Page 92 of Just (Fake) Married
“Safe kisses only,” she corrected me.
“But no sniffing or shoulder brushing.”
“Right.”
“And in private, we can have sex but no kissing. And you think that’s not confusing?”
“Yep,” she said with a definitive nod. “Take it or leave it.”
“Oh,” I laughed. “I’ll take it. I’ll take you, however I can get you, but you’re not the only one who gets to make the rules.”
“What…what does that mean?” she whispered.
The way I wanted to kiss her mouth was obsessive.
“Come to my room tonight and find out,” I said.
Her lips parted on a gasp, like there just wasn’t enough air to breathe.
Outside the truck, Jenny started barking at the shadows and Bruce bonked Jenny in the nose with her one good wing which sent the blind dog running in circles.
Harmony hopped out of the truck and went to calm her animals. I went out and grabbed Bruce under the belly. She tried to bite me but I nudged her beak away and she settled down. Harmony got her hand around Jenny’s collar and the whole motley crew of us headed inside.
The house was cold. No fire burning in the fireplace. The only light was the moonlight coming in the windows in pale sheets.
“You can let her go,” Harmony said, her eyes a million miles from mine. “I can take it from here.”
I set Bruce on the floor, unable to believe I’d been cock blocked by a blind dog and a goose with one wing, but that was Last Hope Gulch for you. Shit got weirder every day.
I watched her walk away, her animals following her up the stairs.
“Harmony,” I said, and she turned to face me, her face highlighted by the moonlight. Those big eyes gleamed and her skin glowed, and for some reason the only thing I could think was:
My wife.
“My room is at the end of the hall,” I said, gesturing to the corner of the second floor opposite of her room.
Her throat bobbed but she didn’t nod, and so, when she turned away and walked up to her room, I had no idea if she would come to me.
TWENTY-TWO
HARMONY
Harmony: Ethan did a really nice thing and helped my goose Bruce with her wing.
Sunshine: Why are you telling me this? Hold on, are you falling for this guy? What did I tell you about NOT sleeping with him. Are you caving?
Harmony: I am definitely NOT caving.
Sunshine: You’re caving.
Harmony: I’m caving a little…
The animals settled easily enough.
I did not.
I sat on the edge of the bed and wondered if it was stupid to think I could contain how I felt by implementing a no kissing rule? Or a no touching rule? No sniffing rule?
