Page 6 of Say You're Mine

“If I were a betting man, I’d agree.” The more time I spend with Eros, the more his Southern twang slips through. I had no clue how hot an accent could be. Then again, I also didn’t know how hot the all-American man would be either. I’m supposed to be with a rocker in a shitty band.

Gross.

“So should we peek around?”

“If you want.”

“I do.” Everyone is still at the reception. The place should be pretty empty for now. I’m sure people will start to taper out and head into each of their rooms.

“Let’s go, then.” Eros nods down the hallway. I realize that he still has a hold on my hand. I should pull it back, but I don’t.

“I’m thinking down, right? To a basement or cellar?”

“All right.” Eros is rather agreeable. I'm beginning to believe that he could truly mean it when he says that all I need to do is ask.

He’s been such a good guy from the second he sat down next to me. It’s making me wonder what’s so great about those bad boys the girls are always falling all over. Whoislikely in the shitty band and always smells of cigarettes and their grandma's garage? Nowthatisscary.

“These paintings really help creep this place up,” I say as we pass one that is taller than I am. The image depicts a man's excessively white face, which perfectly complements his wig. “The eyes follow you.”

“Can’t say I blame him.”

I fake a gasp. “You’ll just let men eye me up and down?”

“Were you in that reception?” he asks, confusing me. “If I were to beat the shit out of every man checking you out, I’d be in jail fighting now and not be playing Scooby-Doo with you.”

“They were only staring because I clearly don’t fit and because of you.”

“Trust me. They were staring, and it had nothing to do with me.” His hand holding mine tightens. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. He was jealous. Damn. I don’t know what to do with that. I don’t think a one-night fling is someone you get jealous over.

“If we were in Scooby-Doo, I’d rather have a cat than a dog.” I switch the conversation over, not wanting my mind to wander too deep when thinking about Eros. This is only one night.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“Really? Aren't country boys into dogs?”

“Maybe countryboys,I suppose.” He smirks at me. How does his smirk become more attractive with each passing moment? It’s not cocky either. It’s playful and sweet.Trusting.

“I have always wanted a cat.”

“They’re excellent company. They can work the farm too. No one keeps a barn better. They also get along well with the horses.”

“Really?”

“They’ll even ride them.” I laugh thinking about that.

“This way, if I’m recalling the outside correctly. This should go around and then down. The other side is too close to the pond for them to have chanced digging out a cellar or basement.”

I let Eros lead. It’s nice to have someone take charge, and I bet if I tugged on his hand so I could lead, he’d let me. A warm feeling floods through my body, and I know it’s not the few glasses of champagne I had. It’s this man.

We go down a set of stairs with a giant landing that leads to another set. “Have you been here before?” He moves as if he knows the place.

“I only got here today.”

“You know your way around.”

“How my mind works.” He was going to college when he was fifteen. I hated every second of school. I might have gone to college if I had had the money.

It wouldn't have been for art, though. I would have had to be more practical than that. That might be why I never pushed for it because oddly, it felt as though college could kill my dreams, and right now dreams are what I’m living off.

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