Page 29 of Dean

I scrub my eyes. I should probably just take them out at this point. This is getting ridiculous. Although, I guess I’ve always looked at him a little too long. That first day when he showed up to interview, his cheeks pink and his lips slightly wet, I remember feeling a little zing in my groin.

I thought it was penile cancer.

Turns out, it’s just him.

I adjust myself and run a hand through my hair as Avery turns around and catches me staring again. He arches an eyebrow at me, and I shift on my feet, averting my gaze.

Fuck, this is going to be bad. He’s in my space now. Living with me. Eating with me.

I may need to resort to wearing sunglasses indoors.

“You sure you’re all right?” Avery asks me as he passes by, brushing against my chest as he goes.

“Yep,” I murmur. “Just fucking dandy.”

I’m not though. Not fucking dandy at all. My dick gives an imperceptible twitch and I stare down at it.

“Get it together,” I whisper.

I don’t want my dick ruining things. I don’t want to drive him away. I’m older, and a complete fiend apparently. I don’t want to scare him away.

I don’t want him to leave because of me.

CHAPTER FIVE

AVERY

“Hi there!” It’s an hour to close and a man meanders in. I’m currently perched on the edge of Ben’s desk on the main floor, and both of us turn to fix our gazes on the pale guy. His hair is a mess, his shirt is slightly crumpled, and an eyeball hangs from the necklace chain on his chest.

Odd, but you know, I dig it. I’m sure it’s not real and more goth than anything. Wonder where he got it.

“Hi, how can I help you?” I ask.

The man bounces on his feet and clutches his hands in front of him. “Oh, what great service. And I really like your hair,” he says to me before grinning widely.

“Oh, thank you,” I say, touching the end of my braid.

“Such a pretty scalp.”

I cock my head, and he wets his lips. “But that’s not why I’m here. I was wondering if you did special orders?”

My eyebrows rise. “Yeah, the guys do. What were you thinking?”

He spreads his hands and sighs. “Bones. And blood. I mean…not actual blood. That wouldn’t last. But a dark red. Blood red.”

Ben and I glance at each other, and I purse my lips, not sure whether to laugh or run. “Anything else? Like, what kind of vehicle were you thinking?”

“Oh! Oh, well, I don’t know. I’d defer to the guys. I know nothing about cars. Just that I want one.” He leans toward us and moves his hands emphatically. “It’s going to be called the Boned Collector.”

“Do you mean Bone Collector?”

“No. Boned. Bones. All the bones and boning.”

“Spooky,” Ben whispers, and the man turns his head toward him.

“Some call it spooky. I think it’s sexy.”

I clear my throat and bite back a smile at how sincere he is. You know what? I can’t even be creeped out. He’s likable. In a weird, undefinable way. “How did you hear about us—do you have a name?”

---