Page 40 of Catastrophe Magnet

Kida throws her head back and laughs. “Oh, God. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. I’m about to show you how it’s done.”

And she does.

She eats the whole freaking thing.

And I just sit there and watch with the most confusing boner of my life.

Epilogue

Four Months Later

The sky isblue with puffy white clouds and the sun blazes overhead, making it the perfect day to take advantage of the huge park across from my apartment building.

I’m relaxing on a bench with my latest paperback from Perky’s while Bosco chills in the shade of a nearby tree, mauling his favorite squeaky pig toy as we wait for Kida to arrive with snacks. My girl is serious about her snacks—it’s just one of the many things I love about her.

Fully immersed in my book, I turn the page, eager to know what awaits the heroine after she was kidnapped from her wedding. I devour word after word, the story playing out like a movie in my mind when I’m yanked back to reality by an arm fastening around my throat from behind, holding me in a headlock.

My book goes flying as I flail in an attempt to free myself. But then I’m suddenly released, and I drag in a lung full of air as I spin to face my attacker.

I’m lookingaround the park, scanning the area Arlo said he’d be waiting for me when I seehim. Not Arlo but freaking Neil Berkley! And I justknowit’s him this time.

This guy has been a ghost for months, and probably figured enough time had passed that he could come out of hiding. I stow the paper bag of sugary bliss I’d picked up from Miss Gertie’s Bakery behind a tree, then slowly make my approach, careful not to make a sound before I pounce.

My forearm locks around his throat, pinning him with a choke hold as sweet, sweet, victory floods my veins. My face is so close to his hair that I pick up his scent and… oh God, no, not again. I release him in a rush, retreating a step as my stunned boyfriend whirls on me.

My hands shoot out in front of as he slowly raises to his feet. “I swear I didn’t mean it. I thought you were him. I’m sorry!”

Arlo says nothing as he slowly stalks around the bench on his way to me.

I swallow. “Baby—”

He dips, his shoulder pressing into my stomach. Then he stands, lifting me like a sack of potatoes as he carries me away from the bench, toward his apartment building.

“Arlo!” I shriek.

“Keeds,” he murmurs back. “You know nothing gets me hotter than when you go all kickass bounty hunter on me. This is your own fault.”

My jaw drops open. “But my snacks! And my dog! Bosco,” I call, having spotted him lazing under a tree.

“Shit,” Arlo grumbles, doing a one-eighty and returning to the bench. He bends down and picks something off the ground, then whistles for Bosco as he stands. Bosco happily rolls to his feet, his pink piggy hanging from his mouth as he trots along behind Arlo.

I’m still hanging like a limp ragdoll over his shoulder, but only because I want to be. I have quite a nice view of his deliciously firm butt from here. “The snacks!” I yelp, as he strides past the tree where I stashed them.

He turns again, bends, and picks up the paper bag before carrying on.

“Thank you,” I chirp.

He reaches his building within minutes, bounds up the stairs out front, then strides through the doors, across the lobby to the bank of elevators. Jones, the concierge, looks up at us from his desk, his eyes widening momentarily.

I wave and smile. “It’s a lovely day, isn’t it, Jones?”

“Uh, yes, Miss Hunter, lovely… uh day.”

The elevator doors slide open and Arlo steps inside, Bosco hot on his heels. As the cart ascends, so does Arlo’s hand up the back of my thigh and under the hem of my denim shorts until he’s palming my ass. I love the feel of his big hands on me, and I sigh in happiness.

A few minutes later, we’re inside the apartment, and he’s still not placed me on my feet yet. He takes me to the bedroom, kicking the door closed in Bosco’s face when he tries to follow.

“Sorry, baby,” I call through the door, and Bosco whines his displeasure but gets quickly distracted by his pink piggy if the squeaking sounds are anything to go by.

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