoutanysortofresistance.Shewaswet.

Soaking.

“Oh—ohmyGod—Raul.”Hervoicetaperedofftoawhisper.
Hepumpedhisfingersinandout,flickinghisthumbovertheerectnub.Eachtimeherbodyshuddered

andherlegstightenedaroundhim.Shesqueezedhereyesshut,helplesswhimperstricklingoutofher.

“You’resofuckinghot,”hewhisperedintoherhair.
Tomorrowhewasgoingtohavezipperindentationsonhisdick,butitwouldbesoworthit.
Hernailsdugintohisshoulderandscalp.Sheinhaledandherheelsdroveintohisass,shovinghis

fingersdeepwithinher.Hemassagedherclit,keepingthepressureon,andwatchedherface.Hewas
captivatedbytheflexofherthroat,herglisteninglips,thewayhereyesweredilatedinpleasure.Hefelt
herorgasm,therigidityofherbody,thewayshetensedattheheightofclimax.Shecameapartinhis
arms,grantinghimafrontrowseattothemostbeautifuldisplayhe’dseensince—ever.

Sheslowly,wondrouslyrelaxed,meltingintohim,goingsoft.
Mirandablinkedseveraltimes,suckingindeepbreaths.
Heleanedinandkissedhercheek.
Sheturnedherhead,herlipsbrushingagainsthis.
“Willyouputmedownnow?”sheasked.
“Canyoustand?”
“Probablynot.Isthereiceonthefloor?”Shepeereddownatthefloor,whereseveralcubesoficelay

scatteredunderher.

“Oops.”
Raulgentlypulledhishandoutofherpants.Sheinhaledsharplyandfistedhisshirt,hereyesgoing

distantforamoment.

Partofhimlovedthatreaction.Theotherpartofhimwantedmore.
Hecuppedherassinbothhandsandliftedherawayfromthefridge.Yup.He’dhadherassagainstthe

icemachinebutton.

“Whereareyoutakingmenow?”Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneckandwhispered,“Bedroom’s

thatway.”

Hisvisionblurredalittle.
Raulclearedhisthroat.“Iwasgoingto—”
“Bed.”
Shenippedhislowerlip,bitinghardenoughitalmosthurt.
Heswallowed.
“Yousure?”Hehadtoaskonemoretime.Justtomakecertain.
“Yes.”Heranswerheldnohesitation.
Healmostranintothedarkenedbedroom.Hisshinsfoundtheedgeofthemattressandhepitched

forward,intoblackness,landingontopofMiranda.Shechuckledandherholdaroundhimtightened,
drawinghimdownfartherintothebed.Hefoundhermouthinthedarkness.Theirhandstangled,each
tryingtogettheother’sshirtofffirst.

Shewonthatbattle.Hesatuplongenoughtotossitoff.Herhandswrappedaroundhisbelt,

unbucklingitandpullinghimfartherupherbody.

“Ishouldprobablywarnyouorsomething.I’mreallyhorny.”Hervoiceinthedarkpaintedapicture

ofherface.Drawn,needy,determined.

“Thatmakestwoofus.”Hepushedherhandsasideandslidhisupunderhershirtuntilhecovered

bothbreastswithhispalms.

Shearchedupintohistouch.
Damnit.Hewanted—needed—toseeher.
Therewerelamps,weren’tthere?He’donlybeeninthebedroombrieflyduringtheirsearchforLola.

Washerememberingthelampsright?

Heletgo,reachingblindlythroughthedarknessuntilhefoundthelampshadeandthenthebutton.

Mirandablinkedathiminthedimlight.

Herduskybrownnipplesbeckonedhimbacktoher.
Raulslidonearmaroundherwaistandhauledheruptothemiddleofthebed.
Mirandayelped.
“Areyouokay?”Hefroze.
“I’msonotusedtobeingmanhandled.”Shegrinned.
He’dtakethatasagoodthing.
“Ihaven’tevenstartedhandlingyouyet.”Hecoveredonebreastwithhishandandleanedoverher.
Miranda’sdarkbrowngazedancedwithlightandmischiefintheirdepths.
Herhandsgraspedathisjeans,thetab.Hegroanedasherhandwiggledpasthisunderwear.He

rockedhiships,thrustingintoherhand.Hereyeswidenedandhercheekssankin.

Theyneededtogetnaked.Now.
Hegraspedthewaistbandofheryogapantsandpulledback,drawingthestretchyfabricdownher

legsashestood.Shelaythere,onekneebent,amodestmovementtoshieldherselffromview.Teasing
himwithwhathe’dfelt,butnotseen.

Raultoedoutofhisbootsandpushedhisjeansdown.Hehadenoughpresenceofmindtotosshis

walletontothebed.Shewatchedhiseverymove,hereyesgrowinglargerandlarger.

Hegraspedherknee,pushingherlegsopen.Shecoveredherselfwithahand,asthoughhecouldtouch

—butnotlook.Hegentlypushedherhandoutoftheway.

“YouknowwhatthreethingsIwant?”Itwasastraintospeak,buthegotthewordsout.
Mirandacontinuedtostareathim.
“Totouchyou.”
Heslidhisindexfingerthroughherslit,whichwasstilldampfromherorgasm.
“Iwanttotasteyouandbeinsideofyou.That’swhatI’vebeenthinkingofalldaylong.”
Mirandawhimpered.
Raulbent,spreadheropenandlickedher.Themuskysentofherfilledhisnostrils,thetasteofher

creamhitthebackofhisthroat.Itwasheavenandambrosia.

Herhipscameupoffthebedandherkneesclosedaroundhisshoulders.Herheadturnedaway,eyes

closed.Whathewouldn’tgivetodrawthisoutlonger,butifhewasn’tinhersoon,he’dcomelikeakid.

Hegropedblindlyforthewallet.Itwasn’tnormalforhimtocarryprotection,butafterthismorning

he’dfiguredpreparedwasbetterthansorry.Thecondomslidouteasily,thewrappertearingwithaflick
ofhiswrist.

Mirandapeakedupathim,herlippinchedbetweenherteeth.Shewatchedhimrollthelatexon,her

browsliftingslightly.

Raulbent,pressingakisstohermoundandstomach,anevilideaticklingthebackofhismind.He

graspedherhips,theirgazeslocking.Herlipsparted.Herolledheroveruntilthebunchedupcomforter

wasunderherhips.Beforeshecouldpressherthighstogetherheslidonekneebetweenthem,forcingher
legsopenwider.

Sheshiftedbelowhim,drawingherarmsin,turningherhead,watchinghimoutofthecornerofher

eye.Herasslifted,brushingagainsthiserection.

Damn,butshewasbeautiful.
Hebent,kissingherlowerback,thenfartherupherspine.
“Thisokay?”hewhisperedintoherear.Sinceshedidn’tseemthevocal-in-bedtypeheadded,“Just

nodorshakeyourhead.”

Herheadnoddedsohardhercurlsbounced.
Wellthatwasanemphaticyes,ifheeversawone.
Hepushedup,graspinghiserectionwithonehandandpalmingthecurveofherasswiththeother.He

foundhervaginawithhisfingersandnotchedtheheadofhiscockagainsther.

Shit.
Hisvisionblurredabitashesankintoher.Sheliftedherass,urginghimdeeper.
“Ohshit.”Hedroppedhisheadtohershoulders,kissingher.“Youfeelsogood.”
Heransweringwhimperspurredhimon.
Deeperanddeeperhethrustintoher,untilhefelthisballshithermound.Hecouldseehertoescurl,

thewayshekickedherfootupandhowherhandfistedthesheets.Hewantedthistobegoodforher,as
goodasitwasforhim.

Hereachedaround,slidinghishandbetweenherandthecomforter.Hisfingerstangledwithhers.
Fuck,shewastouchingherselfrightnow.
Heleanedoverher,thrustingharder,themattressspringsgroaning.
“Showmehowyoulikeit,”hewhispered.
Shehadherfaceburiedintheblanket,hiddenfromhim.Forasecondshedidn’tmove.Thenherwrist

curved,slidingherfingersaroundtheirjoinedflesh,gatheringthemoistureanddrawingitforward,over
herclit.

“Keepdoingthat,”hesaidintoherear.
Hebroughthishandup,cuppingherbreast.Herhandcontinuedtoslidearoundthem,intenton

pleasure.Hethrust,theirbodiesfittingtogether,andshestroked.Herpanting,thehelplesssoundsof
pleasure,roseinpitch.

“Youaresofuckinghot.Fuck.Yourpussyfeelssodamngood.”Heletgoofhiscontrol,drivinginto

herharder,losinghimselfinhertouchandthewayshesharedherselfwithhim,theintimacyofit.

Herlegskickedup,toescurled,hipsarched,spinecurved.Herinternalmusclestightened,drawing

himin,deeper.Hegroaned,caughtunawarebyherorgasm.

Raulsqueezedhiseyesshut,thrustingintoherhot,slickpussy.Herfingerscaressedhisshaft,her

bodyurginghimon.

He shouted, plunging deep into her, pinning her to the bed as pleasure rippled through his body,

robbinghimofallcoherentthought.Everythingexcept—fuck,hewantedtodothatagain.Andagain.As
manytimesasshe’dlethim.

5.

Mirandalayonherback,theceilinghardlyinfocus.Hermuscles—herbones—wereliquid.

Hadthatjusthappened?Again?Well...shecouldn’texactlycountrightnow.She’dlosttrackafterfour.
Tamarawastotallynotfullofshit.
Mirandahadn’tbelievedherwhenshe’dsaidthefemalebodywascapableofmorethantwo

subsequentorgasms.Itjusthadn’tseemedpossible.Man,ohman,hadRaulprovenherwrong.Shedidn’t
wanttomoveforaweek,orevenwigglehertoes.

“Youokay?Needsomewater?”Raulbouncedoutofbed,barelywindedandgrinning.
“Howareyoustillbreathing?”Shestoleaquickglancebelowtheborder.
Shewashalf-relievedhewasn’thard.Again.Herbodycouldn’ttakeanotherroundrightnow.
Raulmerelychuckledandcrawledacrossthebedtowardher.Hekissedhergently,theskinaround

hiseyescrinkling.Hisgoofysmileandhisenergy,theywereinfectious.Hemadeherfeellikeagiddy
girl.

“Hungry?”heasked.
“Isthatatrickquestion?”
Hetossedhisheadbackandlaughed.“No.”
“Then,yes.Feedme.”Shetuckedthecomforterupunderherchin.Eventually,she’dneedtodo

necessarythingsbutrightnowshejustwantedtolayhere.

Raulstrollednakedintoherbathroom.Hewasutterlyatease.Therewasnopost-sexawkwardness.

Noshyness.Hejust...belonged.Usually,ittookafewdaysafterintimacyforhertoevenworkupthe
nervetolookatherpartner.Doingitagainafewtimesafterthefirstroundprobablynullifiedthat
relationshipmarker.

“Stayrightthere.”Raulwaggedhisfingeratheronhiswayfromthebathroom,throughthebedroom

andtothekitchen.

“Ihavetopee.Youwantmetopiddlethebed?”
Hisansweringlaughmadehershakeherhead.
Thiswasprobablyheronlyopportunitytodashacrosstheroomandgrabhernightgownbeforehe

cameback.Lookingathimwasonething,struttingaroundinherbirthdaysuitawholeotherthing.She
tossedtheblanketsbackandstumbledherwayintothebathroom.ShewashedupandsnaggedtheT-shirt
nightgownfromthebackofthedoor.JustbecauseRaulwascomfortablewalkingaroundbuck-assnaked
didn’tmeanshewas.Hell,shewasn’tmuchforthenudestrollwhenshewashomealone,muchlesswith
averyattractivemanincompany.

Herbreathcaughtattherealityofthismoment.She’djusthadcrazysexwithaguyshebarelyknew.

Nottomention,hewashotandshewas...well,shewasn’tbadlooking,butshedidn’thaveherfriend
Tamara’sfigure.Raulhadn’tseemedtomind,butthenagain,shecouldjustbeconvenientforhim.

Whatever.Thiswasgoodforher.She’denjoyitandthen...figureitout.
ShesteppedoutatthesamemomentRaulcarriedinplatesofpizzaonherdecorativetabletray.
“Sciences.Nice.”Hesetthetraydownonthefootofthebedandperchedontheedge.
SheglanceddownatherblueandblackStarTreknightgown,morethanalittlesurprisedhe’dnailed

that,sincetheemblemhadwashedoffthefabricagesago.

“Yeah,itwasthisortheredone.Thatdidn’tseemlikeagoodidea.”

“Oh,noway.Sit.”
Sheslidinwithherbacktotheheadboardandacceptedthereheatedpizza.Shewassohungryshe

barelytastedthefirstslice.

“Thatgood,huh?”Raul’schuckledisruptedherfoodgasm.
Mirandablinkedathim,thenherplate.
“Ilikepizza.”Actually,shelikedfood.Period.Whichwashalfherproblem.Almosteverycon

RashaewasgripingaboutMiranda’sfluctuatingweight.

Maybeshedidn’tneedanotherslice.
“It’sdamngoodpizza.”Raulmunchedon,blissfullyunawareofthelandminehe’djustlobbedather.
“Yeah.”Shesettheslicedown,mentallycalculatingcalories.Piperwasaproatcaloriecounting.

UnlikesuperathleteTamaraornaturallyvoluptuousandfitRashae,MirandaandPiperoften
commiseratedaboutbreathingaroundfoodandgainingweight.Itwastheirconstantstruggle.

“DidIsaysomethingwrong?”
“No,no.”Onemoreslicewouldn’tkillher,andshe’dleavethethird.
“What?Isthepizzacoldstill?”
“No,it’sgood.”
“Thenwhyareyoulookingatitlikesomeonejustfarted?”
“Ihavetofitintoacostumeinafewweeks,andIcanhearmyfriendgripingatmealreadyabout

watchingwhatIeat.”Mirandasighed.Shedidlovefood.

“Whynotgetacostumethat’stherightsize,andnotworryaboutit?”
“Shemakesthem.”
“Okay,thenwhynotmakeittherightsize?”
“Shedoes—Idon’talwaysstaythesamesizethough.RashaegetsfrustratedthatI’mnotmore

consistentorhealthierorwhatever.”

Raulchewedslowly,hisbrowsdrawndown.Hisfiveo’clockshadowwascominginstrong,giving

himmoreoftheruggedlook.

“Andthisisyourfriend?”hefinallyasked.
“Yeah.”
“Doesn’tsoundlikemuchofafriend.”
“Sheis.She’sjustconcernedaboutme.Rashaehadanauntthatlivedwithherfamilypassawaywhen

shewasyoungerbecauseofhealthissuesrelatedtoherweight,amongotherthings.Rashaeissuper
awesome,verydriven,sowhenshedecidesshe’sgoingtodosomething—shedoesit.Idon’thaveher
knackforkeepingeverythingspinningthewayshedoes,sowhenI’msuperfocusedononething,I’lljust
eatwhateveriseasiest,unlikeher,whoalreadyhasperfectportionsofeverythingready.Youshouldsee
myfridgeaftershevisits.”

“I’mjustgoingtoputthisoutthere,forwhatit’sworth.Ilikeyouasyouare.”Heliftedhisshoulders

andstuckhalfthepizzacrustinhismouth.

“Thanks.”
“Stopthat.”Hepointedather.
“What?”
“Icanseeitonyourface.”
“What?”
“Thatwhole,he’sjustsayingthatbecausewehadsex,argument.”
“I...didn’tthinkthat...”Notquiteinthosewords,buthedidhitthenailonthehead.
Raulputhisplateonthetrayandscootedclosertoher.Sheswallowedandhadhalfamindtohidein

thecloset.Ithadalockonitandeverything.

“Areyougoingtopickmeupagain?”Sheasked.

“Yup.”
“No!”
Hehadhisarmsaroundandunderherbeforeshecouldwiggleoffthebed.Onceagain,heliftedher

almosteffortlesslyintohislap.

“You’retense.”Hestrokedhishandsoverherlegsandback.
Whatdidshesaytothat?
“Look,Ilikecurvygirls.IlikefeelinglikeI’mnotgoingtobreakyou.”
“You’resayingI’msturdy?”
“No.”Hepattedherbottom.“Stopputtingwordsinmymouth.”
“So,you’regoingtospankmeinstead?”
“Imight.”
“I’mnotsureI’mintothat.”
“Wecanalwaysfindout.”Hegrinnedatherandabitofhermelted.“AllI’msayingis—Ithinkyour

bodyishotandyourfriendcangofuckherself.”

“Ialmostwanttoseeyousaythattoher,butI’mprettysureshe’dkickyourass.”
“Eat.”Hepickedupherpizzaandhelditforher.
“Youarenotfeedingme.”
“Eat.”
“I’magrownasswoman,Icanfeedmyself.”
“Eat.”
“Areyoutryingtofattenmeup?Isthissomethingyou’reinto?”
“No.”Againhelaughed,onehandstrokingherback.“I’mintoyouifitcounts.Andifyou’rehungry—

eat.”

“Fine.”Shetookthepizzaandbitoffamouthful.Deepdownthewarmfuzzieswereswarming.
Thistimeheletherwiggleoffhislap.Theystoppedtalkinglongenoughtostufftheirfaces.Bythe

timeshewipedherfingersclean,hercellphonetimerwasgoingoff.

“What’sthat?”heasked.
“Kittenclock.”
Shescoopeduptheemptyplatesandtray,carryingthembackintothekitchen.Raul’sfeetslappedon

thefloor,followingclosebehindher.Theytiptoedtothekittennestandpeeredinside.

“Look!Look!”Shesmackedhisarminherexcitement.
“Isee.”Hewrappedhisarmsaroundher.“IthinkLolaisgivingusthestinkeye.”
“But,Runtyisinthere!”
Shewasbeyondthrilledtoseethetinykittensucklingalongwithhisbrothersandsisters.She’dbottle

feedthebabyforweeksifshehadto,butknowinghewasstrongenoughtofendforhimselfwaseven
better.

“Let’sleavethemalone.”Raulsqueezedher,hisheadtuckedintothecurveofherneck.
“Iknow.It’sjustsocool.”
“Itis.Shit.It’sgettinglate.”
SheglancedupatthedigitalclockundertheTV.
“IguessI’dbettergo,”Raulsaidslowly.
Ohplease,hedidnotwanttogoanymorethanshewantedhimtogo.Hewastotallygivingherthe

opportunitytokickhimoutthedoor.Itwascute,inaneyerolling,yeahright,sortofway.Besides,she
hadn’tevengottentothegoodpartwheresheshowedhimhernon-sexyideasforabusinessstrategy.

“Youcango—oryoucancrashhereandinthemorningwecanseewho’sthebettergamer.”She

turned,loopingherarmsaroundhisneck.“Yourcall.”

“Iamoffallweekend...”Heslidhishandsdownherarms,overhershoulderstoherback.

“So—yes?”
Shehadthefleetingimpressionsomethingwasupbythewayhegrinned.
Justwhattheheck—
Raulbentandgrabbedheraroundthethighs,standingandliftingherallatonceuntilshewasfolded

overhisshoulder.Sheyelped,scramblingtograbholdofsomething,excepthewasstillnakedastheday
hewasborn.

“Raul!Putmedown,”shehowled.
“Nope.”Hesmackedherbarebottomwithhispalm,nothard,butthesoundofitstillstartledher.
“Notfunny.”Shegrabbedhisass,exceptthemusclesweresofirmtherewasn’thardlyanythingto

grabholdof.

Raulflippedthelightsoffbeforecarryingherbacktothebedroom.Hedidn’tgrunt,stumbleorappear

theleastbitstrainedhaulingheraroundlikeacaveman.Itwasn’tthemostcomfortablethingintheworld
—butshe’dalsoneverbeentreatedlikearagdoll.

Itwasmorethanalittlehot.
Hetossedherontothebed.Shebouncedandsputtered,buthewasalreadycrawlingupherbody.
Thegamewason.
Raulglaredatthescreen.HowdidMirandamakeitlooksoeffortless?
She’drunhimthroughthelevelsoloonceandthenoncetogetherbeforeleavinghimalonetofigureit

out.Itwasn’tevenoneofhergames,andshewasstillwipingthefloorwithhisass.

“How’sitgoing?”Herstepsthunkedagainstthebasementstairs.
“IhatethisGoddamnlevel,”hegrumbled.
“Thatwell,huh?”Sheploppeddownonthesofanexttohim,feetstretchedouttowardhim.
Hestoleone,thentwoglancesather.
Kneehighsocks...Shorts...Allthebloodinhisbodystartedpumpingstraighttohisgroin.That

slouchylookingsweatshirtwasawfullybig.Couldtheybothfitinthere?

“Lookout!”Sheyelped,pointingatthescreen.
Hewhippedhisheadbackaroundintimetoseehishealthbarplummetandthelaughingskullmock

himfor—onceagain—dyinginbattle.

“Youalmosthadit.”Shegroaned.
“Thenyoudistractedme.”
“It’smyfaultyoudied?Please.”Sherolledhereyes.“Learntocontrolyourself.”
Wherewasthefuninthat?Losingcontrolwithherwaswaymoreenjoyable.
“Stoplookingatmelikethat.”Sheplantedherfootagainsthischest.“I’mprettysureI’msore.”
“Icanmakeitfeelbetter.”
“Stop.”Sheswattedhishandwithanotebook.“Iwanttotalktoyou.Iwasgoingtobringthisuplast

night,butthenyoupouncedonme.”

“Iseemtorecallyoulikingthepouncing.”
Whywasittheonlythingonhismindwhenshewasintheroomwasgettinghernaked?Hewasaguy

wholikedsexasmuchasanyoneelse,butwithMirandaitwashisonlythought.That,andmakingher
smile.

Hecrawledupherbodyandhesworehisverycellswerevibratingwiththeneedtobenearher.
“Raul,I’mtryingtobeserious.”Shewhackedhimontheheadwiththedamnnotebook.
“Wecan’thaveaseriousconversationlikethis?”Heshifted,forcingherlegsapartuntilherbody

cradledhis.

Yeah,conversingwasthelastthingonhismind.
“Canyoupayattention?”Sheflippedthenotebookopenandhelditbetweenthemsohehadnooption

buttostareatit.“Iransomefiguresonrescuestart-upcostsandwhatittakestobeanonprofit

organization.”

Raulstaredattheneathandwriting,hisbrainshortcircuiting.Everythingwentdarkforasecond,as

thoughthepowertohishigherfunctionshadbeencutoff.Heblinked,afewbraincellsstartingtofire,
connectingthedots.

“You—what?”
“Willyougetoffme?Ican’tbreathe.”
Hesatup,blinking,andwatchedherspreadfoursheetsofpaperout.Onewasfullofgraphs,another

oflists,aprintedspreadsheet,andherhandwrittennotes.

“Okay,thesearethestate’srequirements.ThesearewhatIwasabletodigupdoingverylittle

research.Andthesearemyideas.Iknowyoudidn’taskforthis,soyoucantellmetoshutup,butIwas
thinkingthatdependingonhowmanypeopleyouhaveinvolvedyoucouldbeupandrunninginsix
months,lessifyoucancomeupwithsomecapital.What?DidIsaysomethingwrong?”

Hestaredather,notthepaper.Hewasn’treadytoprocessthedata.Thatwasn’thowheworked.
“What?Saysomething.”Shewrappedherhandsaroundherpen.
Mirandabelievedinhim.What’smore,she’dtakenhimseriously.Withoutquestion.Andnodoubts.

Notaone.

Theystaredateachotherforamoment.
Theyweren’tfarremovedfromstrangers,theybarelykneweachother,andshe’ddone...this.
Heglanceddownatthepages,notsurewheretostart.
“When...didyoudothis?”Hepickedupthegraph.He’dalwaysdonebetterwithvisuals,working

withhishands.

“MostlyyesterdayduringameetingIshouldhavebeenpayingmoreattentionto.Igotcarriedaway,I

know...I’msorry.Idothatsometimes.”

“What?Why?”Heglancedupather.
“You’relookingatmelikeI’mcrazy.”
“Maybeyouare.Ijust...wow...”
“Youaren’tmad?”
“Mad?Hellno.What’sthis?”
“That’smanpowercosts.Ididn’tknowhowmanypeopleyou’reworkingwithoranything...”
“There’ssixofus.Me,fourguys,andavettech.”
“Wow,okay,soifyouandthetechcouldhandlevettingtheanimals,that’sgoingtobringyourcosts

waydown.”Mirandastartedscribblingonthepaper.“ThebiggestproblemIseeisfacilitiesandhaving
tomanagehoursorsomething.It’sveryunlikelythisisgoingtopaythebills.”

“Iassumedwe’dallbeworkinganddoingthis.Where...doIstart?”
Mirandapickedupthepagesandsettheminherlap.Hescootedover,andshestartedwiththehard

stufffirst.Thenumbersandthestaterequirements.Fromthatframework,shehadarangeofideas—from
utterlyimpossibletostuffhecoulddoinhissleep.Theybouncedthingsaround,andshemadeevenmore
notes.Insteadofpullinghimbackfromthelandofcrazy,shenudgedhimtothinkbiggeruntilhisheadwas
closetoexploding.

“Iwantedtobringthisuplast...”Mirandapulledoutherphone.
“Uh-oh,what’dIdo?”
“Nothingbad...Ijust...It’syourwebsite.”Shemadeafaceandsetherphoneonherknee.
“It’snotthebest.”
“No,it’sreallybad.Thevideosaregood—let’sbehonest,hotguyandbabyanimalsisgoingtoget

attention—butthere’snocalltoaction,no‘supportthepuppies’message.You’relosingsupportthat
wouldbeincrediblyeasyforyoutoget.”

“Oneoftheguysdidit.Ihavenoideahowtobuildawebsite.”

“Woulditsteponhistoesif—maybe—Itinkeredaroundand—”
“Areyoukidding?He’dprobablythankyou.”
“Okay.Good.IhaveamarketingplanideathingI’dliketoworkon,ifit’sokaywithyouandyour

team.Thefirstthingyouguysneedtodoisfigureoutaname,wecandrawupthepaperworkandgetthat
going.Then,it’stimetothinkaboutbuildingyourcapital,maybesomefundraisers.Areyouguyskeeping
animalsor—?”

“Yes.”Hescrubbedahandoverhisface.
“What’sup?Idon’tlikethatface.”
“Wekeeptheanimaswerescueatthehouse.”
“Thehouse?Isthislike—alocation?Afacility?”
“No.Ourhouse.Ilivewiththeguys.Werentahouseandhopethemanagementcompanydoesn’tmake

asurprisevisit.”

“Oh,dear.DoIwanttoaskhowmanyyouhave—?”
“Please,don’t.EverytimeIcomehomethere’sanotheranimalthere.”
“Okay,soadoptioneventsneedtobeatthetopofthelist,whichwillalsobringinmoney.

Fundraisers.Adoptionevents.Gotit.”

Shebentherhead,hercurlsbobbingasshewrotedownmoreofthosemillion-dollarideasswimming

aroundinherhead.

Whathadheeverdonetodeservecrashingintosuchanamazingwoman?

6.

Miranda nearly bounced with excitement—and it wasn’t even anything she was involved with. Raul’s
passionwascontagious.Shecouldn’thelpwantinghimtosucceed.

AnewwebsiteandbetterSEOwouldincreasetheirdigitalfootprintsignificantly.Somedecent

brandingonthevideos,alittlebitofmarketing,andshewassurethey’dgaintraction.Butallofthat
wouldcostmoney.AndifRaulwasputtingeverythinghehadintotherescueanimalstheyhad...where
werethefundscomingfrom?

Shejotteddownafewthingstokeepherhandsbusy.
Itwouldn’tbeabigdealtochipin.Tohelp.But...
Sheswallowed.
Thiswashowitstarted.Allthetime.
No,helpingwithabusinessplan,awebsite,andthevisionwasn’tabigdeal.Itwasn’tlikeitwould

takeachunkofchange.Butthenwhat?Therewouldbecosts.Fortheanimals.Forupkeep...Andshe
knewherself.Shewasgoingtowanttohelp.

Andthenwhat?
WhathappenedwhenRaulgottiredofher?Whenshebecametheirgo-toforfunding?
Italwayshappenedthisway.
Shebitherlip.
Didshebailnow?Backoutwhileshestillcould?
SheglancedupatRaul.He’dbeguntalking,andshe’dhalf-heartedlylistenedtohisgushingideasfor

bowsoncollarsandthemedholidaywear.Thatpassion...Shecouldseehimlightingthefires,keeping
peoplegoing.Hewaslikeher,inthatregard.Itwaswhatshewasgoodat.Butwhatcamelater?

Heturnedthatinfernoonher,theexcitementbeamingoutofhim.Shegrinned,becauseshecouldn’tbe

aroundhimandnotsmile.It’dbeenalongtimesinceshe’dhadsomethingtobehappyaboutthatwasn’t
workrelated.

Raulleanedoverandkissedher,hishandsinherhair,hislipssofteningagainsthers.
She—melted.Therewasnootherwaytodescribehowherbodyreactedtohim,howhermindwent

blankandherbodywarmed.Shejust...melted.Maybebecausehe’dsomewhatnullifiedherphysical
insecuritiesandeverytouchandcaressbuiltonthat,ormaybebecauseshejustwantedhimbadlyenough,
shecouldn’tputthebrakeson.Hegaveherareasontonotstareintotheshadowsandbeafraid.

Hepulledback,swipinghisthumboverhermouth.
“You—areamazing.”Hebenttopickupthepapersthathadscattered,andhandedherthecontroller.

“Yourturn.”

“You’restillonthislevel?”Shesigheddramatically,butshecouldn’tblamehim.Hewastryingiton

theKillersettingwithaleveltwentycharacter.Itwasaboutasimpossibleashecouldget.Shecoulddo
it,butthatwasbecausethiswasherlife.

“Showmeagain.”
“Fine.”
Shesetthepapersandnotesonthesidetable,crossedonelegunderherandlettheotherdangleoff

theleathersofa.Thepositionassumed,sherestartedthelevelfromthebeginning.

ItwasreallyunfairtoRaultocompetewithhim.Evenifitwasn’taGrungeGamescreation,itwas

stillaDarkMattergame,whichmeantshe’dhaditlongbeforeithadbeenreleasedtothepublic.Still,
shelikedagooddungeoncrawlerasgoodasthenextperson.

“Fuckinghell—youjustblewpastthem.”Hethrewuphishand.
“Yup.”Ifhehadn’tfiguredouttheclassabilitiesandhowtopowerthroughthem—thatwashisfault.
“Goddamnit.Howdidyoudothat?”
“Shutup.I’mtryingtokillthingsandyourchittychat-chat-chatneedstostop.”
“Excuseme.”
“There’sthestairs.”
Hervisionnarrowedtothescreen.Sheknewwhatcamenext,howlongtolethermanabuildbefore

shechargedthenextgroupofmonstersandhowtolayhertrapstoensureshecouldhandlethemtwoata
time.Asmanytimesashe’dattemptedthelevel,Raulshouldhavesomeofitfiguredoutbynow.

“What—what—whatareyoudoing?”ShehitthepauseandlookeddownatRaul.
Hecrouchedinfrontofheronhisknees,onehandupunderhersweatshirt.Theguiltylookonhisface

wasalmostcute.

“WhatdoesitlooklikeI’mdoing?”Heslidhisfingersupunderherbra.
IttookaHerculeanefforttonotreact.Tonotarchherbackintohistouch.
“I’mtryingtobeatthelevelforyou,mister.”Shemanagedasternexpression.
“Keepgoing.Don’tmindme.Orareyounotgoodenough?”Hepushedherbraupoverherbreasts.
Shewaveredbetweencallinghimonhisshitandreactingtothechallenge.Shewasgoodenough.

Whenitcametogames,she’dalwaysbeengood—orbetter.Hewassimplyanimp.Ifshestopped,she
wasprettysurehe’dpesterheraboutitallweekend.Ifshekeptgoing,well,shecouldrubhisprettyface
init.Eitherway,thiswasfun.Andherlifeneededmoreofthat.

“Fine.”Shebitoffthewordandjabbedthegamebackintoaction.
Heatcrawledupherneckandpooledbetweenherlegs.Shehadtopowerthroughthisbeforehegot

toocreative.AndRaulwascreative.Andtalented.And...ooohhh,thatspot...

Mirandadroppedthefirstsetoftraps,thenthesecond,pullingthecavernmonsterstowardheravatar.

Raul’sheadbumpedthecontrollerandshescowledatthescreen,barelygettingthefirstshotoffintimeto
takeouttheforwardrank.

“Hey,you’removingaroundtoomuch,”shegrumbled.
“I’mwhereIwannabe.”Raul’sheadandarmswereinhersweatshirt.Allshecouldseeofhimwas

hisbackandbutt.

Focus...notonhim...
Hisfingersstrokedoverhernipplesandshegritherteeth.Shecountedthesecondsandwatchedthe

nextsetofmonstersslipthroughthetrapandcloseranksonheravatar.Raul’smouthwrappedaroundher,
histonguerubbingagainsther.

Fuck,thiswassonotfair.
Shesuckedinadeepbreathanddeployedhersecondattack.Inaslittleasthirtyseconds,she’d

dispatchedtheherdofcavernclingers,andtakenoffdowntheleftfork.Usuallyshe’dcrawlthedungeon
abit,pickingupwhateverlootshecouldget,butrightnowitwasaracetothefinish.

Raulswitchedbreasts,teasingonenipplewithhisfingersandtheotherwithhisteeth.Sheslidfurther

downthesofa,provingthatshewasn’timpervioustomelting,evenwhentryingtofocus.

Damnhim.
“Howyoudoing?”Hepeeredupather,stretchingtheneckofthesweatshirtoutabitmore.
“Fine.”
“Justchecking.”
Whydidshenotlikethetoneofhisvoice?

Shedidn’thaveamomenttopuzzleitout,themid-levelchallengewasjustahead,andsheneeded

moremana.

Raulshifted.Shefelthisfingersagainstherinnerthigh.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Shepausedthegameandglareddownthefrontofhershirtathim.
“What?Can’tconcentrate?”Heranthebackofhisfingersoverherslit.
Therewasnowayshecouldfocusonsurvivingthelasthalfofthelevelwithhimdoingthat.Noway

possible.Ifsherememberedright,itwouldtakeatleastfifteenminutestoknockoutthewholelevelafter
shebeatthemid-levelchallenge,aparticularlynastycavewormwhoshotpoisonspikythings.

“Don’tmindme.”Raullickedherbreastandshesuckeddownadeepbreath.
Oh,hewassogoingtoregretthis.
Shecoulddothis.
Mirandagritherteethandstaredatthescreen.Onebonusfromjuststandingaround,hermanasupply

waswheresheneededit.Shepushedtheavatarintoafull-tiltrun.Ifshecouldn’ttakethetimetobeatthe
challenge,shecouldalwaystrytorunthroughit.Which,atthischaracterlevel,mightbethesmartestthing
todo.

Raul’sfingersgentlypartedherfolds.Shebitherliptokeepfromgroaning,hookedherthumbaround

thejoystickandkeptherfingersfirmlymashedagainstthehardplasticcasing.

Theavatarroundedthebendinthecavernandshedeployedthespiritguide,asortofdecoythat

wouldtakedamagebeforehercharacter.Acouplestridesandtheonslaughtoftheattackbegan.

AtalmostthesamedamnmomentthatMirandamovedthejoystick,Raulslidasinglefingerintoher.

Sheshifted,movingherhips.Hepushedherfootovertheedgeofthesofaandkissedherstomach.

Damnhim.
Damnhimalot.
Shepushedafewbuttonsatrandom,burningthroughsomeofherstoredmanawithnobenefittoher

progresswhatsoeverbeforeherbrainkickedin.

Thegame.Thegame.Thegame.
Swivelingthejoystick,shenavigatedtheavatarthroughthepoisongasminefieldandoutofrange

fromtheworm.

Raul’sknucklesbrushedherandhisfingercurleddeepwithinher.
Shewasgoingtobitethroughherlipifhekeptthisup.
Mirandabreathed,andpushedon.Thehealthbarwasfarlowerthanshe’dlike,andthesecondhalfof

thelevelwasprogressivelyharder.NotthatRaulknewthat,becausehekeptgettingboggeddownatthe
beginning.Hereallyneededtostopchoosingrangecharacterswhenwhatheneededwasagoodtank,but
hehadn’tasked,soshehadn’tsuggested.

Hepumpedanotherfingerinherandlickedherbreast,swirlinghistonguearoundthetightnipple.
Therewasnowayhecouldmissherracingheartbeat.
Damnhim.
Shestoppedbyahealingorb,replenishingherhealth,andtookthemomentofcalmtolethereyes

flutterclosed.

God,Raulhadtalentedfingers.
“How’sitgoing?”heaskedagain.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
Hegentlymassagedherclit.
Sheswallowed.
Fuck.

Mirandashifted,sittingupabitandeffectivelyhamperingRaul’smovement.Shepoweredthrough

anotherbitofthelevel,scoringanicechunkoflootintheprocess.Bythetimeshehitherstride—Raul
foundhis.

Hisfingersslidforward,overhermoundandclit,andbackinsideofher.Sheswallowedandfought

tokeephereyesopen.

Fuuuuuuuckthatfeltgood.
Justalittlebitfurther—andshe’deithercomeorreachtheend.
Ifshetotallybypassedthemonstersandmadearunforit...maybeshecouldfinishthegamefirst...It

wasaterribleidea,becauseassheprogressed,thedungeonmonsterswouldsimplyamassbehindher,
rightonhertail.Butitwasthatorstopplaying.Andshewasfartoocompetitivetogiveuplikethat.

Joystickpushedallthewayforward,sheran,tossingdowntrapsandusingthedistanceweapontoput

downthemoredangerouscreatures,allwhileRaulpumpedinandoutofherpussy.Shesquirmed,though
shedidn’twantto.

Heappliedmorepressuretoherclit.
Shit.
Shewantedtocome.
Butshealsowantedtobeatthestupidlevel.
Justalittlefarther.
Mirandamoaned,despiteherbestefforts.Raulhookedhisarmunderherthigh,pullingherasscloser

totheedgeofthesofawithnoregardforthelife-or-deathsprintshewasin.Histonguelickedher
sensitizedclitandherbackarchedoffthesofa.

Thebastard.
Hewassonotwinning.
Shethrewdownyetmoretraps,drainingthecharacter’sreservesdryandputonmorespeed.
Raulputatwisttohisfinger-thrusts.
Thecrimsonhalooflightquicklyfilledthescreen.
She’dwon!
MirandadroppedthecontrollerrightontopofRaul’shead—byaccident,butitwashisfault.She

groanedashecontinuedtofingerfuckher.Astalentedashisfingerswere—thatwasnotatallwhatshe
wanted.

Highonlust,shegrabbedthewaistbandofhershortsandpushedthemdown.Raulwasforcedbackin

theprocess.Hesatonhisheelswhileshekickedoffherpanties,grinninglikehewasthewinner.She
snaggedthecondomshe’dstuckinthetiny,mostlyuselesspocketofhershorts,andrippeditopen.

“What?Youfinished?”Hetwistedtoglareatthescreen.
“NotyetIdidn’t.Uphere.Now.”Sheslappedthesofa.
“Bossy.”
“Youhavenoidea.”
Raulgrinnedandslitheredupontothesofa,hisboxersandjeansfallingtothefloornexttohershorts.

Shestraddledhislegsandheheldhiserectionwhilesherolledthelatexon.Shelostnotimescooting
forwarduntilhiscockbrushedagainstherwetfolds.Hestareddeepintohereyesasshesankontohim,
herarousalslickingherchannel,makingtheintrusioneasy.

“Fuck—you’rehot.”Raulkneadedherasswithbothhands.
Shegrippedhisshoulders,alotlessinterestedintalking.
Helifted,guidingandsupportingherassherose.Gravitydidtherest.Sheworkedherhips,taking

himdeeper,strokingthelengthofhiscock.

Raulstrainedtowardheruntiltheirmouthsmetinahungrykiss.Heroseup,thrustingintoherwith

moreforce.Shemoanedastremorsofpleasuresnakedthroughher.

Thepleasurecoiledtightinherbelly.Shewastooclosetoorgasm,toofargonetolast.
Shedugherfingersintohishair,workingherhipsfaster,seekingherpleasurewithahungry

determination.Raulreachedbetweenthem,histhumbplayingherclit.

Herbodyfeltasthoughitburstapart,pleasureradiatingoutfromhercore.
Raulcontinuedtothrustupintoher,drawingouttheorgasm.
“Fuck,yes,fuckme—youfeelsogood.”Raul’svoicewasraspy,low.
Shegaspedandheldontohisshoulders.Hertoescurled,andshestruggledtomovewithhim.
Hegrippedherhips,movingherintimetohisthrusts.Sheleanedforward,pushingherhandintohis

hair,kissinghismouth.Hisholdtightened,almostpainfully,andhepoundeddeeper,harder—thenstilled,
hisfacemomentarilyfrozeninasilentshout.

Hissoul-deepgroanmadehergrininturn.
Whowasthewinnernow?
Frankminimizedhisworkemailandstretched.Saturdayswereforuninterruptedworkandpersonal

matters.Nowthatthemostpressingthingswereoutoftheway...

Amissedcallonhiscellcaughthisattention.Notbecausehe’dmissedacall—heregularlyignored

hisphoneontheweekend.Itwaswhothecallerwas.

ThePI.
Frankfrownedandpressedthevoicemailiconandliftedthephonetohisear.
“Hi,Mr.Kellis.Yousaidtoinformyouofanyovernightvisitorsnotontheapprovedlist...”
“Yes?”Frank’shandcurledintoafist.Whatwasshedoingnow?
“Iobservedayetunidentifiedmaleenteringthehomelastnightaroundeight,andhehasyettoleave.”
“Thankyouforlettingmeknow.”ThewordstastedwoodeninFrank’smouth.
“Notaproblem,sir.”
ThePIendedthecall.
Frankcarefullysetthephonedownonthedesk.HeheftedtheBluetoothmouseinhishandandhurled

itacrosstheroom.Bitsofplasticbrokeapartandthepieceswentscatteringunderfurniture.Heshovedto
hisfeet,growlingprofanities.

Shehadaman.Aman—stayingwithher.
Whattheactualfuck?
Frankpacedtheofficeshovinghishandsthroughhishair.
Hisgutsaidtogotoher.Benearher.Andyet—hecouldn’t.Notafterhe’dnearlygottencaughtafew

weeksago.Itwasn’ttimeyet.Thehousewasn’tready.Nothingwasprepared.

Heneededtowait.
Justalittlewhilelonger.
Theycouldfixthis.
Hepickedupthephotographhe’dframed.Theoneofherwiththeredlips.
Frankpressedakisstohermouth.
Whoeverthefuckthismanwas,hewouldnotcomebetweenthem...

7.

Mirandafloppedontoherdeskchairandswungfromsidetoside.

ThehousewasquietwithoutRaulthere.Shealmostwishedshe’dgonewithhimonwhateversortof

emergencyanimalrescuethinghe’dbeencalledawayon.ButthatwouldmeanleavingLolaalonewith
thekittens,andthoughMirandawasthrilledaspunchRuntyMcRunt-Pantswaseating,shecouldn’tbring
herselftoleavethemforlong.

Besides,shehadn’tyetheardanupdateaboutPiper’sdateandRashaeshouldknowsoonifshewas

goingtoofficiallygettheartistgigfortheboardgamethingshewasexcitedabout.

Shegrabbedherphoneandcheckedthegirlchat.
Therewereeasilyacouplehundredmessages.Shealwaysgotabitsicktoherstomachwhenthere

werethatmanywaitingforher.Hadsomethinghorriblehappened?Wastheregoodnews?OrwasTamara
sendingthemrandomcatvideosagain?

Oneofthelastmessageswasavideochatinvite.
Sheshookthedesktopmouse,wakingupthePCandclickedthroughtothevideochat.
“Lookwho’sjoiningus!”Tamara’svoiceblaredthroughthespeakers.
“DearGod,you’reloud.”Mirandawincedandturnedthevolumedownasthethreeotherscreens

flickeredtolife.“We’reallhere?”

“Nowthatyoudecidedtoshowup.”RashaegaveherTheLook.“Moreaboutyoulater.Piperwas

juststartingtotellusabout—what’shisname?”

“HisnameisKobe.”Piperhadherkneesdrawnupandherarmsaroundhershins.
“Like—thebasketballplayer?”Mirandashifted,settlingin.
“Yeah.”Piperrolledhereyes.
“Shewastellingushowitwas—andwasn’t—awesome,beforeyoudecidedtointerrupt.”Rashae

proppedherchininherhands.

“Yeah.Like,he’ssuperneattotalkto,but...Idon’tknow.”Pipersquinted.“He’sforsurenottelling

mesomething.”

“Everyonehasbaggage,”Tamarachimedin.
“What’shelooklike?Doyouhaveapicture?How’dyoumeethim?”Mirandahadn’theardanything

abouttheguy.

“Yeah,what’supwithnottellingus?”Tamarafrowned.IfTamaradidn’tknow,thenPiperforsure

hadn’tyetsharedthedetails.

“Imethimonlineatoneofthosedating-swipersites.”Piperleanedforward,herlaptopmouse

swishingbackandforth.“Hangon,I’msendingyouguysapicturenow...there.”

Mirandaclickedtheattachment.
“He’sAsian!”Tamarapumpedherfist.“Holdon,Imightknowhim.”
“Shutup,Tamara.”Piperrolledhereyes.Theyweretheonlytwoofthefourwholivedinthesame

city.

“Wow...”Miranda’seyebrowsrose.
Kobewasn’tRaul,buttheguywascertainlyattractive.Hehadthatbadboystaredown,asixpack

andeverythingelsein-between.Shecouldseetheappeal.Andwhyhe’dbeintosomeoneasdrop-dead
beautifulasPiper.

“Wait—isthislike...aheadshot?Isheamodeloranactor?HeliveshereinL.A.,right?”Tamara’s

facefilledthescreenasshepeeredatthepicture.

“Yes,he’sfromhere,no,he’snotamodeloranactor.Iaskedhimwhyhehadwhatlookslikeagency

picturesonhisprofile,buthedidn’treallygivemeastraightanswer.Somethingaboutafriendand
photography.”Pipershrugged.

“Idon’tknow...”Tamarafrowned.
“What’swiththeAsianhate,Asian?”Rashaesquintedatthecamera.
“Nothing.”Tamarasatback.
“What?”Piperdemanded.
“Nothing.Nothing.Didyouhavefun?”
“Tamara.”Piperfrowned.“Don’tmakemecomeoverthere.”
“No,forgetIsaidanything.”
“Oh,comeon,Tamara,nowweallwanttoknow.”Rashaeslappedthedesk.
“It’sjust...”Tamararolledhereyesandsatupalittlestraighter.“He’slike,reallypretty.Guysthis

prettyinL.A.areusuallyhereforsomething,youknow?Beanactor.Getarecorddeal.Modeling.He’s
waytoogood-lookingtonothaveathing,youknow?”

“That’swhatI’mthinking.”Pipersighed.“Miranda,whataboutyou?You’vebeensuperquiet.”
“Yeah,how’dlastnightwithMr.Purrfectgo?”Rashaeasked.
“Good.”Mirandagrinned.Shecouldn’thelpit.
“Wait—ishestillthere?”Rashae’sjawdropped.
“No,heleftalittlebitago.But...”Mirandaclaspedherhandstogether.“Heiscomingback.Theguys

hedoestheanimalrescuewithhadamedicalrescueemergency,sohewenttotakecareofthatandpick
upsomecleanclothes.”

“Shutup!”Rashaeclappedandthrewherheadback.“Ihateyouall.WhyamIthesingleonenow?”
“Woo-hoo!Isheatoolorakeeper?”Tamaragrinnedrightback.
“He’ssonotatool.Iwasreallysurprisedbyhowniceheis.”Though‘nice’wasn’ttheword

Mirandawouldusewhenhewasthrowingheraroundlikearagdoll.

“Whatdoesthatsmilemean?Areyoublushing?”Tamarapeeredatherthroughthemonitor.
“Yes.”Mirandacoveredherface.
“Whathappened?”Rashaedemanded.
“Isheintosomethingweird?”Piperasked.
“Nothingweird,just—itwasgood.”Mirandashrugged.
“Ilikethathe’stherewithyou.I’vebeenworriedaboutyoubeingalonesincethebreak-insand

everything.”Tamaraleanedanelbowonherdeskandtoyedwiththeendofherbraid.“Doesthedetective
knowanythingelse?Anynewleads?Isitconnectedtothatstalkerguy?”

Miranda’sstomachchurnedandsheswallowed.“Nothingnew.Max—thedetectivewhowason

AndreaandCrystal’scase—tookovermycaseandhasbeenlookingintoitbut...”

“Nothingnew?Still?”Pipershookherhead.
“No,butIdofeelsaferwithRaulhere.”Mirandaleanedbackinherchair.Therewasnothingworse

thanfeelingscaredinherownhomeandhavingnoonebelieveher.Someonehadtobreak-intoherhouse
forthepolicetotakeherseriously,andeventhen,untilMaxlookedintohercase,hardlyanyonewould
payattentiontohercomplaintsovertheyearsthatsomeonehadbeenfollowingher.Snappingpictures.
Aroundeverydamncorner.Sherefusedtoliveherlifeinfear,butitmadeforsomeparanoia.

“Allthosemuscles...Hecanprotectmeanyday.”Rashaegrinned.
TheverymusclesRaulhadusedtotossMirandaaround.Hemadeherfeel...small.Whichwas

somethingthathadn’thappenedinaverylongtime.

“Whatdoesthatlookmean?Miranda?”

“Nothing!”
“Oh,comeon,Itoldyouallaboutripping-my-clothes-offsex.Youhavetogiveusdetails!”Tamara

triedandfailedtopout.

Mirandamanagedtogetoutsomeofthehighlights.Sheleftoutplenty,becausewhiletheywere

friends—itwasRaulshewassleepingwith.

“Aw,hesoundslikehe’smakingyoureallyhappy.That’sgood.Youdeservetobehappy.”Piperhad

herchinproppedupinherhand.

“Yeah,Imean,it’sstillwaytooearlytotell,but...Ilikehim.”Mirandasighedthedreamysighoflust.

Whentheheckwassexyscrubsgettingbackhere?

Raulglancedattheclock.
Anotherfour,agonizinghourstogobeforehecouldgethome—correction—hecouldgotoMiranda’s

house.

Hereallyhadtostopthinkingofitashome.Granted,hehadn’tsleptinhisownbedsincelastFriday.

Afullsevendaysago,now.Hepulledouthisphoneandsmiledatthelockscreen,aparticularlycute
pictureofMiranda,LolaandRuntyMcRunt-Pants.Thekittenneededanewname,thatwasforsure,but
everythingelsewas...perfect.Thisthingbetweenthemwasawhirlwind,butinagoodway.

Shebelievedinhim,hisvisionfortherescue...withouther,he’dprobablyhavecontinuedtoflounder

around.Inaweek,she’dsetthemupwithawebsite,revampedtheirsocialmediaandbrandedthings—
whateverthatmeant.Theproofwastherethough.Theyhadreal,honest-to-Goddonationscomingin.She
wascompletelyamazing,andthatwasn’teventakingintoaccounteverythingelseabouther.Still,itwasa
lotofchangesinaverylittleamountoftime.Itwasalottotakein.

Dinnerorderwillbereadytopickuponyourwayhome!
Itwasoveranhourold,andtotallymundane,buthesmiledatthemessage.Shethoughtofeverything.
Rauljustwishedtherewassomethinghecoulddoforher.Hestayedatherplace,keptherupwaytoo

late,andplayedhergames.Takingoutthetrash,keepingthelitterboxcleanandaneyeonthekittens
wasn’thardlyenough.Hehadtheideathattherewassomethingshewasn’ttellinghim,buthewaswilling
towaitherout.Solongasshewasn’thidinganythinghorrificfromhim,hehadagoodfeelingabout
whateveritwastheyweredoing.

Flowersweregoodandall,butheneededtodosomething...more.
“Dr.C,thereyouare.”Abig,burlymancoveredintattoos,sportingbikerleathersandawhitebeard

enteredtheclinicthroughthebackdoor,apetcarrierinhand.

“John,hey.What’chagotthere?”Rauleyedthemewlingcarrierwithtrepidation.Whattheheckhad

hisroommatefoundthistime?

“Mamacatandherkittens.They’vegotalotoffleasandmange.Gotaminutetotakealook?Say...are

youcomingbacktothehouse?”

“Letmeguess,youwanttosticktheminmyroom?”Raulpeeredintothecarrier.
“Ifyouaren’tgoingtobearound...She’sgotmangeprettybad.It’dprobablybebestifshedidn’t—”
“Yeah,yeah,yeah.Just—putthemattressup?Orsomething.I’dpreferforitnottogetpeedonagain.”
“Oh—hey,rememberweweretalkingaboutdoingafancything?Lookatthisplace.”Johnhandeda

brochureforawaterfrontpartyspot.Theslickpictureswereclassy.Upscale.“Doesthatfitwhatyou
werethinking?”

“Maybe?I’llgivethistoMiranda.Seewhatshethinks.”Helaiditdown,snappedapictureandsent

itoff.Herbusinessplanhadalotofoff-shootsandthingsthatdidn’tmakeanysensetohim.AllRaulkept
comingbacktowasthematterofmoney.Theyneededalotofit.Eventodoafundraisertogetmore
money.“Okay,mama,let’sseehowyou’redoing.”

“She’sreallysweet.Betshewassomeone’shousecatonce.Say,arewestillgettingtogetherthis

weekend?”

“Youmean,isMirandainvitingeveryoneoversoyoucantakeuphersofaandplayDrudgeagain?

Yeah,Saturdayafternoon.”

“Cool,man.Ilikethisgirl.”
“Me,too.”
Andthatwastheproblem,ifitcouldbecalledthat.Raullikedher,andhehadnoideawhattodoto

keepher.

Mirandatappedherpenonthepadofpaper,listeningtothestupidholdmusicdroneonandonand

on...

Howlongdidittaketolookatacalendar,anyway?
“Ma’am,thankyouforholding,”thereceptionistdrawled.
“Didyoufindanyavailability?”Mirandatossedthependownandclickedthroughthesite.Again.
Thelocationwasperfect.Alargeoutdoorspacewouldallowforkenneldisplaysandsome

interactiveactivitieswithsomeoftheanimals.Inside,theycouldhavecocktailsandthesilentauction.
Shewasprettysurethatjustwithherlocalconnectionsalone,shecouldgetacouplehundredpeople
there.More,ifsheleveragedsomethingsinherpersonalcollection...

LiketheoriginalconceptdiscsfromthefirstDrudgegame...
Shestillhadthemall.
Cliffhadtriedonnumerousoccasionstoprythemoutofherhands.Shehadallsixcopies.Inthedust

jackets.Thosecouldfetchafortune,iftheygottherightpeopleinthebuilding.More,iftheycoulduse
somesortofinteractivebiddingdeviceforpeoplenotabletoattend...

Raulwasgoingtoflip...
“Let’ssee...We’vegotadatefourweeksoutthatjustcameavailable.Canceledwedding.”
“Oh—really?”Mirandaflippedopenhercalendarapp.
Fourweekswasperfect.Notalotoftime,butenoughtogetthefootsoldiers,a.k.a.,herfriends,

mobilized.Shefelt...energized.Excited.

ThereceptionistgaveMirandathedetailsandsentherthenecessaryforms.She’dstillneedtospeak

withthefacility’smanagerfortheofficialbooking...butitwascompletelydo-able.Mirandapacedher
office,burstingattheseamstotellsomeone.Piperwasstillworkingcrazyhours,Tamarawasontheset
ofamovie,butRashaewasalwaysaround.Mirandajabbedinherfriend’snumberandstuckher
Bluetoothheadseton.

“What’syourdamage?”Rashaeaskedbywayofagreeting.
“Ifoundaspottohaveafundraiser.”
“You—wait?What?”
“Remember,I’mhelpingRaulandhisteamgettheirrescuegoing?”
“Yeah...”
“Andtheideawastodoabigthing,getsomeinvestorsintohelpthemwithsettingupfacilities?”
“Uh,thatsoundsfamiliar...”
“Igotusaplace.Well,notofficiallyyet.I’mgoingtoswingbyafterwork,butit’sperfect!”
“You...backup.Theboyhashischarityandallhisfriendsareinonit.That’scool.Andyou’rehelping

them...whatnow?”

“Mostly,I’mhelpingwithanactionplan.Theyknewwhattheywantedtodo,justnothowtogoabout

it.”

“Okay,andwhatelseareyoudoing?”
“Ididthewebsite,butthat’snothing.”
“And?Miranda?”
“What?”
“Whatelseareyoudoing?Whathaveyoupaidfor?”

“Nothing.”
“Miranda...”
“Fine.I’mgoingtopaythedepositforthecharitylocation,butthat’sit.”
“Isthatseriouslyit?”
“Yourlackoffaithinmeishumbling.”
“No,that’snotwhatImean.Just...Icouldseeyouemptyingyourpocketsforathinglikethis.”
“I’mbeingcareful.It’shardtonotsayI’lljustpayforstuffwhenthingscomeup.You...theyrescueda

mamacatand—”

“Stop,youdamncrazycatlady.You’rebeingcareful.Good.”
“IcalledyoubecauseI’mexcitedandIwantedsomeonetobehappywithme.”
“Sorry,it’sjust—you’remybestfriendandIworryaboutyou.Ilovethatyou’regettingexcitedabout

stuffagain,andyou’vegotsomeoneinyourlife.”

“But?”
“But,yeah,you’vegotahugeheartandit’seasyforpeopletotakeadvantageofthat.I’mnaturally

suspiciousofanymaninyourlifeIhaven’tmetyet.Canyoublameme?”

“Youtalkedtohimonourvideocall.”
“That’snotthesamething.”
“Well...youcouldcomeoutforthefundraiser...”
“And?Youclearlyhavesomethinginmind.”
“I’mgoingtooffertoletthemauctionoffoneoftheconceptcopiesoftheoriginalDrudgegame.Iwas

thinkingTamaracouldpromoteitonherYouTubeshow,andwecouldmakeitathing.Ifyouwerefree,
havingyoubetheemceewouldbefantastic.”

“DearJesus,youalreadyhaveitplannedout,don’tyou?”
“Maybe...”
“Okay,weareofficiallygoingtostarthavingSugarMamacheck-ins.Isaythisasyourfriend,you

knowthat,right?”

“Yes.”Mirandarolledhereyes,bothfrustratedandtouchedbyherfriend’sconcern.
“Soareyouguy’sofficiallydating,oristhisjustafuckfriendthing,orwhat?”
“Wehaven’tlabeledit.”Mirandapacedbacktoherdeskchair.
“Thatdoesn’tbotheryou?”
“Nowthatyoubroughtitup,itdoes.”
“Thentalktohim.Hell,ifhe’sbeenmovinginlikehehas,heshouldhavesomethingtosayaboutit.”
“Ijust...Idon’twanttobethatpushygirl.I’mhappy.Ifeelsafe.”
“Miranda,honey,Iloveyou,butifhecan’tcommit,hecangetout.Thereareotherwaystobehappy

andfeelsafewithoutgivingawayyourhard-earnedmoney.It’dbedifferentifyou’dgoneonadateor
two,butthewayyou’regoing,he’sgoingtohiremoversbeforetoomuchlonger...Whatwasthatnoise
youjustmade?Miranda?Howmuchofhisstuffisatyourplace?”

“Notalot.Justclothes.”
“And?”
“Hiscat,butShivaisupstairsinthesparerooms.”
“Hiscat’snameisShiva?Lord.Whatelseishebringingover?”
“Nothingelseuntilthekittensareolder.”
“Nothing—what?Whatishebringover?”
“Hemightbringhisdog.”
“Adog?”
“Yes.”
“Miranda.”

“What?”
“Boy’sgottadecideonewayortheotherwhatthehellhe’sdoing.”
“You’vetotallyrainedonmyparade.”
“Sorry,that’swhatlovedoes.”
“Screwyouandyourso-calledlove.”
“You’llthankmeafteryousettlethingswithyourbeau.”
Mirandarolledhereyesandgrumbled.Rashaewasright.Shewasalwaysright.Didn’tmeanMiranda

hadtoagreewithheraboutit.

“Ihavewingstocreate,andIneedbothhandsandmywholebrain.Yougobeawesomeandgiveme

anupdatelater,okay?Andstartlookingatflightsforthefundraiserweekend.Makesureboytoyknowshe
hastopassinspection.”

“Allright,bye.”
Mirandahungup,andthecloudofuncertaintyreturned.It’dbeenfollowingheraroundsince

Wednesday,whenShivaarrived.Bringinghiscattoherplacewasahugesignoftrust,wasn’tit?His
mostsignificantrelationshiphadendedbecausehisexranoffwithLola.Shehadtotellherselfthiswasa
goodsign.Abig,blinkingindicatorthatthingsweregoingwellforthem.

Weren’t they? Or did she simply want someone in her life badly enough she was willing to take

whateverwasoffered?Inanotherfewmonth’stime,wouldRaulseeherparanoiaandleaveher,calling
hercrazy,too?

Frank tossed his briefcase on the sofa and headed for his home office. He’d held off checking on

thingsuntilhewashome.Alldaylong,he’dhadtowonderwhatshewasupto,whowasshespeakingto,
howherdaywasgoing...

Notknowingwastheworstofit.
He’dtunedoutofawholehourofthefinancialforecastmeetingthinkingaboutherhair,howmuchhe

misseditwhenitwaslonger.Theshorthairwasnice,buthemuchpreferredherlong,naturallocks.

Fuckit.
Frankstrodeintothebedroom,thenthelarge,walk-incloset.He’dboughtacase,oneofthosefancy

artdisplaysthatmonitoredair,preservedthepiecewithinaglassbox.Thekeypadwasstandard.He
jabbedthebuttons,hisvisionnarrowingtothelong,silkybraidinside.

Hewrappedhishandsaroundthenearlytwentyinchesofbrunettehairandstrokeditfromoneendto

theother,thensmelledit.

Thiswashismostprizedpossession.
He’dhadtowatchhercalendarcloselybecausethedatekeptchanging,butonceshe’darrivedforthe

appointmenthe’dremainedinplace.Thestylisthadn’taskedtoomanyquestionsafterhe’dwavedthe
moneyinfrontofher.

Frankheldthebraidtohisnoseandinhaled.
Itstillsmelledofher.
Teatreeoil.Lavender.Abitofmintandrosemary.Mirandapreferrednaturalscents,nothingtoo

flowery.

Hesqueezedthebraidandstrolledintotheoffice.
Acoupleofkeystrokesandthemirroreddesktopfilledhisscreen.
Hesatbackandwatchedherdayindoubletime,everyemailshe’dread,noteshe’dwrittenandsite

she’dvisited.

TheBeachcomber?
Frankfrowned.
Whywouldsheneedapartyspace?
Therewasn’tanythingonhercalendaraboutaparty.

Frankhadabadfeelingaboutthis.WhatwasMirandauptonow?

8.

Raulbalancedthepizzaononehandandheftedthegrocerybagsupoutofthefloorboardwithhisother
hand.GiventhathewascrashingatMiranda’ssomuch,hefigureditwasonlyfairthathechipinwiththe
groceries.

Hemadeitupthepatiowithoutincidentandbythetimehereachedthebackdoor,Mirandahadit

openforhim.Hehadtopauseforamomenttotakeherin.Nearlyeverynightwaslikethis—he’dshow
up,halfexpectinghertobrushhimoff,butinsteadthatdazzlingsmilereeledhiminalloveragain.

“Hey,handsome.”Shesmiledandsteppedback.
“Evening,beautiful.”
“Needahand?What’chagotthere?”
“Contributionstothekitchen.Ifinishedoffthecreamerandmilkafteryouleftforwork.”Hesetitall

onthelargeislandwhileshestartedpeeringintobags.

“Anythingelseneedtobeputawayrightnow?”sheasked.
Hepaused,parsingoutthenotesofexcitementinhervoice.
“Whathappenedtoday?”Hescrambledtorecallanyscrapofconversationthatmightgivehima

betteridea.

“Thisit?”Shestashedthefewrefrigerateditemsandtossedthebagsintorecycling.
“What’supwithyou?”Hesteppedincloser,backingherupagainstthefridge.
Mirandabitherlowerlip,eyessparklingwithabarely-containedsecret.
“Comehere.”Shewrappedherfingersaroundhishandandledhimintoheroffice.“Iwantedtohave

moretoshowyou,butIbarelybeatyouhome.Sit.”

Hedidassheaskedandwrappedanarmaroundherwaist,pullingherintohislap.Aweekagoshe

wouldhaveyelpedandtriedtogetaway.Nowsheshifteduntilshewascomfortableandreachedforthe
mouse.Progress.

“Ididathing,”shesaid.
“Whatthing?”
“Thisthing.”Shemaximizedawindowshowingamodernwaterfrontbuildingwithwell-manicured

hedgesandalawnthatstretchedouttoastonerailing.

“Whatisit?”Thepropertywas...expensivelooking.Outofamovieoramagazine.
“It’stheBeachcomber.Thatpropertyyousentmethebrochurefor?It’ssortoflikeanupscalecivic

center,eventspacething.”

“Okay.”
“AndIwasthinking...itwouldbeperfectforafancyfundraiser.Likewetalkedabout.”
“That’samazing.”
“Isn’tit?”Sheglanceddownathim,herwidesmilemakingeverythinginhischesttight.“There’sthis

greatcoveredpatioareawhereyoucouldsetupsomekennels,maybehaveaplaypensortofarea.Then,
inside,there’ssomereallynicespacetodococktailsandotherstuff.”

Hecouldlistentohertalkallnight.Herzealforplanningandgettingthevisionacrosswasuncanny.

Listeningtoherspeakmadehimwanttojoinin,andhe’dstartedthedamnrescue.

“Someday,we’llgetthere.”Herubbedherback.It’dbegreattoputherplansintoaction.Someday.
“That’s...sortoftheotherthing...”Sheglancedfromthescreenbacktohim.

“What?”
“There’sanopeningintheirscheduleinfourweeks.It’susuallybookedupsixtoeightmonths,alotof

timesevenlonger.”

“That’snice,butwhat’saplacelikethiscost?”
“Ididathing,remember?”
Hefroze.
Thethingwasn’tfindingtheplace?
Ormakingawesomeplans?
“Miranda,whatdidyoudo?”Hestaredather,unsurewhathewantedhertosay.
“I...someoneshoweduprightafterme,readytopaycashonthespotforthatweekendbecausethey

heardlikeIdidtheyhadanopening,butbecauseIhadanappointment,themanagertalkedtomefirst
and...Ihadto.IfIdidn’t,we’dlosethespot.”Shespokeallatonce,herwordsblurringtogether.

Hecouldseethesceneinhismind.Miranda,poisedandreadytoselltheiridea,herpassionandthe

moment—thatsplit-seconddecision-makingmaven.He’dbuttedheadswithherafewtimesandlostwhen
shegotlikethat.

“Saysomething.”Sheproddedhisribs.
“Howmuchdidthatcost?”Hescrubbedahandoverhisface.Howwashegoingtopayforthis?Half

hischeckwasalreadycoveringtherescue-vettingcostshecouldn’twaive.

“Don’tworryaboutthemoney.Doyouthinktheguyscanpullthisoffinamonth?”
Raulstaredatherforamoment,tornbetweenchargingfull-steamaheadintohisdream,andleaning

onyetanotherpersonformoney.

Dreamsdidn’tpaybills.Theycostmoney.He’dfallendowntheholeoflettinghisdreamsblindhim

totheconsequencesoncebeforeandhe’dlosteverything,rightdowntohiscat.

Whatwoulditcosthimthistime?
Mirandawasadifferentperson.Heractions—this—wasbornoutofadesiretohelp.Thewayshe

staredathimnow...shewasbuyingintohisdream,makingithers,too.Becausethatwasthekindof
personshewas.Giving.Nurturing.Alotofbossy,butbossygotthejobdone.

Therewasstillapricetopaythatwasn’tmoney,andhewishedheknewwhatitwasgoingtobe.With

hisex,it’dbeenhiscat.WithMiranda,hedidn’tknow.Washereadingtoomuchintothis?

“Raul,saysomething,please?”Thewayshelookedathim,hereyesbeggedhimtobeasexcitedas

shewas.

Damnit.Itwasagreatplan.Andshebelievedinhim.
Maybehewastheproblem.Hewastoojadedandguardedtoreallyappreciatetheselfless,beautiful

thingMirandawasdoingforhim.

Fuck,hewasaheel.
Raulwrappedhishandaroundhersandsqueezedit.
“Allwehavetodoisfollowtheplan,right?”Heswallowedthelumpinhisthroat.Shewasn’t

anythinglikehisex,andhewasdamnluckytohavesuchaselflesswomaninhislifenow.Heneededto
wakeupandreallyappreciateher.

“IknowImadeabigdecisionwithoutaskingyouguys,but...itwasjustsoperfect.Pleasesayyoulike

it.”

“Maybewarnmenexttime?”
“Where’sthefuninthat?”Sheleanedbackagainsthischest.“Isitokay?”
“Babe,ifitweren’tforyou,we’dprobablystillbetryingtofigureouthowtorunthewholeoperation

outofourrental.It’sscary,butwithyourplanandourmuscle,Ithinkwecandoawholelotmorethanwe
realize.”Andthatwasthetruth.Growingwasn’tacomfortableexperience,andmaybetheyneededherto
pushthemoutoftheircomfortzone.

“Youaren’tmad?”
“No.”Theanswercamewithoutpauseortheneedtothink.
“Good.”Shesmiled,anditwaseverythingrightintheworld.
Whatthehellhadheeverdonetodeservethis?Her?
“I’dlovetosithereandmakegoo-gooeyesatyou,butI’mreallyhungry,andthatpizzasmells

amazing.”Sheleanedinandbuzzedhislipswithakiss.

Raulwaitedforhertogetup,thenspunthechairtowatchherwalkaway.
Aweek...andthiswasprobablythehappiesthe’deverbeen.
“Youcoming?”Sheglancedoverhershoulderathim.
“Rightbehindyou.”Hehadtothinkofsomething,someway,tothankher.Deserveevenafractionof

whatshegavehimsofreely.

Mirandaplatedthepizzaandbreadstickswhiletheycaughteachotherupontheirday,thekittensand

Shiva’supstairsantics.Already,Lolawasprowlingthestairs,evidencethatitwouldnotbeaneasy
introductionforthetwo,buthopefullythey’dadjust.Bythetimetheywereseatedonthesofahestill
hadn’tcomeupwithanythingbesidesflowersandchocolatesasthankyous.

“Isthereanythingyouhaven’tbeenabletoputyourmindtoandjust—doit?”Heturnedtoface

MirandabeforeshecouldturntheTVon.

“Um...Idon’tknow?”Shenibbledonabreadstick.
“Seriously,nothing?”
“Like—what?”
“Noothergoals,dreams,bucketlistthings?”
“I’mthirty-sevenfuckingyearsold.DoIreallyneedmoregoalsatthispoint?Imademyvideogame.

Istartedandrunmycompany.Whatmoredoyouwantfromme,mom?”

“Hey,I’mjustcuriousifyou’vethoughtaboutdoinganythingelse?”Somethinghecouldmaybehelp

with.

Shechewed,hergazeontheceiling.
“You’rethinkingofsomething.”Hepickedupthepizzabutcouldn’tfindtheinterestineatingyet.
“Well...notreally,Idon’tthinkitcounts.”
“Whatisit?”
“Writingabook.”
“Likewhatkindofabook?”
“See,that’sthething.I’vealreadywrittenit.”
“Cool.Whatkindofabookisit?CanIreadit?”
“I...don’tthinkyou’dwantto.It’saromancebook.Ibaseditonafailedgameconcept.”
“Whatgame?”
“ItwasthisspaceexplorationRPG.Itwasindevelopmentrightaroundthetimephoneappgameshit,

andwerealizedtheconceptwasbettersuitedtophonesversusaconsole,soweabandonedit.”

“That’ssocool.Whataboutthebookthough?”
“Werewolvesinspace.”
“Werewolves...inspace...Okay.”Henodded,notfollowingalongatall.“Whofallinlove?”
“Yes.”
“IsthisaFifty—”
“Fullstop.”Sheheldupherhands.“No.Don’tsayit.”
“SorryIasked.”
“WheneverIsayIwanttowriteabookit’salwayseither,isitFiftyorTwilight,andit’sneither.I

snuckmymother’soldromancebooksintomyroomasakidlongbeforeeitherofthosebookswereever
athing.Ijust...Ineverhadtheattentionspanforwritingabook-book.”

“Okay,sowhatnowthatyou’vewrittenit?”
“It’smorelikeanovella.”
“That’sstillabook,right?”
“Iguess?Idon’tknow.”
“Areyougoingtopublishitsootherpeoplecanreadit?”
“Oh,hellno!”
“Whynot?”
“I’mnotthatgood.”
“Areyousure?”
“Raul,noonewantstoreadmywerewolvesinspacewithfatedmates.”
“Fated—what?”
“OhmyGod,canwepleasestoptalkingaboutthis?”
“No,Iwanttoknowwhatafatedmateis.”
Shecoveredherfacewithherhands,acompletelyadorablegestureshedidwhenevershewas

embarrassed.Whichonlymadehimwanttoknowmoreaboutthesefatedmates.

“I’lljustGoogleit...”Hepulledouthisphone.
“No!God,no,Ihavenoideawhattheinternetwillsayaboutthetrope.”Sheleanedbackontothe

sofa.“IfItellyou,canwetalkaboutsomethingelse?”

“Sure.”Fornow.
“Fatedmatesisamostlyparanormalromancetrope.”
“Wait—paranormalromance?”
“Youagreed,onequestionandnomore.”Herglarewasnottobetrifledwith.
“Okay—fatedmates.”Hefiledtheotherbitawaytoaskaboutlater.
“Right.It’satropeabouttwopeoplebeingmeantforeachother.Fateordestinymakesthemtheonly

rightmatchforoneanotherintheworld.Usually,theyeitherknowinstantlyifthey’resupposedtobe
together,ortheyfigureitoutafteralittlewhile.”

“Butyousaiditsparanormalromance?Thenwhyisitjustpeople?”
“It’snotjustpeople—it’svampiresandshapeshiftersandallsortsofparanormalcreatures.People.

Andyouagreedtonomorequestions.”

“Onemore?”
“No.”
“CanIreadyourbook?”
“No.Noonewilleverreadit.”Shetookabiteofpizzaandpointedlystaredawayfromhim.
“Whynot?”
“It’snotgood.Ijustwantedtowriteitforfun.ToseeifIcoulddoit.AndIdid.”
“And?”
“And...I’mwritinganotherone.”
Thiswastoomuchfun.Hesethisplatedownandcrawledacrossthesofatoher,untilhehadhisface

rightupinhers.

“Arewefatedmates?”
“Youarenotfunny.”MirandaflickedRaul’sperfectnose.
“Ow!”Herubbeditandglaredather.
Fatedmates.
Thatwasabookthing.Notreal.Still,itwouldmakeanice,neatanswerforwhattheyweredoing.

Thiswhirlwindthing.Wasitallinherhead?WasRashaerightingivinghermajorside-eye?

Raulleanedinandlandedalip-smackingkissonhercheek.Normally,thebutterfliesinherstomach

wouldtakeflightandshe’dstruggletobreathe.ThistimeitfeltmorelikeachurningseaofLeviathan

tryingtobubbleupinsideofher.Itwasn’tpleasant.

“DidIsaysomethingwrong?”Raulsatback,givingherthatpuppy-dogheadtiltlook.
God,hewascutewhenhedidthat.
“No,no.”Shepinchedthecharmonhernecklaceandsliditbackandforth.
“Iwasjustjoking.Ididn’tmeantobeanass.”
“Youaren’t.”Blesshimforbeingsoquicktoapologize.Shewantedtodropthislineofconversation.

“IwasthinkingwemightwanttoswapLolaandShivaforabit,havethemeachgetusedtothewaythe
othersmells.”

“That’sagoodidea.Hey.”Hegraspedherfreehandandsqueezed.“What’sup?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?Really?”
Mirandarolledhereyes.Yeah,shehadzeropokerface,buthedidn’thavetopointitout.
“Comeon,what’sbotheringyou?”Hetookherplate,setitonthecoffeetable,andsettledin,holding

herhandbetweenbothofhis.“DidIdosomething?”

Shesighed,albeitabitdramatically,andsloucheddownnexttohim.
Heregoes.
Theywerehavingthetalk.
“IfIsayIdon’twanttotalkaboutitandyouletitgo,I’mgoingtoobsessaboutitallnight.”She

peeredupathim.“IfwetalkaboutitI’mgoingtofeelliketheneedy,crazy,bitchygirl...”

“Well,ifsomething’sbotheringyoutellingmeaboutitdoesn’tmakeyouneedy,bitchyorcrazy.It

makesyouhonest.Iappreciatethatyoudon’twantto...comeoffthatway,butit’snotfairtoyou.What’dI
do?”

“Nothing.”
“Seriously?Inthehistoryofmenandwomen,it’snevernothing.”Heletgoofherhandandwrapped

itaroundher,tuckingherinclosetohisside.

“No,really,youdidn’tdoanythingwrong.”Shesnuggledinclose,thescentoflemonsoapstill

clingingtohisskin.Eventually,she’dtellhimaboutthestalker.Aboutherex.Butnotnow.Thismoment,
wasaboutthem.Notherhistory.

“Thenwhat’sbuggingyou?”
“Myfriendsarereallyover-protective.”
“Andthey—what?Don’tlikeme?”
“No,it’snotthat.One...sortof,mighthaveriledtheothersintopesteringmetodayaboutus.Iknow

theymeanwell,butitjustmesseswithme.”

“I’mguessing—Rashae?”
“Yes.”Mirandawinced.
“Okay,what’sherproblem?”
“How’dyouknowitwasher?”
“Justafeeling.What’dIdo?”
“It’snotyou.It’s—us.Shejustrodemyassaboutthingsgoingsofastandall.”
“Well,it’scoolyourfriendsarethatconcernedaboutyou—”
“But?Ihearabut...”
“But,yeah,doyourfriendsrunyourrelationships?”
“No.”
“Thenwhat’stheirdeal?”
“Rashaethinksweshould,like,haveanofficiallabelorsomething.”
“Andwhatdoyouthink?”
“Ihadn’treallythoughtaboutit.”

“UntilRashaesaidsomethinganditbotheredyou?”
“Yeah.See?ThisiswhyIdidn’twanttotalkaboutit.IloveRashae.Sheismybestfriend.But

sometimesshebuttsinandputsideasinmyhead,andIworryaboutthem.”

“Well,sheisright.Wehavejumpedinthedeepend.”Heslidhisfingersbetweenhers,givingher

handasqueeze.“Butit’snotlikeeitherofusareyoungandstupid.Okay,stupidcouldbearguableonmy
side.Thatsaid,Ihopeit’sobviousI’mprettyintoyou.”

Leviathanhadtobeanotherwordforbutterflies.Man-eatingbutterfliesmaybe,becausetheywere

swarminginMiranda’schesttothepointshethoughtherheartwouldbeatoutofherchest.

“It’snicetohearit.”Hervoicewaspitchedhigh,abitgirly.
“Whatdoyouthink?CanIcallyoumygirlfriend?”Heleanedhisheadonhershoulderandblinked

superfast,maybeevenfastenoughtocallitaflutter.

Mirandasnickered.
Thiswaswhyshewasfallingforhim.
Notbecauseofhisamazingabsorhismoviestarlooks.
Becauseofthis.
Thesemomentswhenhewassilly,whenshefeltinaweofhowlargehisheartwas,whenshefeltsafe

andathomeinhisarms.Maybethiswaswhattheidealoffatedmateswasbasedon?Thesenseoffinding
apersonwhogother.Thatclickedwithher.

ShewasfallinginlovewithRaul,andtherewasnoreasonnotto.

9.

Mirandabreezedintotheoffice.Itwasweirdshowingupsolate,butshe’dneededtomeetCliffhalfway
between their offices for a quick meeting to cover the next year’s conference schedule. With the
ComicConcircuitgettingsolargetheyhadtofirstpickandchose,thendivideandconquerwhowentto
what. Then there was breaking the news to their employees about who got to go, and who didn’t. She
enjoyedthemeetingsawholehellofalotmore,nowthattheynolongerincludedacertainformerDark
Matteremployeewhowasbehindbars.

“How’ditgo?”Andrea,oneoftheirleadprogrammers,waswaitingoutsideofMiranda’soffice.
“Good.What’sup?”Mirandasethertoteinthearmchairandshruggedoutofhercoat.
“JustwonderingaboutthePTOrequest—”
“Whendidthosegethere?”Mirandacaughtsightofabeautifulbouquetofrosesatthesmall,four-

personmeetingtabletoonesideofherdesk.

“Oh,thosegotherefirstthingthismorning.”AndreafollowedMirandaovertothedesk.
TheyhadtobefromRaul.Afterlastnight...herkneeswentalittleweakjustthinkingabouthim.How

hadshegottensolucky?

Mirandapulledthecardout.ThescrawlinghandwritingwassonotRaul’s.Hehadthedoctorchicken

scratchdownperfectly.

TothewomanIadore.
“Who’sitfrom?”AndreapeeredoverMiranda’sshoulder.
“I’mguessing...”Shesnappedaquickpictureoftherosesandtheircellophane-coveredvase.“I’m

guessingthey’refromRaul.”

Shetappedoutaquickthankyou.He’dprobablybarelyjustbegettingtotheclinicanddidn’twantto

throwoffhisrhythm.

“Raul?Who’sthat?”
“ThisguyImetlastweek.”Mirandadidherbesttokeepherrelationshipwithheremployeesstrictly

professional.ItwashardwithAndreaandafewothers,simplybecausetheyhadsomuchincommon.
“It’sallstillverynew.Actually,Iwantedtotalktoyou—ohmyGod!”

Mirandayankedherhandsawayfromthevase.Shesteppedbackuntilsheranintoherdesk.
“What?What’swrong?”Andreapeeredatthewhiteceramiccatvaseundertheiridescentplastic.
“Oh—ohmyGod.”Mirandabackpedaledaroundthedesk.
ThevasehadbeenagiftfromCrystal—Andrea’sfriendandMiranda’semployee.Itwastheirjoke

thattheywereconfirmedcatladiesofthecrazyvariety.Thevasehadgonemissingduringthestringof
break-ins.Itwasacheap,glassvase,butit’dmeantsomethingtoMiranda.

Andnowitwashere.
Inheroffice.
Whywasitthere?
Who’dputitthere?
Sheturned,eyeingthecloset,thedoor.They’dneverfoundthepersonwhobrokeintoherhome.She

wascertainitwasthestalker.Weretheythere?

“Miranda?”Andreastaredather,eyeswide.“What’swrong?”
Thebuzzofherphoneringingbarelypenetratedtheadrenalinefueledurgetorun.Flee.

“CallMax,now,please,”shemanagedtogetoutwithoutcryingorwhimperinginfear.
ToAndrea’scredit,shepulledoutherphonewhilecrossingtotheofficedoorandflippingtheflimsy

lockintoplace.

Mirandasnatchedherphonefromthedeskandbackedallthewaytothewall.
“Babe?I—what’swrong?”Raul’svoicedidn’tevencalmher.Hewasn’tthere.Hecouldn’tprotect

her.

“I—oh,God—Idon’tknow.Idon’tknow.Hemustbehere.Idon’tknow.”Shebabbledthesame

wordsoverandoveragain.

“Maxisonhisway,Miranda.”Andrealeanedagainstthedoor,herlipssetinagrimline,hereyes

widewithworry.

Ofcourse—becausetheonlypeoplewhoknewwerethegirls.Miranda’sclosestfriends.Everyone

elsethoughtshewascrazy.Paranoid.

He—whoeverhewas—knewwhereshelived.Heknewwheresheworked.Itwasn’tjustsmokeand

mirrors,shadowsandsuperstition.Notanymore.Itwasreal.

Sheslidtothefloor,herkneesdrawnuptoherchest.
Her home, even her office wasn’t safe. She’d thought for a moment she could be happy, but she

couldn’t.Notwiththispersonouttheretauntingherlikethis.

Raul side-stepped the receptionist who’d guided him deep into the Grunge Games building. One

glimpse of Miranda standing with her shoulders hunched and a tissue pressed to her mouth and he was
readyto—hedidn’tquiteknowwhat.Shehadn’tmadeabitofsenseonthephonebeforehe’dbeencut
off,andshehadn’tansweredhiscallssincethen.

Mirandaglancedupandherlipsparted.Themanspeakingtoherfrownedasshesteppedpasthimand

intoRaul’sarms.

“Thankyou,I’msorry,thankyou,”shesaidoverandoveragain.
“Hey,noproblem.What’sgoingon?”Hestrokedherhairandsqueezedhertohim.Atleastshe

appearedunhurt,butthetearsbotheredhim.Alot.

“Miranda...”Theman,acopjudgingbythebadgehangingfromaroundhisneck,glancedfromherto

himandthenintoanoffice.

“Idon’twanttoknow,”MirandasaidintoRaul’sshirt.
“Ineedtoaskyouafewmorequestions.”Theofficer’sgazejumpedbacktoRaul.“Youare?”
“Raul.Herboyfriend.What’sgoingon?”
“I’mMaxBowman,SeattlePD.Miranda,canyoupleaseanswerafewmorequestions?”
“No,Idon’twantto.”Sheshookherhead,faceburiedagainstRaul’sshoulder.“Pleasedon’tmake

me?”

“CanIhelp?AnythingIcananswer?”Raulwoulddojustaboutanythingtofixthis.
“Comeinhere?”Maxnoddedinsidetheoffice.
“Hey.”RaulbumpedMiranda’schin.“I’mgoingtogoinhereandseewhatheneeds,okay?”
“Hey,Miranda,wanttocomeinmyoffice?”Ashorter,twenty-somethinggirlsteppedup,wrappingan

armaroundMiranda’swaist.

“Thanks,Andrea,”Maxsaidbeforegesturingintotheoffice.
RaulwatchedMirandabeingledaway,downahallandoutofsight.
“Coming?”Maxcalledfromintheoffice.
“Whatthehellisgoingon?”
“HowlongyoubeenwithMiranda?”Maxasked.
“Longenough.”
“Knowaboutthestalker?”Maxstoodnexttoacircular,glasstable.Amanwithacameraignored

themboth,snappingpicturesofthesameflowersMirandahadsenthimapictureof.

“Stalker?What?”
“Notthatlong,then.”MaxscrawledsomethingelseinhisnotebookbeforeturningtowardRaul.His

gazewasnotfriendly.“WhendidyoumeetMiranda?”

“LastWednesday.Shebroughthercatintothevetclinic.”
“Andyou’dneverseenherbeforethen?”
“Whatthehellisthatsupposedtomean?”
“AreyouawarethatMirandahasbeen—isbeing—stalked?”
“What?No.”RaulandMaxstaredateachother.“YouthinkIdidthis?”
“Stalkersdotheirbesttogetclosetotheobjectoftheiraffection.”
“No.”Raulshookhishead.“Ididnotsendherthoseflowers.”
“WouldyoubewillingtosubmitaDNAsampletoprovethat?”
“DNA—what?”Raulfrowned.
“Justtoruleyourselfout.”Maxshrugged.
“Why?”
“Itappearsabraidofhairwasinsidetheplastic,wrappedaroundthevase.”Maxpulledagloveout

ofhispocketandusedthelatextopickupaplasticevidencebag.“ThereappearstobeDNAonthehair.”

Raulstared,mostofMax’swordsnotclicking.DNA.Hair.Vase.Whattheeverlovingfuckwasgoing

on?TheonlythingthatmadesensewasthatMirandaneededtobesafe,andprovinghewasonherside
wasparamount.

“Yeah.Whatdoyouneed?”Raulswallowed.
“It’sjustaswab.”Maxtookalongswabfromtheotherguy,andinamatterofmomentsthedeedwas

done.“Mirandaneedstogohome.Settledown.I’llcomebylatertotalk.Mycard.”

Raultookthecard,hisbrainmorethanalittlenumb.
SomeoneouttherewasscaringMiranda.HisMiranda.
Andshehadn’ttoldhim.
Mirandastaredatherpatiodoor.
Shehadn’tbeenabletodriveherself.Herhandswerestillshakingtoobad.Raulhadn’taskedher

questions,buttheywerecoming.

HeturnedtheJeepoffandforamomenttheysatinherdriveway.
“Canyougoinsideandcheckfirst,please?”Shehatedthatshewasscaredofgoingintoherown

house,butshehadn’tevenrealizedshe’dbeenvandalizedthefirsttime.

“Sure.Lockthedoorafterme,okay?”
Raulgotoutandshejabbedthelockbutton.Sheagonizedeverysecondhewasinside,readytocall

thecopsatthefirstsignofaproblem.Instead,Raulreturned,collectedherthings,andledherinside.
Withoutevenaraisedeyebrow.

Shewentstraighttothekittens,countingthemfirsttoensuretheywereokay.Onceshewaspositive

theywerefine,sheshedherworkclothesforsweatpantsandRaul’shoodie.

“Wanttotalkaboutitnow?”Raulsatatthefootofthebed,hisdarkgazeworried.
“No.”Shetuggedthehoodiedownoverherbottomandwishedshecouldcrawlinsideit,likea

protectiveshell.

“Comehere.”Raulspreadhisarmsandshejoinedhim,lettinghimhugherpiecesbacktogether.“I

needtoknowwhat’swrong.Maxsaidtherewasastalkerandbreak-ins?”

“Yeah.”
“Canyoutellmeaboutthem?”
Peoplefinallybelievedher,andallshewantedtodowasignoreit.Weirdturnofevents.
“Idon’treallyknowwhenitstarted.Afewyearsago,maybe?I’djustgetthis...feelingthatsomeone

waswatchingme.IthoughtaguywastakingpicturesofmeonthewalktothetrainstationoutwhereI

usedtolive.Ireportedit,butthecopslaughedatme.ToldmeIshouldbeflatteredsomeonewantedmy
photograph.Otherscalledmeparanoid.Onenight,someonebrokeintothehousewhileIwasathome.”
Shecouldtastethefear,eventhoughit’dbeen—what?Two,threeyearsago?

“I’vegotyou,”Raulwhispered.
“I’ddialed9-1-1butIwastooscaredtogetoutofbed.ThispersoncameintothebedroomandI

droppedthephone.Itriedtogetawaybuthegrabbedmeandheldmedown.”Sheburiedherfaceagainst
Raul’sshoulder,inhalingthesmellofdogsandlemonsoap.“Icanstillrememberhisbreath—itsmelled
likepeppermint.Istillcan’tstandpeppermint.”

“Whathappened?”
“Thecopsgotthere,andheranoff.Iwassoscared...”
“Andnoonefoundtheguy?”
“No.That’swhenmyparentsandItradedhouses.Icamebackhereandthingswerebetter.Everyone

saidIwaslucky.Thatitwasjustsomerandombreak-in,butwhodoesthat?Hedidn’t...doanythingto
me.”

“But...?”
“ButIcan’tshakethefeelingsomeone’sstillwatching.”
“Maxsaidsomethingaboutbreak-ins,liketheywererecent?”
“Yeah,afewmonthsago,Icamehomelate,gotintobed,andrealizedthewindowwas—Ithought—

open.Someonehadbrokenit,comein.Thecopscameout,saidImusthavescaredthemofforsomething,
becausenothingwasmissing.Thenthehousegotbrokenintotwomoretimes,andafewthingswere
missing.OnethingwasacatvaseCrystalgaveme.Crystal’soneofmyleadartists.”

“Andthevase...?”
“Theflowerswereinthevase.Myhairwaswrappedaroundthevase.”
“Wait—yourhair?”
“Yes.”
“Areyouserious?”
“Iam.”
“Fuck.I...thedetectivesaidsomethingaboutthatIjust...IassumedImisunderstood.”
“It’s...it’swreckedmylife.Myfriendships.AcoupleboyfriendsthoughtIwascrazyparanoid.”
“Sh.Youaren’t.Youaren’tanyofthat.”
“Ithought—hoped—itwasover.”Mirandasatupandcoveredherface.She’dbeensocertainitwas

done.

“Why?”
“Afewmonthsago,theVPofDarkMatterwent...crazy.Hewasalwayscrazy,butDoughiredaguyto

kidnapAndrea.”

“Andrea,thegirlwhotookyoutoheroffice?”
“Yeah,thatAndrea.DougkidnappedherandCrystal,itwasahugething.IjustassumedthatDoug

wasbehindthestalkingbecause—shit.It’salongstory.”

“Butnowyoudon’tthinkit’sDoug?”
“Nothinghappenedafterthebreak-insandhisarrest.Ijust...assumed...itwasover.Thatithadtobe

him...”

Ifitwasn’tDoug,whowasit?
“Okay,thenhere’swhatwedo,I’mgoingtogooverthehouse,makesureallthewindowsanddoors

arelockedandsecured.Then,doyouwanttogotomyplace,orafriend’shouse?”

“Notreally.”Herhomehadalreadyproventonotbethesafestplace...andyetshedidn’twanttogo

anywhereelse.SolongasRaulwastherewithher,he’dtakecareofher.

“ThenIsaywereheatthepizzaforanearlylunchandyou—ma’am—showmeonemoretimehowto

beatthatdungeon.”

MirandasqueezedRaul.Couldhegetanybetter?
Raulpickedupthelastoftheplatesandremnantsfromtheafternoon’scookout.Hewasstillsurprised

MirandahadinsistedongoingforwardwiththeiroriginalSaturdayplansafteryesterday.Shewandered
aroundtheyard,keepinganeyeonRaul’sone-eyed,three-leggedpug,Demon.Johnhadbroughtthedog
overasatrial,toseehowMiranda,LolaandDemonallgoton.Sofar,sogood.Thelittledogwasoneof
Raul’s first rescues. He’d been honestly shocked that the pug had survived the level of abuse he’d
sufferedbeforelandinginhislap.

Raulhaddonehisbesttokeepherbusyandentertained,buthecouldseethestrainandworrywearing

herdown.MaybewatchingDemon’santicswouldcheerherup.Thepugwasn’trightinthehead,buthe
wasanincrediblysweetdog.He’dtakenonelookatMirandaandfalleninlove,whichRaultotallygot.
Hecouldn’tevenbejealousoftheattentionshewaslavishingonDemon.

EverythinginRaulwassettoprotect,whichwasanotherreasonwhyDemon’sdistractionswere

welcomed.Sheneededsomeonetomakeherlaughandsmile.Rightnow,thatwasn’tRaul.Hismindkept
goingbacktoMax’sphonecalllatelastnight.Raulhadknownitwasbad,butnotthisbad.

Whothefuckstoleawoman’shairandthenjackedoffwithit?
IfRaulthoughtaboutittoomuchlonger,hewasn’tgoingtokeephiscool.
“Didhego?”Rauleyedthedog.Sometimeshecouldbeobnoxiouslypicky.
“Notyet.”
Figured.
“Hemightnotgoforawhile.Comeon,Demon,inside.”GoodthingJohnhadbroughtthepeepads

withhim.

Attheword“inside”thethree-leggedpugsprintedacrosstheyardandhurledhimselfuptheback

stairs.Hemissedoneoutofeverythreeandwouldtumbleback,onlytochargeupthestairsagain,
undeterredbythefall.Theyallgotinsidewithouttoomuchfuss,thedoorslockedanddishesputaway.

“Howyouholdingup?”RaulcaughtMirandaaroundtheshouldersandpulledherbackagainsthis

chest.

“I’mokay.Ithinktodaywentwell,don’tyou?”
“Yeah,everyone’sreallyexcited.Ithinkthoseprioritizedlistsreallyhelped.Thatwasgreatthinking.”
“Thanks.Ifoundtheywerereallyusefulwithmystaff.Youthinkthefundraiser’sgoingtogowell?”
“Ican’tseehowitwon’t.You’vegotitallfiguredout.”Heturnedheraroundandloopedhisarms

aroundherwaist.“Andyourfriendsofferingtocomeinandhelplikethatis—awesome.”

“Yousaythatnow.WaituntilRashaehasyoubackedintoacorner.”
“Icanholdmyown.Youreallysureyouwanttoofferuptheconceptgame?Youcouldmakealotof

money—”

“Stop.Yes.I’veheldontothose,knowingIdidn’twanttomakemoneyoffthem.They’respecial,but

theyshouldhelpsomething.Likeyourrescue.”Shesmoothedherhandsdownhischest.“DidJohnbring
yourotherstuff?”

“Yeah,Istuckitinthegarage.”
“Youshouldbringitin.”
“Wecangooveritlater.”
“Howmuchofyourstuffisleftthere?”
“Notsure.”Butitwasn’talot.Itcouldn’tbe.Practicallyallofhisclotheswerehere.Thefewpieces

offurnitureheownedshouldbeburned.Itwasalittlesadthatthegreatestsumofhispossessionswere
hiscollegetextbooks,ShivaandDemon.

“Wouldyoumind...doyouthinkyoucouldplanonlivingherefornow?Wecanstopplayingthis,are

youstayingheretonightgame.”

“You—areyousure?”Itwasabigstep,andfast.
“Idon’tfeelsafeherebymyself.Ifitweren’tforyou...Iwouldn’tbeabletostayinmyownhome.I

needyouhere.AndIlikeyouhere.”

“Okay,thenyeah.Whateveryouneed.”Hesqueezedhertohimandwishedtherewassomethinghe

coulddotofixthis.Tomakeallofherproblemsgoaway.“WestillneedtogooverwhatMaxsaidthis
morning.”

Mirandaglancedaway.
Atherinsistence,Raulhadtakenthecallwiththedetectiveandpromisedtorelayeverythingtoher

later.She’davoidedhismentionofitsofar.Therewasn’talotofthedayleft.

“Whatdidhesay?”Hervoicewasquietandshewouldn’tmeethisgaze.
“Notmuch.Hegavemesomemoredetailsabouttheflowers.Mostly,hewantedtoknowifyou’d

madeanymorenotes,anythingthatwouldhelpnarrowhissearch.”Raulwasnotgoingtotellherthesick
fuckthat’dsenthertheliliesincludedherhairandhisjack-offjuice.

Mirandashookherhead.
“Anything?”
“No.Nothing.Ithoughtitwasover.”
“Healsosaid...thatImightbethereasonyougottheflowers.”
“You?”Mirandafrowned.
“Yeah,thathavingme—aboyfriendatall—mighthavepushedthisguyovertheledge.”
“That’scrazy.”
“It’swhatDetectiveBowmansaid.”
“Well,youaren’tgoinganywhere.”
“That’swhatIthought,but,areyousure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,thatwasprettymuchit.Now,whatdoyousaytocheckingonthekittensandthensomeice

cream?”

Mirandasmiledandtheworryeasedfromherface.Makingherhappyandkeepinghersafe,werefast

becomingthemostimportantthingsinRaul’slife.He’dleftworkandgottenwrittenupwithoutasingle
thoughtabouttherepercussionsbecauseMirandamatteredthatmuchtohim.Thiswasnew,scaryterritory
for Raul. No woman had ever rated on a level with his dreams. But no other woman had ever shared
them,either.WhichmeantkeepingMirandawasatthetopofhislist.

10.

MirandatoweldriedherbodyandsteppedoverDemon,whojusthadtolieonherdirtyclothes.Thelittle
mutant-lookingdogwashernearly-constantshadowsincearriving,andshelovedhimforit.

SheblewoutthecandlesRaulhadlitbeforeleavinghertosoak.Themanwasanangelorsomething.

He’dtakenhercrazylifeinstrideandpracticallyheldherhandthroughallthetearsandfearslastnight.
Sure,they’donlyknowneachotheraweekandweretakinghugesteps—butitfeltright.Hemadeherfeel
secure.RashaeandMiranda’sparentsweregoingtoflipwhenshetoldthemRaulwasprettymuch
movingin,butshewasfollowingherheartonthis.Evenifitmeantshewassettingherselfupforfailure.
RashaewouldagainpointoutshewasbeingaSugarMama,butshedidn’tcare.Notwhenhewastheonly
thingholdinghertogether.

MaybeRaulwasonlyMr.RightNow,ormaybehewasMr.Right.She’dneverfindoutifsheletfear

crippleher.Movingforwardseemedliketheonlythingshecoulddo.Evenifthatmeantpissingoffher
stalker.Raulmadeherhappywhenlittleelsedid.Thatsicko,notsomuch.Ifthatmeantshespentalittle
moneyonthings,sowhat?

ShewrappedherfuzzyrobearoundherselfandwentinsearchofRaul.
Mirandafoundhimstandingatthesink,hand-dryingacoupleofdishes.
Shesmiledandtiptoedcloser.Shehadn’tcrossedhalfthedistancewhenheturnedaround,oneof

thosewarm,gooeysmilesonhisface.

“Feelbetter?”Heslidthedishintothecabinet.
“Much.You’vebeenbusy.”Colorhershocked.He’dcleanedupalmosteverythingfromtheirlittle

afternoongrillparty,allwhileshe’dsoaked.

“It’scompletelyself-serving.Idon’tintendongettingoffthecouchfortherestoftheweekend.”
Liar.
He’dgojogging,likehedidjustabouteveryevening.Shewouldn’tholditagainsthimthough.

Runningwaswhatkepthimsodamnfit.

Sheliftedup,brushinghislipswithhers.Hisarmswrappedaroundherwaist,pullingherbetweenhis

legsandagainsthischest.

“Youknow,wecouldstayinbedtherestoftheweekend.”Shepeeredupathim,enjoyingthehungry

wayhewatchedher.Itmadeherfeel...desirable.Wanted.

“That’snotabadplan.Infact,weshouldstartnow.”Hestraightenedandbeforeshecouldmove,he

sweptheroffherfeet.

Mirandalaughed.Hewasalwaysdoingthis,asifhelikedhaulingheraround.Ifsheweretooheavy,

orifcarryingherfromroomtoroomwasanysortofstrain,hewasn’tshowingit.Sheleanedagainsthis
shoulder,contenttoplayalong.Aweekago,shewouldhavesquirmedherwaybacktothefloor,butnow,
whatwasthepoint?Shewasrightwhereshewantedtobe.InRaul’sarms.

Hesetherdownonthebed,hisgazeboringdeepintoher.Shecouldfeelhiminhersoul,asifhe

belongedthere.

Raulbenthisheadandsealedhismouthtohers.Shecuppedthebackofhisheadasthewarmthinher

chestspreadlower.

Hepulledback,nippingherlowerlip.

“I’mgoingtogetthelights.”Hestraightened,hisgazesweepingdownherbody,ampinguptheheat

simmeringbelowherskin.

Shewatchedhimleave,trackedhisfootstepstothebackdoor,thentothefront,andupstairs.He

wasn’tjustturningoutthelights.Hewasdoingafull-onsweepofthehouse.Sincecominghome
yesterday,he’dtakenthehouse’ssecurityseriously,andsheadoredhimforit.Heneveroncesecond-
guessedasingleconcernshe’dhad.Hesimplyfiguredouthowtoaddressit.Andnowhehandledthose
worriesbeforesheevenhadthem.

Christ,hewasamazing.
Mirandaslidoutofbed,tornbetweenlightingcandlesorputtingonsomethingalittlesexierthanher

comfyrobe.

“Whatareyoudoing?IthoughtIputyouinbed.”
Shespunaround,caughtoffguardbyRaul’ssuddenreappearance.
Heprowledcloserandcuppedhershoulders,slidinghishandsdowntoherelbows.
“I’mnotgoingtosleepinmyrobe.”Shearchedabrowathim.Somuchformakingasplit-second

decision.

“You’regoingtobed,missy.”Hehookedhisfingersinthebeltandtuggedituntied.Hisgazedipped,

thenhischindropped.

Coolairskateddownhersternumandstomach.Shecurledhertoesintothecarpet,enjoyingthevery

interestedwayhestudiedwhathecouldsee.Averywet,coldthingpressedagainstherankle.

Mirandayelpedanddancedsideways.
ThepugsatatRaul’sfeet,hislittlecurlytailwigglingandhistonguelollingouttooneside.
“Demon,gotoyourbed.”Raulsnappedhisfingersandpointedattheplushdogbedontheotherside

oftheroom...linedwithMiranda’sclothes.Thelittlethief.Thepugmopedhiswayintothepileandlaid
down,atleastonegoogleyeyestillwatchingthem.Raul’sgazereturnedtoher.“Yougoingtosleeplike
that?”

“Whosaidanythingaboutsleeping?”
“It’sbeenacoupleofroughdays.Weshouldsleep.”Hewassayingalltherightthings—because

that’swhatRauldid.Butthewayhestaredather...itwasclearhehadotherideas,too.

“Wecansleeplater.”Shegraspedthehemofhist-shirtandlifted.Hecooperated,raisinghisarms

andlettingherstriptheshirtoff.

“Miranda...”
“What?”shelaidherhandsonhischest.
“Wedon’thaveto,youknow?”
“Iknow,butbeingwithyou...itmakesmefeelalive.”Shekissedhisjawandhisneck.
Shehookedherthumbsintothewaistbandofhisshortsandboxers.
Rightnow,beingwithRaulwastheonlythingthatmadesense.Theyclicked.She’dmuchratherthink

aboutthatthanlieawakeinbed,completelyobsessedwithwhatwasgoingonoutsideofthehouse,the
thingsshecouldn’tcontrol.

Mirandaknelt,takinghisclothestothefloorwithher.Hissemi-erectpeniswasaclearindicationshe

wasn’ttheonlyoneuninterestedinsleeping.Yet.

Sheshruggedoutoftherobeandreachedforhim,wrappingherhandaroundhisshaft.Hehadn’tyet

givenherthechancetodothisyet.Mostlybecauseanytimetheygottheirhandsoneachother,hewasthe
oneincontrol,carryingheraround.Thistime,itwasherturn.

Raul’shandscurledintofists.Holdingback?
Howniceofhim.
Mirandaslidherpalmupthelengthofhiserection,takinghertime.Thefeelofhiminherhand,the

wayhewatchedher...shehadallthepowerhere.

Sheleanedforwardandlickedthebulgingveinalongtheundersideofhiscock.Hemumbled

somethingandhisfingersbrushedhercheek,overherhair,asthoughhewasn’tsurewheretoputhis
hands.Sheswirledhertonguearoundthecrown,payingspecialattentiontotheslit.

Mirandapeeredupathim.Hislipswerepressedtightlytogether,hischeekssunken,andhisstare...her

heartstutteredinherchest.Hewasallpredator,focusedonher.Sheopenedhermouthandslippedhim
inside,strokinghislengthwithherhand.Hisfingerswereonceagaincurledintofists.Shegraspedhis
wrist,tugginghishandtoherhead.

Helaidhispalmagainstthecrownofherhead,histouchgentle.
Sherockedforward,hiscockhitthebackofherthroatandshesucked,groaningaroundhislength.

Raul’smutteredcurseswerelostinhersoundsofenjoyment.Hethrusthisfingersintoherhair,tugging
justalittle,forcingmoreofhimselfpastherlips.Eventhatlittlemotionthrilledher.Shewantedtoplease
him,tomakehimhappy,togivesomethingbacktothiswonderful,selflessman.

Raul’shandtightenedinherhair,pullingheroffhiscock.Sherockedbackontoherheels,lookingup

athim.Hisstarewasfierceandfulloffire.Hehookedhisotherhandunderherarm,half-helping,half-
dragginghertoherfeet.

Shegrinnedandlickedherlips.
Hewalkedherback,hismouthagainstherneck,theirbodiesbrushingandbumping.Everywherehe

touchedherfeltasthoughit’dbeenlickedbyfire.

“Stayrightthere.”Raulgrowledhiswords,makingthembarelyintelligible.Whatwasn’thardto

understandwastheintensewayhestaredather.

Sheleanedbackagainstthewall,herhandssplayed,groundingherselfinthecoolsurface.
Heyankedthenightstanddraweropenandjerkedacondomoffthestrip.Thewaytheyweregoing,

shewasgladhe’dboughtthevaluepack.Shewatchedhimripthepackageopenandwiggledhertoesinto
thecarpetasherolledthelatexon.Hernipplestightened,andherbreastsachedfromarousal.

Raulclosedin,crowdingherback,againstthewall.Heforcedhiskneebetweenherthighs,notthat

sheputupmuchresistance.Hecuppedhermoundandkissedher,thrustinghistonguebetweenherlips.
Shewrappedherarmsaroundhim,rockingagainsthishand.

Withoutbreakingtheirkiss,hebent,graspedherupperthighs,justbelowherass,andlifted.She

gaspedandclungtohisshouldersashehoistedherupagainstthewall.He’ddonethisoncebefore
againstthefridge,butherheartstilltriedtostop.

“I’vegotyou,”hewhisperedagainsthercheek.
Shedidn’tdoubtthathedid.He’dnevercomeclosetodroppingher,andforonceherweightwasn’t

thefirstthingtocometomind.No,thefirstthingthroughhermindwas...athrillofexcitement.

Heheldherthereforamoment,bothofthembreathing,thethreadofdesirestretchedtightbetween

them.Withoutspeaking,heletgoofherwithonehand,hisbodykeepingherpinnedtothewall,andfithis
cockagainsthervagina.Shegrippedhisshouldersalittletighterandeasedthedeathgripshehadonhis
hipswithherthighs.

Raul’shandsheldherwhileheflexedhiships,slidingeasilyintoherbody.Itwasn’tanintrusion,not

anymore.Thefeelofhiminsideofherwas...right.Asthoughhebelonged.Heleanedhisheadforward,
untilhisbrowrestedagainsthers.Gravity,combinedwiththeangleofpenetration,hadhiscockrubbing
anextrasensitivespot.Shewhimperedandarchedherback.

Heshiftedhisgriponher,forcingherkneesopenwider,andthenhemoved,glidinginandoutofher

body.

“Lookatme.”Hislipscaressedhersashespoke.
Shedidn’tknowwhenshe’dclosedhereyes,onlythatshehad.
Mirandaopenedthem,staringdeeplyintoRaul’sgaze.
Ifshe’dthoughthesawintohersoulbefore,nowitwasdeeper.

Hethrust,andherjawdroppedopen.Shewhimpered,nottheleastbitconcernedaboutkeepingthose

noisesin.Thenextthrustrattledtheframesonthewall,whichwasratherhot.Hekeptgoing,drivinginto
herwithasteady,slowneed,strokingthatflameofpassionhotterandhotter.Herbreastsrubbedagainst
hischest,thewiryhairsabradingandticklingherarousedfleshwitheachpass.

ThiswaswhoRaulwas.
Hemightbeslowandsteady,buthewasintent.Onher.Onhisdreams.Andshewasrightwhereshe

wantedtobe.Wrappedaroundhim,partofhislife.

Heleanedin,takinghermouthinademandingkiss.Histhrustsgrewshorter,rougher,needier.
Mirandatossedherheadbackandhislipsblazedatraildownherneck.Heliftedherashethrust,

grindingagainstherclit.

Shemoaned—long,needysounds.
“Comeon,”hewhisperedbetweenkisses.
Hermouthcouldn’tformwords.Shecouldn’ttellhimshewasrightthere.Allshecoulddowashold

onashedroveintoher.

Thecoilofdesiretightenedinherabdomenuntilshethoughtshewasgoingtoburstapart.Shearched

herback,findingjusttherightspot.Raul’scockrubbedagainstherwitheachpass.

Hewhisperedthingstoher,somedirty,somenotsodirty,butwhatmatteredwas—hewasasintoher,

intobeingwithher,asshewasintohim.Shegaspedhisname,shiftingherhips,ridinghimuntilherbody
nearlyburstapart.Themusclesinherabdomenspasmed,hervaginatighteningaroundhimatthesame
momenthegroanedandhisthrustsgrewrougher.

“Lookatme.”
Sheforcedhereyesopenandfeltherselftipping,fallingintolovewithhim.

11.

Twoweekslater...

Raulwipedhishandsonhisrentedtux.

WhenMirandahadsaidfancy“fundraiser”he’dexpectedglassesinsteadofplasticcupsandabutton-

downshirtwithcleanjeansinsteadofscrubs.

Notthis.
HewasjealousofJohn,who’doptedtohangbackbehindthescenestocalmafewoftheirmore

nervouspoochesfortheirmomentsinthespotlight.Therewasnodressinguptheoldbiker.

Raulturnedinacircle,stillbarelyabletobelievewhatMirandahadmadehappeninamonth.
Wherethehellhadallthesepeoplecomefrom,anyway?
ThingshadalmostgoneofftherailswhenMiranda’sfriend’sflightshadbeendelayed,canceled,and

rescheduledduetoaweirdstorm.Heck,he’dbarelybeenabletosaymorethanhitotheminpassing
beforetheshowwason.Sincetheflowersincident,she’dfocusedontheeventwithasingle-minded
determinationthatexhaustedhim.

RaulhadhopedherfriendsarrivingwouldcalmMirandadownabit,butno.They’dreceivedtheir

marchingordersandfellinline.

Herfriendsstuckout.Rashaewasresplendentinsomesortofred,glitteringgown,microphonein

hand,keepingtheattendeesfocusedontheagenda.Piperwassomewhereupinaboothdoingthingswith
music.WhichleftTamaraandherboyfriendtosupervisethesilentauction.Mirandawas...somewhere.
Everywhere.

Hewasgrateful.Hereallywas.Butthiswholethingwasoutofcontrol.Maybewhenthefundraiser

wasover,hecouldhavethewomanhe’dfirstmetbackagain.Notthathedidn’tappreciatewhatshewas
doing,but...hemissedMiranda.

“Thereyouare.”Shepulledthecurtainbackandhecringed.“Whyareyouhiding?”
Guilty.
“Just...takingitallin.”
“It’sturnedoutprettygood,I’dsay.”Shehandedhimafluteofbubblingalcoholandturnedtostand

nexttohim.

“Wheredidyoufindallofthesepeople?”
“Crystal.”
“Who?”
“Thegirlwhoworksforme?Remember?”
“Uh...”HestaredatMiranda,doinghisbesttonotlethisgazedroptohercleavage.She’ddonesome

sortoffemalemagictoboostthemupinthegoldgownshe’ddonnedfortheevening.Tiny,goldencatears
pokedupfromhersilkycurls,aflirty,funadditiontoanotherwisesmoking-hotoutfit.

“Her.”Mirandapointedouttoaclusterofyoungertwenty-somethings.Theyworeeveningattire,but

ina...trendier...style.Onegirlinparticularhadonafullskirtwithbedazzledcatsontheouterlayer.

“Andsheis?”
“Crystal.Oneofmyleadartists.Remember,Itoldyouaboutthethingwiththedeclawing?”
“Oh—right.Shesupportedacharitythatchangedtheirpolicyondeclawingcats.”

“Yeah,andCrystalisahardcoreanti-declawer.Herfamilyisalsofilthyrich,andsinceshe’sahighly

motivatedyoungwoman,shetendstoinspirethatsamekindofpassioninthosearoundher.”

“Right.Neverchangeourpolicyondeclawingandwe’regood.”
“Exactly.”Mirandaclinkedtheirglassestogetherandsipped.
Thereweresomanypeoplehere.Hewasanassfordreadingthisandjustwantingitover.Miranda

hadgonetosomuchwork.Itwastrulyastounding.

“HaveItoldyoulatelyyou’reamazing?”heasked.Hereallywasluckytohaveher.This,allofit,

wasoverwhelming.

“Ithinkyoumighthavesaidsomethinglikethatafewdaysago...Ibelievewewereinthegame

room...”Shepeeredupattheceiling,lipspursed.

“You,”hekissedhercheek,“areamazing.Thisseriouslywouldn’thavehappenedwithoutyou.”
“Well,thegoodnewsisthattheadvancedonationscompletelycoverthatdepositwetalkedabout.”

Mirandagrinned.

“Shutup.”Raulcontinuedtostareather,nowinawe.
They’ddiscussedwhatitwouldtaketomovetherescuefromtherentalhouseintoanactualfacility.

Thenumbershadseemedstackedagainstthem.Sofaroutofreachthathe’dmerelynoddedandsmiled
whileshetalked.Buttothinkitwaswithinreachinonenight?

“Andthemonthlypledgesarelookingpromising.Theautomatedsystemseemstobeworking

wonderfully,sothere’sagoodchancethatbytheendoftonight,you—myhandsomeman—areseveral
stepsclosertomakingthishappen.”

“Wow.Just—Idon’tknowwhattosay.”
“Nothing.Well,tomeanyway.Getoutthereandtalktopeople.You’rethefaceofthiswholething.”

Shegavehimalittlepushoutofthealcove.“And,nottoscareyou,butRashaehashereyesonyou.She’ll
probablycorneryouwhenyouleastexpectit.”

Raulreachedbackandgrabbedherhand.Ifhewasgoingtotalktothesepeople,he’dneedher

guidance.Thiswasn’taworldhewasfamiliarwith,muchlessfluentin.

“Wordofadvice?”Mirandaleanedinclose.“Talktotheoldergeneration.Theytendtobeonthe

lookoutforagoodtaxwrite-offthatwillmakethemlookgood.Theyoungerpeopleareeitherhereto
supportor...getfreebooze.”Shebumpedhim,clearlysteeringhimtowardsomeone.

Halfanhourlaterandalotofsmalltalkunderhisbelt,Raulwasfinallyfeelingasthoughhehada

handleonwhathewasdoing.Majorityofthepeopleinattendancewerelocalbusinessownersandafew
politicianswhoseemedtohavetheirownagenda.TherestwereclearlyMiranda’speople.Thegeeks
whowereassociallyawkwardasRaulfelt,atleastuntiltheygotontothetopicofvideogames.Miranda
movedinandoutofhiscircleofconversation,utterlyateasewithherroleineverything.

“Areyoutheguyinthatpuppypoolvideo?”
Raulturnedtowardayoungwomansippingfromacrystalflute.Everythingabouther,fromherbody-

contouringdresstotheglitteringstrandofgemsacrossherchest,screamedmoney.

“Thatwouldbeme,yes.”Heclaspedhishandsinfrontofhim.Thiswasaconversationthat’d

croppedupafewtimes.Man,howheregrettedlettingMirandatalkhimintodoingafewmoreofthem.
Shesaidthey’dgoneviral,whateverthatmeant.

“Youlookalotdifferentwithsomanyclotheson.”Theyoungwomanhadtobeinhermid-twenties,

andjudgingbythewayshegiggled,thechampagnewastohertaste,atleast.

“I’mnotinthehabitofswimminginatux.”
“You’resosilly.”Sheswattedathisarmanddidalittle...shimmything,scootingcloser.
“Thankyousomuchforcomingouttonight,Miss?”Hethrusthishandtowardher,agoodmovefor

wedgingalittledistancebetweenhimselfandsomeoftheheavierdrinkingguests.

“YoucancallmeSue.”Shegraspedhishandandheldontoit.

“Well,Sue,IneedtofindMiranda.”He’dfoundusingMiranda’snametobeatouchstone,areminder

ofwhathewasdoing,andashieldwhenitcametootherwomen.

“Who’sshe?”Suewrinkledhernose.
“Uh...thewomanoverthere?Golddress?”Mirandawasblissfullyunawareofhimorhissilentplea

forrescue.

“Oh,issheyourassistantorsomething?”Suewasnotgettingthepoint.Atall.
“No,she’smygirlfriend.”RaulkepthiseyesonMiranda.Shereallywasstunning.Andhewasdamn

luckytohaveherinhislife.

“Her?She’skindof...fat.”
IfRaulhadhackles,they’dbeup.
HeturnedslowlytowardSue.Shehadherchintippedup,regardinghim...likehisexhad.Asathing.

Notaperson.Andthatwasn’teventouchingonSue’sbitchycommentaboutawomanwithtentimesthe
successandbeauty.

“She’sthemostbeautifulwomaninthisroom.”RaulsqueezedSue’shandonce,andtwistedoutofher

grasp.“Haveagoodevening.”

Whathereallywantedtosaywas,Gofuckyourself,butMirandawouldhavehisballsforastatement

likethat.She’dmadeitinfinitelyclearthatthegoaltonightwasraisingfunds,notmakingfriends.

Hestrodeacrosstheroom,skirtingseveralgroupsandmerelynoddingtoafewpeoplewhocalledhis

name.

“Holdupthere,loverboy.”Onered,glitteringglove-encasedhandplantedinthemiddleofhischest.

Rashaecockedherhip,shiftingbetweenhimandMiranda.

Crap.He’dknownthiswascoming.
“Rashae.Nicetomeetyou.Sorrytherehasn’tbeentimetoreallytalk.”
“Mm-hmm.What’dpeachesn’creamovertherehavetosaythat’sgotyoustormingacrossthisroom?”

Rashaemissednothing.

“Nothing.”Raulscrubbedahandacrosshisface.
“Right.Whatevershesaidtoyou,it’salloveryourface,sowipeitoffbeforeMirandaseesit.She’s

sensitivelikethat.”

“Fuck.”Raulshifted,puttinghisbacktowardMiranda.
“Whathappened?”
“Nothing,justabitchygirl.”
“Oh,letmeguess?”Rashaesmiledandflippedherhair.“You’retoohottobewithher.Bewithme

instead.”

Raulstared.
“Please,Iseeitallthetime.Andyoudonotgoovertheretosweet,sensitiveMirandawiththatlook

onyourface.”Sheleanedincloser.“What’dyousaytothebitch?”

“NotwhatIwantedto,that’sforsure.”Hegrumbledafewchoicewords.
“Damn,Iwashopingyousaidittoherface.”
“Mirandatoldmenotto.”
“Oh,you’repouting.That’salmostcute.”
WhathadhetoldMirandahe’dsaytoRashae’sface?It’dbeenawhile...
“Gofuckyourself,”hesaid.
Rashaetippedherheadbackandlaughed,thesoundloud,booming.Hesnickered.Thewayshe

laughedwasinfectious.

“You’reallright,DrC.”Rashaesmackedhisshoulderwithafolded,redfanthatmatchedherdress.

SheglancedatMirandaandleanedcloser.“How’sshedoing?Forreal.”

Raulopenedandclosedhismouth.

“Seriously.Tellme.What’sgoingon?”Rashae’sgazewasrazorsharp.
“She’s...I’mworriedshe’sfocusingonthis—allofit—insteadof,youknow.”
“Thestalkerthing.”
“Yeah.”
“Icanseewhyshe’dwanttothrowherselfintosomethingthatmakesherhappyinsteadoflivingin

thatnightmare.”

“Yeah,Ijustworryabouther.”
“Andthat’swhyyou’reallright,Dr.C.Ihadmydoubtsaboutyou,butyouseemtobeaprettyokay

guy.”

“AmIrightthough?”
“Tobeworriedabouther?”
“Yeah.”
“Iam,too,but...You,andthis,makeherhappy.It’sbeenalongtimesinceMirandahadanything

outsideofworktobehappyabout,soIwon’ttakethatawayfromher.”

“Okay.”Raulblewoutabreath.
“What’sbotheringyou?”
“Nothing.”
Rashaestaredathim.
Raulrolledhiseyes.
“Fine.Ijust...I’mworriedabouther.Andthis.Allofit.Iwantittobeaboutusanddoingsomething

good.Not...thebadstuff.”

“Itisgood,andI’mgladyou’reawarethatMirandacangoover-board.That’swhywe’rehere.To

pullherback.”

Raulnoddedandthestressofitallfelloffhisshoulders.Hewasn’ttheonlyonelookingoutfor

Miranda,andthatmattered.

“We’llhavetohangoutlater,”Rashaesaid.
“Cool.”HeblinkedafewtimesasRashaesashayedaway,notentirelysurewhathadjusthappened.

Werethey...friendsnow?Thetensionhe’dfeltinhisshoulderswasgone.Yeah,Suewasstillabitch,but
thatwasn’thisproblem.

Raulturned,searchingagainforMiranda.
There.
Hestrolledtowardher,admiringhersmile,thewayshe...glowed.
Mirandaglancedathimonceasheclosedinonher,thendidadoubletake.
“Raul—”
Hewrappedhisarmaroundherwaistandpressedabrief,chastekisstoherredlips.Hepulledback,

givingthemanshewastalkingtoasheepishsmile.

“Sorryfortheinterruption.”HeofferedhishandandkepthisarmaroundMiranda’swaist.Itjustso

happenedshefitperfectlyagainsthim.“Hi,I’mRaul.”

“Raul—thisisCliff.”Mirandapressedherhandagainsthischest.“Technically,he’smyboss.”
Well,shit.
Firstimpressions,apparently,weren’thisstrongsuit.
Frankhungback,keepingmostlytohimself.Heknewagoodmajorityofpeopleintheroom,but

tonightwasaboutobservingMirandainallherglory.

He’drecognizedherpotentialyearsago.Watchinghergrow,mature,andsucceedwasoneofthemost

satisfactorythings.Butshe’dgoneofftherailssomewhere.It’dneverbeenclearerthanrightnow,what
withthatpieceoftrashclingingtoherside.

Theemcee,Rashae,tooktothestageafterabrieftouraroundtheroom.Leaveittohertoshowupat

aneveningeventstillincosplay.Granted,mostofthepeopleinattendancewouldn’trecognizetheSailor
Marsformalgown,buthedid.

HewasreallygoingtohavetotalktoMirandaaboutthecompanyshekept.Whileheadoredhowshe

usedhermindtocreateimmersivegameexperiences,itwaspasttimeshegrewup.Alot.

Onebyone,thewinnersoftheauctionwereannounced,theirdonationsapplauded,andpraiserained

downuponthenarcissisticcompany.Whenitcamehisturn,hemerelynoddedandhungbackwhilethe
finalannouncementsweremade.

“Frank,sogoodtoseeyouhere!”Mirandasteppedthroughthecrowdandhisheartmelted.
“YouthoughtI’dmissthis?”Heheldouthisarm,butinsteadofgivinghimhishug,sheclaspedhis

handinstead.There’dbeenadaywhenshe’dturnedtohimforsupport.Andthiswashowshetreatedhim
now?

“It’sfantastic,isn’tit?Thankyouagainforcoming.”Shesqueezedhishandagain,andwasgone,the

crowdclosingranksaroundher.

Thefucktheywereover.
Thiswasunacceptable.
ItwastimetohavemorethanachatwithMiranda.Itwastimetoreinherinandputherinherplace.
Hestrolledaroundtheperimeteroftheroomtowardthebrownone.Raul.Thefuckingboyfriend

impersonator.

ThiswaswhoMirandahadletintoherlife?
Foramoment,Frankwatchedtheyoungerman.Heturnedinplace,shakinghands,andspeakingto

peoplewithaslightlynervousedge.Hewasn’tatallthekindofmanwhodeservedagemlikeMiranda,
butFrankwouldtakecareofthat.

ThecrowdaroundRaulthinnedandFranksteppedin.
“Dr.C,congratulationsontonight.”FrankclappedRaulontheshoulder,morethanalittlegratifiedby

howtheothermanjumped.

“No,thankyou.Fromthesoundofit,you’retherealwinner.CongratulationsonwinningtheDrudge

conceptpackage.”RaulclaspedFrank’shand,givingitafirmsinglepump.

“I’vebeenafanofMiranda’sworkfromthebeginning.”
“Oh,really?”
“Yes.”Frankgrithisteeth.Shehadn’tevenmentionedhim?“Say,Ihaveapropositionforyou.”
“Okay...?”Raulshovedhishandsinhispocketsandshiftedhisweight.Little,uncomfortabletells.
“WhatwouldyousayifIofferedtodoublemydonationifyouthrewindinnerwiththebrainbehind

thegame?”

“Doubleit?”Raul’sbrowsrose.
“Sure.Butonlyfordinner.”
“That—wow—thatsoundsamazing.”
Frankofferedhishand.
Theidiotwouldsellhissoulfortherightprice.
Mirandacollapsedontothesofainthegreenroom.RashaewasalreadystrippingoutofherSailor

Moonget-uptogoplaywiththepuppies,andbothPiperandTamarawerenotyetdonewithsitting
aroundandkeepingtheirfeetup.

“Hey,thanksagainforbringingSteven.Hewasahugehit.”Mirandaswiggedsomewater.Shenever

drankenoughattheseeventstokeephydrated.

“Oh—please.Helovedthisstuff.”Tamararolledhereyes,butthesmilewasthetruetell.Shewas

happy.

“I’monlysorryKobedidn’tgettocomewith.Whathappened,Piper?”Mirandaturnedherheadin

timetocatchPiper’sgrimace.

“He’sbeingweird.”Shesighed.
“What’supwithhim,anyway?Didn’thebreakupwithyouaweekago?”Rashaecrammedherfeet

intoslip-ons,butwasotherwisereadytogorollwiththepuppies.

“Yeah.It’s...Idon’tknow.AnytimeIthinkthingsaregood,hesortofdisappears.IknowItoldhimI

wantedtokeepthingscasual,butthisyo-yoon-again-off-againisseriouslytryingmypatience.”Piper
pushedtoherfeet,thenwiggledoutofherdress.

“Didyoumeethimyet?”MirandaaskedTamara.
“Uh,yeah,wedidadoubledateaweekago,”Tamarasaidslowly.
TherewassomethingTamarawasn’tsharing.Becauseshedidn’twanttohurtPiper’sfeelings?Or

becauseshehadsuspicionsshecouldn’tbackup?Whateveritwas,Mirandawouldhavetoworryaboutit
anothernight.Theyhadthewholeeventtopackup,aswellasdozensofanimalstocarthomeandto
fosterparents.Shewasn’tgoingtogettorollintobeduntiltheearlymorninghours.

Mirandachangedintoyogapants,ahoodie,andflip-flopsbeforebravingtheballroom.
Shewasoverjoyedwithwhatthey’dpulledoff,buttherealworkwasabouttobegin.Withthe

necessaryfundsinplace,theycouldpushthepaperworkthrough,signthelease,andgetthefosterbabies
intoamorecontrolledenvironment.Somanythingstodo,andthatwasn’teventakingintoaccountherjob
orthethingsshehadcomingup.

“Hey,thereyouare.”Raulwaylaidherinthehallway.
“Hey,you.What’sup?”Mirandaturnedintohisarms,slidinghersuparoundhisneck.Thingshad

beentensebetweenthemoverthelastweekorso.Shewashopingthingswouldsmoothoutnowthatthe
eventwasbehindthem.

“TheguywhowontheDrudgeconceptset?”
“Frank?”
“Yeah.Frankdoubledhisdonation.”
“Oh?”Mirandadreadedthatsentence.Frankwas...hewasagoodguy,buthesetoffhercreep-o-

meter,eventhoughhe’dneverdoneanythingwrong.Infact,he’dalwaysencouragedher,evenintheearly
days.

“Hejustwantedtohavedinnerandtalkthegameoverwithyou.”
“What?”Mirandashookherheadandherstomachchurned.“No.”
“But...youweren’tansweringyourphone.Ialreadysaidyes...”
“What?Whywouldyoudothat?”Mirandasteppedback,outofRaul’sembrace.
“Yousaid...earlieryousaidtodowhateverittookfor—”
“Yeah,smile,endureweirdconversations,putupwithpeoplefortonight—notauctionyourgirlfriend

offtosomeoneyoudon’tevenknow.”

“He...but...hesoundedlikeyouwerefriends...”
“That’snotthepoint.Youdon’tknowanythingaboutFrank.Whoheis.Whatifhewassomepsycho

killerweirdoandyoujustsoldyourgirlfriendtohim?”

“Ididnotsellyou.Hewanteddinnerandgametalk.”
“Youputapricetagonme.”
“No,nothat’snotwhatIdid.”
“I’mnotdoingthat.No.”
“Healreadywroteacheck.Ican’tgivethatback.”
“Well,I’mnotgoingonadate—becausethat’swhatFrankwillseeitas—formoney.”
“Miranda.”Raultookasteptowardherandshebackedup,excepthislegswerelonger,andthewall

trappedher.Hegraspedherhands,hisbrowlined,lipsturneddown.

Shecouldn’treconcilethesweet,kindmanshe’dcometoknowwiththisperson.Theonewho’dsell

hertothehighestbidder.Foragoodcause,butstill.Shouldn’tshegetasayinthis?Thewholethingfelt
likeanawfulviolationofhersafety.Ofhertrust.He’dcompletelylostsightofthem.Theonlythingthat
reallymatteredtoRaulwashisrescue.Asmuchasshelovedhimforbeingthisselflesswhenitcameto
animals,italsostungtorealizewheresherated.She’dnevermatterenoughtohim.

Inthatmoment,sheunderstoodhisex-fiancé.NotthatMirandawouldstealShivaorDemon,butshe

gotit.Anditsuckedtobesmackedinthefacebyreality.

Shewasbeingthesugarmamaagain.
Raulhadn’tneededtoask.She’dthrownherselfintotheexactsamerolealloveragain.Andforwhat?

Amanwhowouldneverloveherasmuchasshelovedhim.

Shelovedhim.
Mirandahadn’tadmittedittoherselfbutshe’dfallenforhimthenighthetookherhomeafterher

stalkersenthertheflowers.He’dheldherwhileshebawled,andinthatmomentshe’dfallenforhim.But
hedidn’tloveher.Andmaybeheneverwould.

“Therehastobeasolution.Yousaidtodowhateverittooktogetthebiggestdollaramountfrom

peopletonight,sothatwaswhatIusedasmyguidewhenIcouldn’tgetyouonthephone.”Hesqueezed
herhands.

“WherewasIsupposedtokeepaphoneinthatdress?”
“Ishouldhaveaskedyoufirst.What’sdoneisdone.Can’twefigureoutasolution?WhatifIgowith

you?It’snotadateifyourboyfriendisthere.”

AneveningspentwithFrankstillsoundedlikeanawkward,miserablewaytopassthetime.Buthe

washarmless.Hell,she’dknownhimsinceshewasakid.Herfatherusedtoworkinthesamebuilding
withFrank,whichwashowthey’dmet.Frankhadtoomuchmoneyandaneyeforinvesting.She’dneeded
backersforwhatwouldbeafailedendeavor,butFrankhadbelievedinher.

Itwasn’tasifRaulwereaskinghertodateherstalker.Frankwastoo...awkwardforsomethinglike

that.

“Fine.We’llallgoouttogether.”
“See?AndifhesaysanythingaboutitnotbeingwhatheexpectedI’lljusttellhimhemisunderstood.

Problemsolved.”Raulbent,pressingakisstoherbrow.

Itwastheperfectsolution,buthergutstillsaiditwasabadidea.Allofit.

12.

RaultrudgedupthestepstoMiranda’shouse,sweatandcoolraindrippingoffhim.He’dthoughtarun
mighthelphimfindtheanswersheneededafterspendingthelastfewdays—sincethefundraiserandthe
girl’sleaving—inafunk.Nosuchluck.

Thingsshouldbeawesome.
Thefundraiserhadsolvedtheirmoneyproblemsacrosstheboard.
Thisshouldbethemostexcitingperiodofhislife.Theywerefillingoutthepaperwork,they’dtoured

threepossiblesites,andyet,everytimehelookedatMirandahefeltasthougheverythingthatmattered
wascrumblingaroundhim.

Hefitthekeyinthelockandlethimselfintothehouse.
Thefrontroomwasdark.Shivayawnedathimfromthesofa.Lolaandthebabieswereupstairs,now

thatthekittenswereintotheextremelymobileanddestructivestage.Hecrossedintothekitchen,peering
intothedimbedroom.Miranda’sfacewasup-litbyherlaptopscreen.Judgingbyhowloudlyshebanged
thekeys,shewaseitherwritingor...something.

Rauldranksomewaterwhilehemulledoverhisoptions.
Hecouldleavethingsbe,holdonfortheride,andhopeMiranda’sruffledfeatherssettledontheir

own.

OrhecouldaskMiranda,yetagain,whatwasbotheringher.
He’dattemptedtodiscusstheauctionfiascowithher.Sofar,she’dstonewalledhim.
Therewasnowinningthis,notuntilMirandachosetotalktohimaboutit.Andthatkilledhim.All

becauseofastupiddinnerwithsomeoneshealreadyknew.

Fuck.
Ifhecouldgobackandsayno...
Butthatmoneywasgoingtobuythemsomeveryexpensiveequipment...
Mirandawasworthmoretohimthanequipment,butthosemachinesmightbethedifferencein

decidingifhecouldquittheclinicandworktherescuefulltime.

Shit.
Therewasnoeasyanswer.
Heputthecupinthesink,didaquickonce-overofthehouse,ensuringallthewindowsanddoors

werelocked,thenbravedthebedroom.

“Hey,babe.How’sthewritinggoing?”
“I’mnotwriting.”Hertonewasflat,andshedidn’tevenglanceupathim.
Whatthehellwashesupposedtodo?
Raulsteppedintothebathroom.Heneededashower.Thenhe’dprobablygogetafewgamesinwhile

sheslept.Workinghisfrustrationoutonimaginarycharacterswasfarmoreproductivethanhavingitout
withMiranda.Except...theyweresupposedtobeinthistogether.Whycouldn’thesharethemostexciting
timeofhislifewithheranymore?Hewouldn’tbeherewithouther.

“Whatareyouupto?”Heleanedonthebathroomdoor,wishingthepathbacktoherwassoclearly

marked.

“Nothing.”
“Okay.”

Shecontinuedtotype,clearlydoingsomething,butnothingshe’dsharewithhim.Anymore.
Aweekagothatwouldn’tbethecase.She’dhavebabbledathimaboutideasandthingstheywere

goingtodotogether.

Butitwasnow.
Thingsweredifferent.
“Canwetalk?”heasked.
“What’sup?”Shedidn’tevenglanceupfromthescreen.
“Willyoustoptypingandtalktome?”
Mirandatappedthekeysafewmoretimesbeforefoldingherhandsoverherlapandspearinghim

withalookhecouldonlycallcautious.

“Areyoustillupsetabouttheauctionthing?”Afterdiscussingitandcomingtoanagreement,he’d

thoughtthewholeincidentwasbehindthem.He’davoidedthesubject,hopingafewdaysnottalking
aboutitwouldsmoothmattersover.Nowhecouldtellthatwasexactlytheoppositeofwhatheshould
havedone,andtheywerefarfrombeingonthesamepage.

“Yes.”
Nohesitation.
Nobeatingaroundthebush.
Heappreciatedthat.
“Okay.”Hecrossedtothesideofthebedandsatnexttoherfeet.Demongavehimaone-eyedglare.It

wasclearhisdoghadafavorite,anditwasn’thimanymore.“Canwetalkaboutit?”

“Whatistheretosayyouhaven’talreadysaid?Ishouldn’tbeupsetbecauseyouonlydidwhatIsaid

todo,andI’dbehavingdinnerwithafriendanyway,isthataboutit?”

Raulwinced.Yup.Thosewerehiswords.Hisveryincorrectwords,itwouldappear.
“Iclearlydidn’tunderstandthefullpicturehere.Canyouexplaintomewhyyou’restillupsetwith

me?”Hesethishandsonherfeet,herblanket-coveredfeet,butstillher.Itwasaboutasmuchcontactas
she’dpermittedthelastfewdays.

“Myproblemisthatyouseezeroissuewiththrowingyourgirlfriendinforabargain.Yousawaway

tomakemoremoneybyusingme.Me.”Shejabbedherfingeratherchest.“Youneverstoppedtothink
abouthowI’dfeelaboutit.”

“IthoughtIwasdoingwhatyouwanted.IgetthatImadethewrongcallnow,andagain—I’msorry.

Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”

“Iwantyoutothinkaboutme.”
“Iam.That’swhyI’mtryingtotalktoyou.”
“No,you’retryingtofigureouthowtohaveyourcakeandeatit,too.”
“What’sthatsupposedtomean?Miranda,you’reclearlyupsetaboutsomethingI’mnotgetting.”
“Fine.Youwantmetospellitoutforyou?You’resoinlovewiththisrescuethatyou’lluseanyoneto

getwhatyouwant.Andinthiscase—youusedme.AndIdon’tlikeit.”

“I—what?No.Ineveraskedyoutodoanyofthis.Youpracticallyhadthewholethingorganizedand

donebeforeIevenknewaboutit.Thelastthingyougotmyinputonwasthedamnwebsiteamonthago.”

“BecauseIdidn’tunderstandyourworldorder.Therescue.Theneveryoneelse.IthoughtIactually

matteredtoyou.”

“No.That’snotthedeal.IthoughtIwasdoingwhatyouwanted.”
“AndlettingsomedumbbimbostickherhandsdownyourpantswaswhatIwanted?”
“What?”
“Yeah.Pipergotthatonvideo.”
“The—thatredhead?No.”Raulshookhishead.“Shereachedformyhandinmypocket.Istepped

back,Itoldherno,andIwentstraighttoyou.”

“Younevertoldmeaboutthat.”
“Ididn’tknowIwassupposedtoreporteveryinstanceofsomeonehittingonmetoyou.”
“Whateverittakestogetthemoney,right?”Mirandarolledhereyes.
“Thisisn’tfair.You’repissedatmebecauseImisunderstoodwhatyousaidtodo.Iownthat.Ihave

apologizedeveryfuckingdayformyscrewup.Frankistotallyfinewithmetaggingalongfordinner.I
don’tknowwhatelsetodotomakeyouhappy,Miranda.Therescuedoesnotmattermorethanyou.Ifyou
wantmetotellyoueverytimesomewomanI’mnotattractedtohitsonme—fine.”

“Whywouldn’tyoutellmeaboutthat?”
“Theredhead?”
“Yes.”
“Becauseshewasdrunkandembarrassingherself.”
“Andthatdoesn’tevenrateamention?”
“No,becauseafterIwalkedawayIforgotaboutit.”
“ThenwhydoyouknowexactlywhatI’mtalkingabout?”
“Shit.Whatdoyouwantmetosay?I’msorry.Wouldyoulikemetolistouttheothercompletely

inappropriateencountersoftheevening?”

“Thereweremore?”
“Yeah,Idon’tknowwhothefuckbroughtsomeofthosewomenin,buttheyhadnoboundaries.”
“Whathappened?”
“Besideshands-down-my-pants?Therewassomerichbimbowhothoughtshecouldtellmetofuck

herandI’ddoitformoney.Thentherewasthechickwhocompletelydisrespectedyou—tomyface.And
threeotherairheadswhocouldn’tseemtocomprehendthewordsI’mdatingsomeone,nothanks.”

“Wow,youmustfeellikerealhotshit.”Mirandacrossedherarmsacrossherchest.Neveragood

sign.

“No.No,that’snotwhatIfeellike.Shit?Yes.DoIfeelgoodaboutit?No.Hellno.”
“Mustbesohardbeingyou.”
“Youwanttobepissedatme,don’tyou?NothingIsayisgoingtofixthis,isit?”
Miranda’sglarecoulddrawblood.
Haddrawnblood.
Well,hewasn’tgoingtosithereandbleedforheramusement.
“I’msleepingonthecouch.”
Raulpushedtohisfeetandstormedintothelivingroom,pacingbackandforth.
Howdidhefixthis?Howhadhesomonumentallyscrewedthingsupinonenightwithouteventrying?
Mirandapresseddialtotheclinic’snumber.
Again.
“Hi,Jen,it’sMiranda.Again.”
“Hey!Raul’sstillnotoutofsurgery,I’msorry.”
Shit.
MirandastaredupatthefancybuildingshewasduetomeetbothFrankandRaulat.
“Howlongdoyouthinkhe’llbe?”sheasked.
“He’shadmecallingtheemergencysurgeonforthelastfourhours.He’sreallytryingtogetoutof

here,but...”

“Okay,thanksforlettingmeknow.”
Mirandahungupandbitherlip.Again.
Foralltheirfightingthisweek,hewasstilltheonepersonshewantednearby.Especiallynow.
TherewasnologicalreasonforFranktogiveherthecreeps.She’dknownthemanforoverfifteen

years.Whatwasthebigdeal?

Andyet,hergutstillsaidtorun.Togohome,lockthedoorsandwaitforRaultogetthere.
Butthatwassilly,wasn’tit?
Behavinglikethatmeantherstalkerwon.Itwouldalienateher,keepheralone,scared...
No.Shehadtosuckitupanddealwithlife.Thesamewayshe’dbeendoingthingssincebeforeRaul,

thoughhemadehandlingitinfinitelybetter.

Sheblewoutabreath,tappedoutatexttoRaul,andgatheredherthings.
Itwasjustdinner.
She’dbefine.
Ifnothingelse,maybeshecouldfinallyputthiswholethingbehindher.Yes,shewasmadandhurtat

Raul,buttherewasonlysomuchmileageasinglemisunderstandingcouldget.Except,thenshelookedat
Raulandshegotsocrazymadalloveragain.Itmadenosense,andyetitdidbecausethisthingwithhim
mattered.

Tonightwhenshegothome,itwouldbedifferent.
Shehadtopromiseherselfthat.
ShewasinlovewithRaul.
Hemightneverbecapableoflovingherbackthewayshelovedhim,butinthegrandschemeof

things,maybeitwasworthitifitmeantshewouldn’tbealoneanymore.

Shelockedhercar,pushedhershouldersback,andstrodeupthewalktothefrontdoors.Theplace

wassomesortofsmalleventsite.Frankhadmentionedsomethingabouthiringaprivatechefandmaking
useoftheviewingroomtoreallyappreciatetheDrudgeconcepts.Frankwasatrueeccentric—intelligent,
strange,andbrilliant.Therewasnounderstandinghimsometimes,whichwashalfhischarm.Orhad
been.Somewherealongthewayhe’dbecomecreepy.

Mirandaapproachedthefrostedglassdoorsandletherselfin.
Thestrandsoffamiliarmusicmadehersmile.
She’dneverrealizedFrankwassointotheDrudgegames.He’ddiscouragedherfromstartingGrunge

Gamessohardshe’dalwaysassumedhedidn’tlikethedirectionshe’dtakenthings.Itwasnicetofind
outshewaswrong.

Whatelsewasshewrongabout?
“Frank?Youhere?”Mirandawanderedthroughthenarrowentryandintothemainspace.
Shepaused,sputteringalaugh.
Onesideoftheareahadanopen,galleykitchenandbar.Frankstoodbehindtherange,flameslicking

uparoundafryingpan.Hehadanapronwrappedaroundhimself.

“Miranda!Comein.Haveaseat.I’mjusttinkeringaroundabit.Youlikescallops,don’tyou?”Frank

flippedlittlewhitediscswrappedinwhatappearedtobecrispybaconontoaplate,whereparsleyleaves
werealreadyplaced.

“Thatlooks...delicious.”Sheslidontoastoolwithineasyreachoftheplate.
“Hopeyouthinkso.”Frankglancedupandsmiled.Theyearshadbeenkindtohim.Despitehisfailing

senseofstyle,he’dagedintoadashingsilverfox.“Waituntiltheycoolabit.”

“Thisisfantastic.”Shestudiedtheroomandtheviewofthewaterwiththesunsettingonthehorizon,

paintingthecloudsinanepiccolorscheme.“How’dyoufindthisplace?”

“Iknowtheowner.”
“Oh.”Sheleanedoverthebar,peeringatwhathehadlaidout.“Areyoudoingallthecooking?”
Shit.She’dkindofhopedtheycouldtalkastheyate,eventhoughFrankwasaone-thing-at-a-timekind

ofguy.Ifshehadtowaitforhimtocook,eat,andfinallygooverthegame...shecouldbeherealldamn
night.

“It’saspecialoccasion.”Heglancedup,hissmilealittlechilly.“Ididn’twanttoshareitwithanyone

else.”

Mirandafoughtagainstashiver.
“Raul’ssorryaboutbeingsolate.Therewasanemergencyattheclinic.He’llbehereassoonashe

can.”Shepinchedthecharmatherneckandsaidasilentprayer.

Frankignoredherstatementinfavorofpouringthemeachaglassofwine.Shewasn’tkeenon

drinkingtonight,butsheacceptedtheglassregardless.

“How’syourfamily?”Frankasked.
“Good.Dad’senjoyingretirement.Ithinkmom’sreadytogethimoutofthehouse.”
“Whatdoyouthinkofthewine?”Heleanedagainstthecounter,peeringatherglass.
Well,crap.
Sheliftedtheglasstoherlips,lettingtheliquidsloshonhermouth,butkepthertastetothebarest

minimum.

God,itwasawfulstuff,butthewayFrankwaswatchinghermadeherwonderjusthowmuchthe

bottlehadsethimback.Whywasitthemostexpensivewinesalwaysseemedtotastelikeass?Maybeshe
wasn’tsophisticatedenoughforwine.

“That’sgood.”Shesettheglassdownandfoldedherhandsaroundthestem.
“I’mgladyoulikeit.”Frankpickeduptheknifeandsetaboutchoppingmorethings.
Mirandadrewcirclesonthecountertopandglancedatherphone,buttherewerenonewmessages.

PartofherfeltrottenforbeingfrustratedwithRaul.Hecouldn’thelpthatanemergencyhadhappened,but
hecouldhopefullyfixtheanimal.God,shewasbeingselfish.

“Youlooklovelytonight.”Frank’swordsstartledMirandaoutofherspiralingthoughts.
“Thankyou.”
“You’vegrownintosuchabeautifulwoman.I’llneverforgetthefirsttimeIsawyou.”Frankchuckled

andshookhishead,knifemovingamileaminuteashechopped.“Ithinkyouwere—eighteen?Company
party.Youhadonshortsandashreddedupshirt.”

Mirandagulped.Comingfromanyoneelse,thatwouldbecreepy.
No.Itwasstillcreepy.
Frank’sgazeliftedfromthecuttingboardtoherbreasts.
“It’snicetoseesomethingshavegottenbetterwithage.”
“Okay,I’mgoingtocallRaulrealquicktoseewhereheis.”
Holyhell,whathadgottenintoFrank?
Thenextthinghe’dsayisthatitwassuchashamethey’dnever—
“Youknow,it’sstrangethatwe’veneverdatedbeforenow,”hesaidcasually.
Mirandashivered.
Frankwasasoldasherfather.Herdad.ThemanFrankhadbeenfriendswith.Itwaswaymorethan

Mirandacouldhandle.

Shepickedupherphoneandclutch.
“Raul—”
“Stopsayingthatname.”Frank’svoiceboomedintheemptyspace.Heslammedtheknifedown,his

gazespearinghertothespot.

MirandastartedandstaredbackatFrank.Frankyankedattheapronstringsandstalkedaroundthe

bar.

She’dknownthemanforhalfherlife,andhe’dalwaysbeenalittleodd.Butneverlikethis.
Thiswasamanshedidn’tknow.Hewasn’tthesameFrankshe’dlearnedhowtodealwithbecause

hewasherfather’sfriend.Hewassomeoneelse.Someoneverythreatening.

“Frank,let’stalkaboutthis.”Mirandabackedtowardthedoor,herpulsejumpingandhandsbeginning

tosweat.

“Youkeepthrowingthatman’snamearound,butdoyouevenknowhim?Howisapoorveterinarian

supposedtotakecareofyou?Hecan’teventakecareofhimself!Lookatwhatyou’vedoneforhim.That
fundraiser.Thestringsyoupulledtogetsomeonetotaketheirapplicationseriously.Howissomeonelike
thatsupposedtoreturnthefavor?”Frank’sfacewasrednow.Aveinbulgedonhisforehead.

Wait—what?
“Howdoyouknowthat?”Mirandahadn’tbreathedawordaboutchattingupanacquaintance.Notto

anyone.

“I’mtheonlyonewhohasevercaredaboutyou.”Franksmackedhisfistagainsthischestandrounded

theendofthebar,comingtoastoplessthanafootaway.

“Whothehellareyoutalkingto?Howdoyouknowabouttheapplication?”Sheproddedhischest

withherfinger.

“Eversinceyouwerestartingout,it’sbeenmewhoguidedyou.Mewhomadeyourdreamspossible.

Me.Me.Me!Isendyouflowersandpresents,anddoyouevennotice?”

Flowers.
Theflowers.
Thoserandompackagesshe’dgotteninthemail.
OhGod...
“Frank?”Mirandabackedaway,butFranks’stridewaslonger.
Hegrabbedherbythearmsandshookher.
“Whydoyoualwaysdothingsthehardway?Whycan’tyoujustdowhatyou’resupposedto?”He

wasyellingnow,hisbreathonhercheek,hisfingersdiggingintoherarms.

It’dbeenFrankallalong.Herfatherhaddrivenhimbytoshowoffherhouse.He’dbeenonthe

fringesofherlifeforyears.

ItwasFrank.
Notsomenameless,facelessstranger.
ItwasFrank.
Hepushedherbacktothebarandleanedagainsther.
“Frank—no.Stopit,Frank!”Shepushedathischest,buthehadagoodfootofheightonherandfar

moremuscle.

He’dbeeninherbedroom.Watchinghersleep.
“I’mtheonlyonewhohaseverlovedyou,Miranda.”Hebenthishead.
Hewasgoingtokissher.
“No!Stop—Frank—no!”
Hislipsgrazedhercheek.Shewasgoingtobesick.
Herstupidheelsslippedandshewascaught,supportedonlybyFrank’sbodyandhisgriponher.
Frank’smouthslidtohers.
Mirandashudderedandsmackedhimintheheadwithherphone.Shekicked,losingoneshoebuther

kneeconnectedwiththesofttissueofhisgroin.

Frankstaggeredback,onehandathiscrotch,eyesbulging.
Mirandasatdownhard.
Thisman—thispersonherfamilyhadinvitedover,treatedlikeafriend—wastheonewho’dnotonly

brokenintoherhome,butviolatedherprivacy.

Shegrabbedherlostshoe,kickedtheotheroff,andstood.
Allthetimesshe’dfearedgoingoutatnight,she’dwonderedifthepeopletakingherpicturewere

him,thenightmaresshe’dlivedwith—theywerebecauseofhim.Ragegaveherlaserfocus.Shetooka
stepandswungwiththeshoe,rammingthethree-inchspikeintohisface.Frankyelledandflailed,the
backofhishandhittinghercheek,butshehardlyfeltit.

Tamarahadinsistedonteachingallthegirlsshecameintocontactwiththebasicsofself-defense.

Mirandahadpaidattention.

ShegrabbedFrank’swrist,plantedherfeetlikeTamarahadtaughther,twistedandturned.Theman

flippedoverhershoulder,landingonhisbackwithagruntandacrackofskull-on-tile.

“Youcrazymotherfucker.Doyouknowwhatyou’vedonetome?”ShekickedFrank’sribs.
Hewrappedhishandaroundherankleandpulled.Mirandatwisted,goingdownononeknee,her

rightlegstretchedoutbehindher.Frankgrabbedherknee,thenherhip.Shechokedoutasoband
elbowedhimrightintheface,buthisgripdidn’tloosen.

Shehadtogetaway.
Herphonelayonthefloorafewinchesoutofhergrasp.
Mirandathrewherweightforward,draggingbothFrankandherthosepreciousfewinches.
SheswipedherfingerandjabbedattheInCaseofEmergencyapp,theoneshe’ddownloadedanage

ago.Thecallscreenlitup,connectingto9-1-1automatically.

Frankdugahandintoherhairandyankedback.Sheshouted,thepainstabbingherinthetemples.
Hewasontopofhernow.
Sheclawed,thrashing,Tamara’svoiceinthebackofhermindspurringheron—tofight.
Mirandascreamed,prayingtheoperatorwasthere.
Frank’shandswrappedaroundherthroat.

13.

RaulslowedtheJeep,hiseyeswidening.

“Whatthehell?”hesaidslowly.
TheparkinglotattheaddressMirandahadtextedhimwaslitupwithredandwhitelights.Halfa

dozencopcars,anambulance,and—werethosenewsvans?

HejammedtheJeepintoparkandjumpedout.
Hadtherebeensomesortoffire?Anaccident?WherewasMiranda?
Hejoggedtowardtheentrance.
“Raul!”
Hejerkedaroundtowardthevoice,hisheartinhisthroat.
Abodyhithimsohardhestumbledbackafewsteps.Hecouldn’tbreathe,andthatwasonlypartially

todowithhowtightsheheldontohim.HewrappedhisarmsaroundMiranda,eachworstcasescenario
that’dsprungtomindstillintheforefrontofhismind.

Hekissedthetopofherhead,squeezingherclose.
“Whathappened?Areyouokay?”Hepeeredaround,lookingforotherguests,restaurantstaff,butthey

weremissing.

“Frank.ItwasFrank.”Herbodyshook,sobbingagainsthisshoulder.
“What?”Heleanedbackandfinallycaughtaglimpseofher.
Thestrapofherdresswasripped,angryredlinescircledherthroat,andonesideofherfacewasa

littlepuffy.Hewasbothhorrifiedandgladshewasalive.

“Thestalker?ItwasFrank.”Mirandascrubbedahandacrossherfaceandwinced.
“Seriously?”
Mirandanodded.
“Whereishe?”
“Hegotaway.Thekitchencaughtfirewhilehewas...”Shegesturedtoherthroat.“Thecopsgothere

andheranoff.”

“Oh,shit,I’msosorry.”Hehadn’tbeentheretoprotectherwhenheshouldhave.She’dhadabad

feelingaboutthisfromthebeginningandhehadn’tlistenedtoher.He’dpushedhertodosomethingshe’d
knownnottodo.Thiswasallhisfault.

“Canwegohome?Idon’twanttodrive.Ijustwanttogohome.”
“Didthey—canyouleave?”Hewantedtobundleherupsomewheresafe,holdher,keeptheoutside

worldaway.

Mirandanodded.
DetectiveBowmanstoodadozenorsopacesaway,staringawayfromthem.
“Max?”Raulpitchedhisvoiceoverthenoise.
Maxturned,handsinhispockets,andstrolledcloser.
“Haveyoufoundhim?”Raulasked.
“Frank?No,notyet.”
“Ijustwanttogohome.Please?”MirandakeptherarmswrappedaroundRaul’swaist.
“You’refreetogo.Iwillsaybecareful.Panicroomready?”MaxstaredatMiranda.
“Yes.”Shenodded.

“Wait—youhaveapanicroom?”HowdidRaulnotknowthis?
“It’ssortofapanicroom.Myclosetdoorwasoutfittedwithakickplateandalock.”Sheglanced

fromRaultoMax.“Andyes,Ihaveacellphonechargerandacordlessphoneinthereincaseof
emergency.”

“Okay,then,givemeacallifyouhearanything.”MaxreachedoutandshookRaul’shand.
“Whataboutyourcar?”Raulasked.
“Idon’tcareaboutmycar.”
“Okay,let’sgo.”HeusheredMirandaacrosstheparkinglottohisJeepandhandedherin.
Hecouldn’treallybelievethiswashappening.
Theflowerswereonething.Totallycreepyandacrosstheline.ButtoattackMiranda?Raulcouldn’t

wraphisheadaroundit.

“Youwanttotalkaboutit?”HestartedtheJeepandpointeditbacktowardthestreet.
“No.Notuntilwe’rehome.”
“Okay.”
Rauldrovethewholewayinsilence,onehandwrappedaroundMiranda’s.Truetoherword,she

didn’tspeaktheentiretrip.Juststaredstraightahead.Everynowandthenherthumbwouldswipeover
hisknuckles,butotherwiseshewasastatue.Abeautiful,heartbreakingworkofart.

Heparkedinthegarageinsteadofthedriveway,andeventhenheinsistedMirandastayintheJeep

whilehedoasweepofthehouse.OnlyoncehewascompletelyconvincedFrankwasn’thidinginaroom
oraclosetdidhegivetheallclearsign.

“Thekittensgotoutfinally.”HehadtotoetwooutofthewaytoclosethedoorinMiranda’swake.
“Oh,lookatyouguys!You’regettingsobig.”Shepausedtoscoopupthetwofluffballsbefore

headingstraighttothesofa.“Lookatthat.”

PennyLolaMarielayinherspotinthemiddleofthesectionalandShivawasstretchedoutatthefar

end,neithercatlookingattheother.

“Iguessthey’relearningtodeal.Comehere.”RaulpulledMirandaandthesquirmingkittensontothe

couch.Lolacastthemaone-eyedglarebeforerisingtolayherheadinMiranda’slap.

MirandacurledherlegsaroundLolaandputherheadonRaul’sshoulders.Thekittensseemedto

senseMiranda’sneedtocuddleandsettledonherlap.Inthestillnessofthehousehecouldhearthe
scamperingofclawsacrossthefloor,indicatingtheotherswereoffcreatingmischief.Probablytaunting
Demoninhiscrate.

RaulpulledMirandaincloser.
Hecouldn’tcontemplateaworldwithouther,andhe’dverynearlylosthertonight.
Frankwatchedthefrontofthedetachedbungalow.Thelightswereonandatleasttwopeoplewere

inside.

Miranda.
Andherfuckingboyfriend.
She’drebuffedhisgifts,turnedhimdown,andnowthis?
Itwasthefinalstraw.
Heputhishandoverthegunathisbackandcheckedthestreet.Allwasquiet,mostpeoplewere

asleepalready.

Noonetoseehim.
FrankwalkedacrossthestreetandalongsidethefencebetweenMiranda’shouseandtheneighbor’s

slinkingthroughtheshadows.Hedidn’tcrosstothesideofthehouseuntilhewasintheshelterofthe
backyardfence.

Nothingstirred.Nooutofplacesounds.Justhim.

Frankpriedhisfingersintothewindowcasing.Itpaidtobepreparedandafterbeingforcedtobreak

inwhenshechangedthelocks,he’ddevelopedthisalternative.

Thewindowslidopen.Longandnarrow,itwastheperfectsizetoaccommodatesomeoneofhis

heightandgirth.

Frankslidintothebasement,usingtheshelveslikealadderallthewaytothefloor,andmostlyclosed

thewindow.

Nowallhehadtodowaswaituntiltheywereasleep.
Mirandaneverwantedtomove.ShewascoveredinkittensandcatswithDemonslobberonherknee

andaRaulatherside.Hell,she’devenchangedintohisclothesbecauseshedidn’twanttobotherwith
herown.

“Youwanttogotobed?”Raulasked.
“No.”Becauseinherdreams,Frankwasstillthere,hishandsaroundherthroat,smokecloggingthe

air,fireracingacrosstheceiling...

“Okay.HowaboutIputsomethingontheTV?”
Escapingintoashowwouldbe...theeasywayout.It’swhatshewantedtodo.Butitwouldn’tsilence

thenaggingvoiceinthebackofhermind.

Whenshe’dthoughtshewasgoingtodie,whenshewascertainFrankwouldchokethelifeoutofher,

she’dthoughtofRaul.Ofeverythingshewantedtosaytohim.Andnowthatshehadthechance...she
didn’twanttogothere.Becauseemotionsweremessy,andpartofherneededhimtheretopropherup.
Butifshelethimdothat,shewasn’tbeinghonestwithherselfeither.

“Youwantmetoputonamovie?”Raulreachedfortheremotes.
“No—I’d...Iwanttotalk.”
ShecouldloseRaul.Tonight.Rightnow.Andontheflipside,shecouldbedead.
Didshewanttospendherlifelovingsomeonewhodidn’tloveherback?Foronceinherlife,shehad

tostandupforwhatsheneeded.Andifthatwasn’tRaul,thenatleastshehadthegirls.

“Okay.Sure.Whatdoyouwanttotalkabout?”Raulstrokedhishanddownherarm.
MirandaswallowedandcurledherfingersintoRunty’sfur.Thekittensquirmedinprotest,twistingto

attackherfingerswithanenergythatneverfailedtomakehersmile.Exceptthistime.

“I’mhereforwhateveryouneed,”hesaid.
Wouldhebewhenshewasdone?
Itwouldbeeasytoburyitalldown,toholdontohim.Butitwasn’tfairtoher.
“IkeptthinkingIwasgoingtodie.Youdon’trealizehowsmallorweakyouareuntilyou’refighting

foryourlife.”Shereachedupandranherfingersovertheworstofthebruises,thespotswhereshecould
stillfeelFrank’sphantomtouch.

“You’resafe,”Raulwhispered.
“Iwaslayingtherethinking—I’dneverseeyouagain.”Herthroatconstricted,themusclesknotting

andtensinginawaythatfireduphernerves.

“I’mrighthere,babe.”Hekissedhertemple.
“Iknow,but...whatif—ifit’dbeendifferent?IfIneversawyouagain?”Shedidn’twanttocry,butthe

tearscameunbiddenanyway.“WhatifInevergottotellyouhowIfeel?Whyyoumademesodamn
angry?”

“I’dlovetoknowwhyI’vepissedyouoffsomuch.”Hechuckled,butshecouldn’tfindthehumor.
Shetwisted,needingtoseehim,tolookintohiseyes.
Thiswasabouther—Miranda—notbeingtheprovideranymore.Shecouldn’tlovehimandbethe

sugarmama.Cominginsecondwasn’tgoingtoworkforher.

“Icareaboutyou...butI—Ican’tletmyselffallinlovewithsomeonewhowillalwaysputmein

secondplace.”Mirandasuckedinabreath.Shecouldfeeltearsbrimming,readytospilloverherlashes.

“W-what?”Raulblinkedather,theconfusedpuppylooksoclosetomakingherwanttotakeitall

back.Hedidn’trealizewhathewasdoing.Hisheartwasintherightplace.Butitwasn’tfairtoher—to
puthimfirstandherlastwouldonlyendinbitternessandregret.

“Therescuewillalwaysbethemostimportantthingtoyou—”
“Wait.No.”Raulshookhishead.“Holdon,letmegetthisstraight...You’vebeenupsetwithme

becauseyou...youseriouslythinktherescueismoreimportanttomethanyouare?”

“Yes.”
“No.I—Ithoughtyouwere—nevermind.”Hisvoicewassoloudthemostskittishkittenhissed.

“Sorry,buddy.”Raulbumpedthefussykittenwithhisfinger.“No.That’snotwhathappened.”

“Raul—”
“No,you’vebeenpissedoffatmeforoveraweek,andnowIwanttotalkaboutitfrommyside.”He

glaredatherandshewantedtoburrowunderthesofa.“I—Ineveraskedyoutodothefundraiserorput
thenewwebsitetogetheroranything.Youtookthatonyourself,andIamsoincrediblygrateful.It’sshown
mehowawesomeyouare.SharingmydreamswithsomeoneascrazyintothemasIamhasbeenspecial.
Andyeah,Igotcarriedaway.Iownthat.Forthat,Iamso,sosorry.”

“But—”
“I’mnotdoneyet.”Hepulledherhandsawayfromthekittens,thoughallitreallyaccomplishedwas

givingRuntytwosetsofhandstoattack.“I...loveyou.Iloveyou.Iloveyourgenerosity.Ilovehowmuch
youcareaboutothers.Ilovethatbig,beautifulbrainofyours.Allthecrazyshityoucomeupwith.Ilove
you.”

Ohshit.
Shewascrying.
And—yes,thatwasahiccup.
“But,Miranda?”Raulpushedherhairoutofherface.“Therescueisnotmoreimportanttomethan

youare.Itjustisn’t.It’sadream,somethingI’mpassionateabout,butifyou’retellingmeIhaveto
choose?Ichooseyou.Iwillalwayschooseyou...andthat’showIknewIwasinlovewithyou.”

Shecouldn’tseeforallthetears.Kittenclawsdugintoherthighs,andconcernedmewlssignaledthe

restofthebroodwasawake.Raulwrappedhisarmsaroundher,pullingherevencloser,almostintohis
lap.

“Ilovethatyouworkedsohardformydream.Youmakemagichappenwhenyouputyourmindtoit,

butIdon’twantit,ifit’sgoingtobreakus.”Hekissedherface,hisfingersswipedathertears.

“Idon’twantyoutogiveupontherescue.”
“Idon’twanttoloseyou.”
“Iloveyou.”Sheblinkedawaythetears.
Itwaswaytoofasttomoveintogether,tomakestatementsoflove,butheretheywere.Andshe

wouldn’tchangeitatall.

Mirandascoopedupthesquirmingfur-brats,putthemontheirmama,andcrawledintoRaul’slap.He

heldontoher,mutteringwordsshecouldn’tunderstand,strokingherback.

“Later,we’llhavetohaveaseriousdiscussionabouthowyouchargeoffwithaplanbeforeanyone

elsecanvoteonit.”Hekissedhertemple,thenhermouth.“Youloveme?”

“Ido.IfLolacouldloveyou,Ididn’tstandachance.”
“I’llremembertothankLolalater.”
Theysmiledateachother.
“You...lookkindoftired.Yousureyoudon’twanttosleep?”Raulstrokedherback,muchlikeacat.
“No.ImightnotsleepuntiltheycatchFrank.”
“Okaythen,itsoundsliketheonlythingtodois—playvideogames.That’sabouttheonlythingyou

won’tfallasleepduring.”

“Hey.”Shepokedhim.“Ididnotfallasleepduringsex.Itwasadrainingorgasm.”
“Sincewhendoyousnorewhenyoucome?”
“Asshat.”Shesmackedhischestandthebothlaughed.“Youwanttostarteverythingup?I’llputon

somecoffee,grabafewsnacks,andbedowntokickyourassinaminute.”

“Thosearesomebigwords.”Heswattedherbottomasshescamperedtothekitchen,atrailofkittens

inherwake.

Thiswasright.BeingwithRaulfeltgood.Andiftheycouldmakeitwork...itwasthebestgiftinthe

world.

Frankpulledthegunfromthewaistbandofhistrousers.
Thosefootstepsweregettingawfullyclose...
Hehadn’tbeenabletomakeoutmostoftheconversation,exceptforawordhereorthere.Itwas

impossibletomakeheadsortailsofwhatwasgoingon.Theyjustneededtogothefucktosleepalready.

Heavythudsechoeddownthestairs.
Well,hell.
Frankputhisbackupagainstthewallandpointedthegunattheopening.
Ithadtobehim.TheoneMirandahadchoseninsteadofFrank.
Raulpausedatthefootofthestairsandflickedthelightson.
“Don’t.Move.”Frankstareddownthesightsathistarget.
Atleastthingswerefinallystartingtogetinteresting.
Raulswallowed.
Mirandawasupstairs.
Couldhesignalhersomehow?Warnher?
“Stepforward,”Franksaid.
IfRaulmovedawayfromthestairs,Mirandawouldn’tseehimuntilitwastoolate.
“Howlongyoubeenhere,Frank?”Couldhestall?WouldMirandatakehertime?
“Doesn’tmatter.Stepthisway,now.”
“Yougoingtoshootme?”IfFrankshotnow,Mirandawouldknow.She’dgetaway.Protectingher

washisonlygoal.

“Iwillifyoudon’tmove.Ouch!Damncat.”Frankkickedhislegandasmallthudhitthecarpet.
Thekittens.
Shit.
Raultookone,thentwostepsforwardandFrankkeptpacewithhim.
“Goddamnit,youlittlefucker,stop.”Frankshookhisleg,hisattentiontorn.
“DoyouexpectMirandato—what?Gowithyou?Bewithyou?Loveyou?”
“Noneofyourconcern.”
Butitwas.He’dalreadytriedtokillMirandaoncetonight.Raulwasn’tabouttolethimdoanything

elsetoher.

Footstepsdescendedthestairs.
“Hey,Raul—”
Frankglancedawayfromhim.
Rauldove,hittingFrankinthestomachwithhisshoulder.TheblastofthegungoingoffmadeRaul’s

earsring.TheonlythingthatpenetratedtheringingwasthesoundofMirandascreaming.

Hadshebeenhurt?
Hecouldn’tlook.
FrankandRaulfelltothefloor.
“Run—Miranda—run!He’sgotagun!”

TheguncrackedagainstthebackofRaul’shead.Whitestarsspuninhisvision.Afistconnectedwith

hisjaw,akneewithhisstomach.

StopFrank.
ProtectMiranda.
Thatwasallthatmattered.
Mirandafellupthestairs,feargivingherflight.TamaraandMaxhadalwayssaidthatifrunningwere

anoption—doit.Defendingherselfwasonething,butagainstaguywithagun?Shewasoutofherdepth.

Shecrawledupthelastremainingones,Demonlickingherface.Shescrambledacrosstheliving

room,nearlytrippingonLolaflyingtowardthebasementinMiranda’ssprinttowardthestairs.

Shecouldn’thelpRaul,notinafightwithagun.ButshehadMaxonspeeddial.
Herfootcaughtontherugandshepitchedforwardintothedoorframetoherbedroom.Shedidn’t

havetimeforthepain.Shechargedforward,threwherselfintothecloset,andgrabbedthecordless
phone.

“Max?Maxpickup!”
Shekickedthedoorshutandbraceditwithherfoot,theonlysoundsthatofherbreathingandthe

ringingphone.

RaulrolledwithFrank,onehandontheman’swrist.Shit,themanwasingoodshape.
“Ow!”Frankhowledandhisholdslipped.
Raulwrenchedthegunoutoftheotherman’shold.
LolaandShivawereoneithersideofRaul’shead.Atleastoneofthemhadrakedtheirclawsacross

Frank’sface.Themansportedseverallong,bloodygashesacrosshischeek.

Raulswung,hisfistconnectingwithFrank’sjaw.
ShivaswipedatFrank’shand,herhissnowherenearasbadasherbiteonceshegotherfangsin

Frank’shand.

“Miranda?”Raulbellowed.
Voices.
Yelling.
Feetpoundingthefloor.
“Frank,stoprightthere.”Maxstoodpoisedatthefootofthestairs,guninhand.
“Getthesefuckingcatsoffme!”Franktossedtheruntaside.
RaulhauledbackandlaidahardhookintoFrank.
Handshauledhimoffandtohisfeet.TheotherofficersshovedhimupagainstthewallwhileMaxand

anotherofficerwrestledFranktothefloor.Theirmouthsmoved,butRaul’searswerestillringingfrom
thegungoingoff.HewatchedasMaxslappedhandcuffsaroundFrank’swrists.

Thereweretoomanypeopleinthebasement.Thecatshissed.AnofficerpickedupthegunRaulhad

dropped.

“Miranda?Where’sMiranda?”TheofficerskeptshovingRaulbackinthecorner.Probablyfor

Frank’sprotection.“Where’dtheblackkittengo?Runty?”

“Here.Takeyourdamncat.”MaxdislodgedRuntyfromhispantslegandthrusthimatRaul.

“Miranda’sprobably—”

“Raul?”
“Oh,fuckme.”Maxrolledhiseyes.
Mirandadescendedthestairs,Demoninonearm,twokittensintheother.
“Lethimgo,”Maxbarked.“Youtwostaythere.”
MirandarushedtoRaul’ssidewhilethetwoofficershauledFranktohisfeetandthenupthestairs.
“Whatthefuckarethese?Attackcats?”MaxgaveLolaandShivaawideberth.

Bothofthecatssatperchedonthebackofthegamingsofa,crouchedandreadytopounce,tails

swishingbackandforthintime.

“Willyoulookatthat?”Mirandapeeredatthetwocats,hiptohip,shouldertoshoulder.
“Iguessalltheyneededwasacommonenemy.Youokay?”HehuggedMirandatohim.
“Areyou?”
“Yeah.Thislittleguyisgoingtofollowinhismother’spaws.”
“OhmyGod.”MirandawrappedherarmsaroundRaul’swaist.“It’sover.Isitover?”
“Thenightmareisover.”Raulkissedthetopofherheadandcuddledhercloser.“Therestisjust

beginning.”

Epilogue.

Twomonthslater...

“Hey,hey—thatgoesoverhere!”

MirandawavedJohnandRaulacrosstheroom.Theypositionedthesofaunderthewindowwhileshe

pushedacattreeupagainstoneside.Somethinghadtobedoneaboutthecurtains,butitwaslooking
prettygood.

“How’sitlooking?”Raulloopedhisarmaroundherwaistandpausedtotakeinthefinishingtouches.
“Prettygood,ifyouaskme.”Sheleanedintohim,revelinginthewayhemadeherfeel.Warm.Safe.

Loved.

“Justafewmoredaysandthisplaceisgoingtobeopen.Allbecauseofyou.”Hekissedherforehead.
“Becauseofus.”Shepokedhimintheribs.
It’dtakenherafewtherapysessionstofullyunderstandhowoffherrockershe’dgonebetween

gettingthoserosesandFrank’sattack.She’dthrownherselfintoRaul’sdream,nearlywreckingit—and
them—intheprocess.Buttheyweregoodnow.Betterthangood.Theywerehappy.

“So,canIshowyousomethingIdid?”Raulpeereddownather.“Ididathing.”
“A...thing?”Thosewordssoundedanawfullotlikehers...
“Athing.”
Hetookherhandinhisandledherbackthroughtheguestareas,theirexamroomandintothebig

kennelarea.Mirandahadn’tbeenabletospendasmuchtimeinthispartofthefacilitysincethey’d
finishedpaintingbecauseitwasaneasiersetup.

“Whatdidyoudo?”sheasked.
“Athing.Comehere.”
Raulledhertooneofthedoorsoffthekennels.Theywerelargeclosets,orsmalloffices.Sofarthey

hadn’tdecidedhowtousethem.Yet.So,Mirandahadn’tmadeplansforthem.

Hepushedopenthedoorandflippedonthelights.
Mirandablinkedatthedeskandfutonset-up.An...office?Hewassurprisingherwith...aworkspace?
Raulclosedthedoor,shuttingoutalmostalloftheexcitedpuppychatter.
“I...don’tunderstand,”shesaidslowly.
“Iwasthinking...”Raultuggedherovertothefuton.
“That’sdangerous.Hurtyourself.”
“Haa.Haa.Funny.No,Ididn’t.”Raulsuckedinadeepbreath.“I’mgoingtohavetospendalotof

timeuphere.”

“Yeah.”Oh,God,wherewasthisgoing?
“And...likewediscussed,you’regoingtostepback.Dosomethingforyourself.”
“Raul,spititoutalready.”
“Youwanttowriteyourbooks.Iwantyoutowriteyourbooks.Evenifyouneverpublishthemorlet

mereadthem.But...whatifyouhadaplaceupheretowrite?So,youknow,wecouldstillbetogether.I
knowyouwereconcernedabouthowlittlewe’dbeabletohangoutoncethingsgotgoingand...thisjust
seemedlikeagoodsolution.”

Mirandaopenedandclosedhermouth.

He—what?
“Don’tkillme,butIbroughtyourinspirationboardupheretodayjustsoyoucouldgetafeelforhow

it’dbe.”Heletgoofherhandsandpulledhercorkboardoutfrombehindthedesk.

Shewatchedashehungitoverthetopofthefuton.
“Itcouldgohere,ormaybeoverthedesk,ornearthedoor.Idon’tknow,butIwantedyoutoseeit.

And,maybewecouldhaveakittencondo.Runtywouldprobablylovebeingtheonlycatherewithyouif
youwantedtobringhimbackandforth.”

“Seriously?”Mirandacouldn’tbreathe.
Itwastoomuch.
Completelyoutofleftfield.
“Doyou...liketheidea?Iknowthefurnitureissecondhand,andwecangetsomethingbetter—”
“It’sperfect.”Shesqueezedhishandinhers.
“Really?”
“Yes.”Mirandahuggedhimtightandblewoutadeepbreath.“YougotmeaCrazyCatLadymug,

too?”

“IhaveaCrazyCatDudemug,too.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Iloveyou.”
“Iloveyou,too.So,whatdoyousay?Doyouwanttowritebooksaboutfatedmatesandspacehere?

OrshouldIputthemopsbackinhere?”

“Don’tyoudareputmopsnearmyinspirationboard.”
Hegrinned.Hewasherfatedmate,ifthatsortofthingexistedforhumans.He’dtakenhercrazyin

stride,andlovedherregardless.Shehopedtospendmany,happyyearslivingthisdream.Together.

YoucanstayuptodateonthewholeGoneGeekcrewin

BeautyandtheGeek

,

TheJockandtheGeek

and

TheGamerandtheGeek

.

StaytunedforTheAdorkableGirlandtheGeekin2017.

Signupforthe

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togetinsidescoopsandfreebooks.

BeautyandtheGeek

GoneGeek1

ProfessorStevenKipperisusedtothestares,themutteredinsults.Monster.Disgusting.Gross.It'sall

he'severknown.Relationshipssuckwhenhisdatewon'tevengooutinpublicwithhim,whichiswhyhe
hasn'tbothered.Thatisuntilher.Thewomanontheinternetwhogetshiseveryquirk.He'shookedona
personhe'snevermet.Thewayshegetshisjokes,theuninhibitedsexualityand...justtalkingtoher.She's
everythinghe'severwanted,onlyshe'sastranger.Unlesshecanconvincehertheyshouldunplugandtake
theirvirtualrelationshipoff-line.

Tamara Roh has heard all the insults from slut to whore and they bore her. She refuses to let other

peopledefineher.Life'stoughinthegamingindustry,andifshecan'thandleafewinsultsthehaterswill
chewherupandspitherout.Heronlyhaveniswithherfriendsandinoneveryexplicitchatroom.On-
lineshecanbeanyoneshewantsto,eventhenormalgirl-next-doorwhojusthappenstogetoffondirty
talk,eroticgifsandvideochatsfromtheneckdown.Shemightnotbeabletotrustguysinreallifetosee
pasttheHotAsianGirlfriendstereotype,butwithherinternetbeauanonymityishersafetynet.Theonly
problemis...she'sfallingforamanwhothinksshe'ssomeoneelse.

TheJockandtheGeek

GoneGeek3

Samantha Grant is at a dead end in life. Fired from her job because her father happens to be the

SecretaryofStateisjusttheicingonthecake.AtleastshehasMonster-Gotofillheremptyhours.Except
she'snottheonlyoneplayingtheaugmentedrealityphonegame.Herex,thejockiestjockofallis,too.
Andhejusthappenstobeontherivalteam.She'lltakethiscompetitiontoawholenewlevelinthename
ofwinningthetitleasthebestMonsterMasterintheCapital.

OliverFalcónisinlovewithhisboss'daughter.Theproblemis,shehateshimwiththepassionofa

thousand, fiery suns. He broke her heart to protect her once, and now he wants her back. Strategy has
alwaysbeenhisgift,andthistimehe'sgotaplantonotonlywinSamback,butshowherjusthowmuch
hebelongsinherworld.He'sgonegeek,andhe'snevergoingback.Pastsecretshaunttheformerlovers,
andasmuchasOliverwantsSambackinhisarms,he'llbreakherheartagainifitmeansprotectingher.

TheGamerandtheGeek

GoneGeek4

RashaeGrantshouldbeoverthemoon.Herlife-longdreamofcreatingoriginalartforaboardgame

isfinallyhappening.Exceptthecampaignmanager,asinfullysexyIrishman,can'tseemtostandher.At
everymeetingshe'stalkedoverandherdesignspickedapart.What'sthepointofgettingtoworkonher
dreamifshedoesn'tevenrecognizeitanymore?

DeclanLoveridgehasstakedeverythingonthesuccessofthisproject,andifpullingitoffmeanshe

has to breathe down Rashae's neck, he'll have to ignore the way she smiles, the twinkle in her eye and
howshemakeshimlaughwhenheshouldn't.Oneill-advisedkissturnsintomany,andsoontheholiday
nightsareheatingupfrommorethanjustthekettle.

Friends with benefits is the perfect solution to their problems. Disagreements are better solved

between the sheets, but Declan has never been a man to settle, and Rashae doesn't know how to lead
withoutherheart.Whiletheloversarebusycreatingamasterpiece,anotherkindofartistisouttotake
themforeverythingthey'vegot.AscamturnsintoascandalthisholidayseasoninTheGamerandthe
Geek.

BookList
GoneGeek
BeautyandtheGeek
TheVetandtheGeek
TheJockandtheGeek
TheGamerandtheGeek
TheAdorkableGirlandtheGeek
TheStarandtheGeek
AegisGroup
Blind:KillerInstincts
DangerousAttraction
DangerousinTraining
DangerousGames
DangerousAssignment
DangerousProtector
HotRides
Drive
Shift
Chase
BayouBound
PictureHerBound
DutyBound
BoundMemories
Bound&Tamed
OtherBDSMTitles
Committed:DrugofDesire
Entrusted:DrugofDesire
BoundwithPearls
CollarMeinParis
FestiveSeduction
ElectricEngagement
SoInked
UnderHisSkin
TheHarderHeFalls
HisMarriageBargain
StandaloneTitles
FallingforHisBestFriend
DreamVacation(freeread)

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

ItcanneverbesaidthatNYT&USATodayBestsellingauthorSidneyBristolhashada‘normal’life.

Sheisarecoveringrollerderbyqueen,formermissionary,tattooaddictandboardgameenthusiast.She

grewupinamotor-homeontheUShighways(withanoccasionaljauntintoCanadaandMexico),

travelingtherodeocircuitwithherparents.SidneyhaslivedabroadinbothRussiaandThailand,

workingwithchildrenandteenagers.ShenowlivesinTexaswhereshespendshertimewriting,reading,

huntingPokemon,playingboardgamesandcateringtoherfurryoverlords,akathecats.

Copyright©2016bySidneyBristol.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including

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briefquotationsembodiedincriticalreviewsandcertainothernoncommercialusespermittedbycopyrightlaw.Forpermissionrequests,write
tothepublisher,addressed“Attention:PermissionsCoordinator,”attheaddressbelow.

InkedPress/SidneyBristol
www.sidneybristol.com
Publisher’sNote:Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareaproductoftheauthor’simagination.Localesand

public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies,
events,institutions,orlocalesiscompletelycoincidental.

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Mr.Purr-fectandtheGeek/SidneyBristol.—1sted.