Page 22 of Love is Trash in Hallow's Cove

“Shh… I’m going to go see…” She slides out of my lap and creeps toward the dumpster. I join her, just in case it’s something dangerous, but when we look at the other side, there’s nothing there.

Hayley’s expression sinks. “Damn, guess I was hearing things.”

I hate how disappointed she looks, especially knowing that her raccoon isn’t going to show up. Before I can think better of it, I speak. “Oh, the night’s still young. It might still show up. Let me take the dishes inside and put the extra food away, and then we’ll go into serious stakeout mode.” I add a wink, which maybe makes it weird instead of sexy, but I can’t take it back.

“You sure? I know it’s so silly to do this.”

I step in closer and place a hand tentatively on her arm, not daring to let myself touch her anywhere else. “I’m the one who suggested the stakeout, remember? I want to be here with you, doing this.”

Her eyelashes flutter and she nods. “Right. Okay.”

I squeeze her arm and head back to gather up the dishes, leaving her on the couch as I head inside.

I really shouldn’t do this. It’ll be too suspicious if the raccoon just happens to show up while I’m gone.

I set the dishes down and start stripping anyway, and Beans lets me know how delighted he is by this plan.

“Calm down, dude. It’s only going to be a quick raccoon sighting. We’ll peek our head in so shesees us and then run away before she can do anything. Nothing more. We can’t be gone any longer than that.”

I shift to my raccoon form, then creep out the front door, since Hayley will hear the back door open if I go out that way, then round along the other side of my building and dart through the bushes back there. When I get to the alley, I make sure to be loud as I brush against the bushes, and I hear Hayley gasp.

She sees me. Okay, time to go.

Beans doesn’t let me go back home. No, the fucker moves further into the alley. I yell at him to stop and get the hell out of here, but he screams at me and keeps moving toward Hayley.

Her eyes go wide as saucers and she crouches down to get on his level. “Hey, there,” she coos softly.

Beans moves closer, drawn by her scent now that we’re close again. I try to fight him, but he’s going to do whatever the fuck he wants and unless I want to shift back and expose myself to Hayley, I have to go with it.

“Oh my god,” she whispers. “Of course you had to come when Jake isn’t here. He’s not going to believe me.”

Beans moves even closer and Hayley holds out a tentative hand, which he nuzzles against.

She lets out a muffled squeal of delight. “Oh, look at you!” He gets closer, then buries his nose between her thighs and she squeaks, pushing his face away. “Hey, now, that’s not polite.” He cocks his head at her and I regain enough control to not let him do that again.

Hayley laughs and pets him again. “For a perverted little panty thief, you’re pretty cute.”

Beans likes that. He presses up against her and sits on her lap, resting his head against her breasts, and she laughs again.

“Okay, all is forgiven,” she says, her touch sending warm pleasure throughout my body. Beans practically melts against her. “Just don’t do it again.” She laughs and shakes her head. “I’m talking to you like you can understand me.”

Shit, if I stay any longer, she might realize I can. With a mental plea and a bribe to let Beans eat whatever he wants next time we go dumpster diving, I get him to pull away.

Hayley waves as I scurry back into the bushes. As soon as I’m out of sight, I shift back to my human form and race inside, cursing Beans’ recklessness. If I move fast enough, she won’t think there’d be any chance I was the raccoon sitting in her lap a moment ago, so I shove my clothes back on in record speed, only stopping for a second to catch my breath before heading back outside.

“Hayley, I think I heard something,” I say as I approach.

“It was the raccoon!” she exclaims. “I can’t believe you missed it. It was here, and it came over and… well, I think it likes me.”

“Whoa, really?”

She scoffs. “Is it so hard to believe that a raccoon would like me?”

“No, not at all. I’m disappointed I wasn’t here to see it.” I pretend to narrow my eyes at her. “Do you think he was trying to steal my date away?”

“He didn’t have to try. If he’d stayed, I’d still be snuggling with him. Sorry,” Hayley says with a teasing laugh.

I pretend to look offended. “I’m not as fuzzy as a raccoon, but I’m nice to cuddle with, too.”

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