Page 58 of Quake

“Kat took her for the night. She said Tank needed another playdate, but I think she’s just decided to break her ‘no meddling’rule.”

“What does that mean? A ‘no meddling’ rule?”I shouldn’t have mentioned that.

“My family and Kat’s brother, Kas, tend to play matchmaker, but not Kat. She avoids getting involved in other people’s business, but it seems she’s recently started. In Kat’s perfect world, she’d be completely off-grid where it’s quiet and low-key.”

“That sounds pretty nice,” she answers. “But I can’t deny that I also love the loud, probably annoying things that quiet people don’t enjoy.”

That piques my interest. “Like what?”

“Well,” she hums, “I love live concerts, raves, comedy shows, parades, fairs, festivals, all of it. Basically anything with music, art, or roller coasters.”

“What kind of music do you like?”

“Everything.” She laughs. “I have an eclectic taste, to put it plainly. I’d say my favorites are anything two thousands, electropop, and death metal.”

“Death metal?” I breathe in disbelief.

“Yep.” She snorts. “I love a good headbanger.”

God, this woman.

“Your turn.”

“I also like just about everything, aside from country music anyway. But I’m really into rock of all genres.”

“Very good answer. You’ve officially won additional brownie points.” She smirks up at me before turning her attention back to the screen.

***

Hours go by as we watch movie after movie, only taking a break to put the food away and let the dogs out before bed.

“Hey, birthday boy,” Lark says with her arms wrapped around my neck as I stand by the front door, trying to convince myself to leave.

“Yes, little red?”

Her eyes look glassy with exhaustion, but she wears a small, pleased smile. “Sleep over tonight?”

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” I admit, lifting her into my arms and backing her into her room, pressing a kiss to her jaw.

She hands me a new toothbrush from a pack under her sink when we get to the bathroom, and we brush our teeth together, getting ready for bed. It feels so…domestic?I’m not sure since I’ve never actually been in a relationship, but I imagine this is what it’s like. Doing normal, everyday things together that just feel likemore.

Once we’re in bed together, the dogs happily snore at the end. I tuck Lark under my arm, drawing her into me and pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Goodnight, birthday boy,” she says sleepily.

“Goodnight,ma petite rouge.”

Chapter thirty-one

Lark

Friday, March 21, 2025

Alarge, warm arm is draped across my abdomen, drawing me into Gianni’s hard chest. That isn’t theonlything about him that’s hard though.

His cock is pressing into my lower back, and I can’t help but wiggle my ass into it. He grunts, sliding his hand down my abdomen and cupping me through my sleep shorts. “If you keep moving like that, I’ll need you to do something about it, little red.”

Placing my hand over his to urge him on, a moan slips past my lips as he pushes my shorts aside and slides a finger through my folds. From the end of the bed, I see Rex lift his head, squinting his eyes to glare at us. I reluctantly push Gianni’s hand away. “The dogs are in here,” I grumble, upset by that reality.

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