Page 109 of Clean Slade
Could this week get any weirder? I hoped to God not. There was only so much I could take before I broke. I might’ve been made from thicker stuff, but everyone had their limit.
“What is this? Are my eyes deceiving me? What’s happening?” the young man in front of me started before I was out of the car.
His eyes, a blue that managed to fascinate me every damn time, pierced me as he came to stand before me and spread his arms out to hug me.
“Hey, Duke. Nice to see you,” I said to the local animal whisperer.
As he let go, he shoved me.
“Nice to see you? Really? I swear if I didn’t come to you, you’d never come to me. It’s not a fair relationship.”
I laughed.
As one of the local groomers, it had been impossible not to build a friendship with the young man. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of friendship it was, considering he never came out with us.
He barely ever left his shelter. He lived and breathed for his animals, always busy, always working.
I cast a glance at Slade, who raised his eyebrow, smirking.
“Not that kind of relationship,” I told him.
“What, oh, who’s this? Kingston Harrison Moore, do you finally have a man in your life?” Duke put his hands on his hips and looked from me to Slade and back to me.
“That is none of your business!” I told him just as Mac came out of the car and ran to him with open arms.
“If it isn’t my favorite girl in town.” He planted a kiss on her forehead, and she giggled.
“I bet you say that to all the girls.” Slade chuckled as he leaned against his car and put his hands in his pockets.
Wait, was he jealous? Why was he posing like a model in front of the car?
I had to admit, the blue jeans that looked painted on his ass cheeks, the tight-ass sweater that hugged his pecs so perfectly, and the five o’clock shadow mixed in with the farm setting gave him a rugged, sexy look that made my imagination flare.
As if it needs assistance.
“Oh sweetie, girls? Really? Can you not tell I’m a flaming queen? Should I put the sequins on?”
Slade hid his smile behind his fist, turning his head ever so slightly toward me.
The fuckerisposing!
“I’m Slade. Slade Myers.”
He extended a hand and stepped forward to shake Duke’s. Duke being much shorter, had to look up at him.
“Hamana, hamana, hamana,” he mumbled, and I could barely contain myself.
If there was one thing I knew about Duke other than what a kind heart he had, it was what a thirsty bitch he was.
Not that he ever did anything about it. He was all bark, no bite. He didn’t date. He didn’t go out. He didn’t hookup. As far as any of us knew, at least. Hell, he was probably a virgin, but that was not something you asked someone so we hadn’t.
“That’s a weird name.” Slade didn’t miss a beat.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I meant to say Duke Allen. Here for a quickie—erm, I mean a quick tour?”
Slade’s face wrinkled, and he turned to me, shaking his head and mouthing a “Wow.”
“Uncle Duke, can I feed the goats?” Mac said, practically falling to her knees before him.
