Page 21 of Love is Trash in Hallow's Cove

She bites her lower lip, thinking as she casts her eyes down at her plate. “I’m going to say something, and I don’twant you to freak out because I know it’s ridiculous and I’m not expecting it from you at all.”

She peers up at me with her big, wide brown eyes.

I nod. “Okay. You can tell me anything.”

“I’ve been on so many dates since I moved to Hallow’s Cove because I’ve been trying to find a monster partner.” She winces. “I know that sounds gross and fetishy, but I promise that wasn’t why. I just…” She sighs and I wait, practically vibrating, wondering what she’s going to say and lit up by her saying she’s looking for apartner. “I’ve had terrible luck with dating. When my latest ex cheated on me, I felt hopeless. Then I thought of Aunt Betsy and what happened to her—finding a monster mate out of the blue—so I leapt at the chance to move here and have that happen to me.”

Holy shit. Oh my god. This couldn’t be more perfect. I can tell her she’s my mate and she’ll be excited, not freaked out. After all, that’s the whole reason she came here.

I open my mouth to confess, but Hayley shakes her head and continues. “I know it was ridiculous to think I could force something like that if I went out with enough monsters. And I truly don’t expect that now. I don’t even think I want it. Because as nice as the thought of not having to take any responsibility for my romantic relationship was, it wasn’t healthy for me to put that kind of pressure on things. If I’m going to find someone…” She gives me a soft smile. “I think I want it to be because we both chose it after getting to know each other.”

The elation bursts, threatening to make me deflate like a balloon. I take a long drink from my soda bottle to stall for time as I try to come up with a reply that isn’t begging her to reconsider that stance and saying I’m hers.

“Sorry, that was way too much for a first date,” Hayley says, looking away.

I set the bottle to the side and shake my head. “No! I really appreciate your candor. I’m, uh, I’m also looking for a partner.”

“Oh. Whew, okay.” She lets out a small giggle. “Not that I—”

“We don’t have to put any expectations on this other than getting to know each other,” I interrupt. The words are tough to get out, but I force myself to take them to heart. If this is what Hayley needs, then I’ll give it to her. I’ll give her whatever she needs to feel happy and safe. Even if it means not telling her she’s my mate right away.

She smiles and sets her plate down on the tray table. I mirror her actions, even though Beans wants me to finish what’s left on mine.

“I didn’t think this through properly,” Hayley says with a shy smile.

“Think what through?” I ask, confused by her words.

She gestures to the tacos, then between us, scooting a little closer to me on the couch. “This.”

My heartbeat speeds up as she scoots closer again, so her knees are touching mine. “Uh, I could… I think I have some gum in my pocket.” I reach my hand down to dig inside my jacket, but she reaches out and threads her fingers through mine, and leans in closer.

“I don’t mind if you don’t,” she says, lips quirking.

“Fuck no, I don’t mind,” I murmur.

She smiles one more time, then closes the distance between us and places her lips on mine.

All of my senses flare to life at her kiss, and I move on instinct, hauling her up onto my lap as she makes a small sound of surprise against my mouth. Her weight on my lap, her intoxicating scent threaded with arousal, and the taste of her lips—spicy tacos and all—is the most exquisite thing I’ve experienced in my life.

All too soon, she pulls back and looks at me with those gorgeous, wide eyes. Hayley looks stunned by the kiss, even though she’s the one who initiated it.

“Wow,” she murmurs.

“Yeah,” I chuckle.

Her eyes soften and she starts to lean in again, but there’s a rustling sound from the other end of the alley that makes her freeze and turn to look toward it.

“Oh my god! Do you think it’s the raccoon?” she whispers.

“Maybe,” I lie. I mean, I guess there’s a chance it’s a regular raccoon, but her raccoon is currently sitting here with the woman of his dreams in his lap.

“Shit, I didn’t even remember to bring something to lure it here with.”

I raise a brow at her. “What were you going to use?”

A wash of color floods her cheeks. “I, uh, I thought it might be attracted to the scent it liked before…”

“What scent was that?” I ask, voice rough. My dick presses insistently against the fly of my jeans and I’mthankful that she’s shifted away slightly so I don’t make her uncomfortable with my hard-on. Though I’m sure she felt it against her ass when we kissed.

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