Page 4 of Stay for Forever

He flashes me his Hollywood smile. The one I fell for too many times to count. Well, no more. This girl has learned her lesson, and I got an A+ on the final exam.

His smile falters for a millisecond before it intensifies. “I’m helping you.”

My hands land on my hips. “Helping me? You haven’t the first hint of a clue how to help me.”

“How hard can it be?”

I growl. Is he saying anyone could do my job? And my master's in Biology is superfluous? I guess I won’t be paying back the mountain of student debt I incurred since my degree is worthless.

He smirks at me, and I decide it’s time to teach Mr. Hollywood a lesson. I cross my arms over my chest and nod toward the enclosure. “Go ahead. It’s time for the capybaras to go swimming.”

He opens the door, and it swings open. Instead of allowing the animals to waddle to the water for some pool time on their own, he reaches in and grabs one.

“I wouldn’t—”

He shushes me. “These guys are adorable. What could possibly go wrong?”

Because it’s always smart to hold a baby animal while the mamma is growling at you. He turns away from the growling mamma. Big mistake.

I step forward. “Seriously, Mav, you need to put her down.”

“Why? Are you jealous someone else is cuddling me?” He winks.

Could he be a bigger ass? Is he seriously making light of my jealousy? How dare he? He struts around with Hollywood starlets and kisses them in front of the entire world after sneaking away from my bed. Of course, I’m jealous. I’m a red-blooded, heterosexual woman. Calling me on my jealousy proves what a jerk he is.

“You need to put her down, Maverick,” I order.

He doesn’t listen to me. He never does. Instead, he lifts the rodent up to his face and begins baby talking it.

“June Bug is grumpy in the morning, isn’t she?”

He’d know I’m grumpy in the morning if he had stuck around after talking his way into my bed and my pants. Enough, Juniper! E-freaking-nough! Stop living in the past. There will never be a Juniper and Maverick – obviously. I’d be a fool to stay with a man who sneaks out of my bed. He’s merely here now because I’ve been ignoring him, and no vain man enjoys being ignored.

He nuzzles the creature. I step forward to snatch the baby from his arms, but he tuts at me before twirling around. Ugh! I know the man is a pompous ass. I didn’t realize he’s a complete and utter idiot, too.

“She’s going to—”

Before I manage to warn him again, he screeches and drops the baby.

“She bit me! She fucking bit me.”

His hand covers his nose. The rest of the capybaras gather at his feet chittering at him. When he glances down and notices them, he retreats.

“Go away, you little devils!” he screeches.

I reach for him. “Calm down. Let me check the bite.”

“They’re attacking me.”

I roll my eyes. “They’re not attacking you. Stop being a baby.”

“I’m not a baby.” He waves a hand toward the capybaras at his feet. “These animals appear cute, but they are utterly ferocious.”

He glares down at them, and they grunt and whistle at him. His eyes widen. “Are they planning to attack me?”

Was he always such a pansy? They’re rodents. Adorable rodents.

He holds up his hands as he backs away.

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