The warmth of his fur-covered legs is instantaneous and all I can think about is snuggling and watching a movie.

  His hands are hovering above the keys, his forearms blocking most of his lap.

  “Is this okay? That I’m sitting with you?”

  “Yes,” he says. But his body is practically vibrating with energy.

  “Would it make you feel better if I took off my shirt? I mean my tits for your uh… tat?”

  He chokes on a laugh. “Harriet, you are a revelation.” Then his arms are down at his sides and there it is.

  “Holy fuck,” I say. Then I wince. “I’m sorry, I was trying not to have a reaction.”

  “It’s impossible not to,” he says.

  “It’s so hard and big.” I stare at it. I mean it still looks like a man’s dick, it’s just like supersized. “Like really, really big.” The mushroom-shaped tip is easily the size of a fist. The shaft itself is stout and thickly veined. I shift on the piano bench because my girly parts are definitely taking notice.

  “Yeah.”

  “Was it always? I mean when you were the other way, were you… shit, I’m making a mess of this.”

  “You’re doing fine. Yes, I was always on the well-endowed—have to wear a magnum sized condom—side of things. But after the transition, I’m left with this.”

  “Wow.” I look at his face, his handsome, handsome face. “I really will show you my boobs if it’ll make you feel less exposed.”

  “As much as I’d love to see them, I don’t think that would help my current situation,” he says.

  “Jace,” I whisper.

  Our faces are so close now and I want to lean all the way in and press my lips to his. But I don’t want to take advantage. I mean as comical as the situation might sound, he’s been on the receiving end of some bad behavior by human women.

  “Can I kiss you?” I ask.

  He growls and leans in, gripping my chin and placing me just so, to where our mouths meet. Despite the aggressive sounding growl, his kiss is soft.

  “Is this who you ghosted me for?” a voice comes from the open doorway. “The freak who can’t put his dick away?”

  I look up to see that saber-tooth tiger guy standing like the Hulk. He’s breathing fast and his shoulders are all knotted up by his ears and I’m realizing that’s what bothered me about this guy. He has no discernible neck. I mean I’m sure it’s there somewhere. And obviously his neck, or lack thereof, is not relevant at the moment.

  Pretty sure Chris was probably a beefed-up frat boy before his transition.

  I stand up, but Jace grabs my wrist. “Did you follow me here?”

  Chris comes closer, his lips curl up and a strange, shrill whining sound comes from his throat. The light glances off of his fangs, drawing attention to them.

  “Stand up, dick boy. Come fight me like a real man,” Chris says.

  And I, being the ever-helpful girl that I am, laugh. Hysterically.

  Jace squeezes my wrist.

  “Oh, is he serious?” I ask. Then I look up at Chris again. “Are you serious?” I shake off Jace’s hold and walk around to the front of the piano.

  “Harriet,” Jace says, his tone full of warning.

  I nod, but I keep my eyes focused on the big kitty cat who’s got his whiskers in a twist. “Listen, we had coffee twice and that’s me being generous because the first time didn’t really count. We are not in a relationship. I did not ghost you. I’m just not interested.”

  “My dick is pretty big too, I just don’t have it hanging out all the time,” Chris says. “And mine has barbs on it. Consider it ribbed for your pleasure.”

  I think I might have just thrown up in my mouth. “Oh for fuck’s sake,” I murmur. “That does not make me want you.”

  “Careful,” Jace warns.

  “Can you just leave, please?” I ask Chris.

  I hear the scrape of the bench behind me, then Jace’s hooves clip-clip against the stone floor. Then a wall of heat warms my back, though he’s not actually touching me.

  “You heard the lady,” Jace says, his voice stern and growly.

  The deep timbre of his voice is like a soft caress against the backs of my arms. I shiver. He’s so sexy. I am definitely hot for teacher when it comes to him.

  Chris makes that weird growling noise again and I realize it does sound similar to a house cat’s. I won’t tell him that.

  “When you’re done with this freak, you know where to find me,” Chris says. Then he glares at Jace. “But you and I are not done, dick boy. You better watch your back.” Then he swipes his hand through the air, his fingers now tipped with rapier-sharp claws.

  Finally, he leaves. I sag against Jace, who manages to hold me upright. The press of his heavy erection against my back shoots awareness through my body.

  He sucks a breath in through his teeth. “Goddammit,” he says.

  “I’m sorry he threatened you. I had no idea he’d gotten attached to me or whatever. I mean I never gave him any indication that I welcomed that kind of possessive behavior.”

  “You dated him?” Jace’s hands grab my arms, but he makes no move to try to turn me to face him, just holds me in place.

  “We sat at the same table once, at Lucky Beans. We exchanged a few sentences and then he asked me to meet him a second time and well, I wanted some matcha tea, so I went. We have absolutely nothing in common. And he has no neck.”

  I lean further into Jace. “There’s no spark with him.” Jace’s hands tighten and he straightens my body lifting it away from his. I close my eyes.

  He steps away from me, leaving me cold without the warmth from his large frame.

  “We can’t do this,” he says. “I can’t do anything with you, Harriet. No matter how much I might want to.”

  I spin to face him. “Why is that? Is it because I was your student? Because I’m younger than you?”

  He frowns. “No, it’s because you’re a human and I’m a fucking monster. This,” he points at his dick. “Is becoming more and more difficult to control.”

  “Then let me help you,” I offer.

  He shakes his head. “And risk me hurting you because of my fever? No!” He slashes a hand through the air. “I will not injure you for something that wouldn’t even work.”

  “How do you know it won’t work? How do you know I can’t break your curse?” I ask.

  “I’m beyond saving now. I can’t expect someone as beautiful and perfect as you to be able to—” He shakes his head. “Don’t come back here,” Harriet.” Then he turns and sprints away.

  chapter nine

  Harriet

  And that is what spurs me into action. First, I call the sheriff. He’s a minotaur, for the record, and seems to be a good guy. But he had a word of warning for me—Chris has a temper and his threats should not be considered empty. They’ve evidently had some issues with him in the past.

  Nothing too violent so far, but he seems to be extremely territorial. So, if he felt he had a claim on me, then he might make good on his threat to Jace.

  Ultimately there was nothing the sheriff could do since the threat wasn’t made against me and instead another party. But I know Jace won’t make a formal complaint.

  I tried messaging him to convince him, but he’s not worried. Refuses to take it serious at all. So now I have to take matters into my own hands. Grab the bull by the horns. Or the satyr’s horns, as it were.

  All I can think about is the fact that Jace’s horns and hooves won’t protect him against the claws and fangs on the beefed-up, angry kitty.

  So, for the third night in a row, I come to the abandoned church. The music pours out into the darkness. I grip the zip ties in my hand tighter. In my other hand, I’m holding my secret weapon, flowers from the valerian plant. Thanks to a little tidbit Jace’s friend, Xander, shared with me.

  The conversation was brief, but went something like this…

  “So, I need to protect Jace from this cat dude in town that got his tail all twisted up because he thinks I belong to him. Or whatever. Jace isn’t taking the threat seriously and I’m afraid he’ll get hurt.”

  “You don’t think Jace can protect himself?” Xander asks.

  “No, it’s not that. I mean it’s sorta that, but only because he doesn’t have claws or fangs.”

  “True, but he’s got a mean mother fucking kick.”

  “Well, that’s good to know. But it’s my fault he’s in this mess and he refuses to take it seriously.”

  “What are you thinking you want to do?” Xander asks.

  “I want to kidnap him and take him somewhere I know he’ll be safe.”

  “You want to kidnap him? A nearly seven foot tall satyr?”

  “Yes?” it comes out as a question even though I don’t mean it that way.

  “Fuck, you’re perfect for him.”

  “Uh, thanks. So, does he have any weaknesses? I mean I don’t suppose if I startle him—say throw a ball at him—it’ll make him faint? Like those adorable fainting goats.”

  Xander laughs. “That would be fucking awesome if he did that, but no. He’s not a fainting goat. Okay, here’s what you need. He has an allergy or is just super sensitive to valerian flowers. We had to yank up all the plants over by that church where he plays piano because it makes him crazy lethargic.”

  “Perfect!”

  “So, get him woozy and then zip tie his hands together and throw him in your car. It wears off quickly though, so you need to be quick.”

  And now here I am in my car with a very surly and unamused satyr in my back seat.

  “Harriet, this is ridiculous,” Jace mutters from behind me.

  “Can you just humor me, please? Or I can turn around and we can go directly to the sheriff’s office, and you can file a complaint.”

  He turns and stares out the window, his jawline clenches.

  “He’s dangerous.”

  “I can protect myself,” he growls.

  “Well, that might be, but I want to make sure you’re safe since this whole mess is my fault.”

  I pull around the back of Atticus and Vivian’s house to the gravel drive behind.

  “Where are we?” he asks.

  “My friend Vivian and her zom-bae live here.” I turn around and face him with a big grin. “Did you see what I did there?”

  “You’re about as subtle as my dick.”

  I gasp. “Jace! Did you make a joke?”

  He rolls those golden eyes. “I do have a sense of humor. You should remember that from my classes.”

  “Oh, I do,” I say. I get out of the car and then go around to the back to unlock his door and help him out.

  “Do your friends know you kidnapped me?”

  “Yes. And so does your friend, Xander. It was actually his idea for me to use the valerian flowers.”

  “He’s a fucker.”

  I laugh. “Come on, grumpy, let’s get you inside and I can untie you.” Then I wiggle my eyebrows at him. “Or maybe I’ll leave you restrained and have my way with you.”

  “Don’t joke about that, Harriet.”

  I swallow the lump in my throat. “Why are you assuming it’s a joke. I kissed you last night. I probably would have done more if Steroid Kitty hadn’t shown up.”

  He barks out a laugh. “Stop making this pleasant.”

  “Do you want to be angry with me?” I ask.

  He glares at me.

  “Because I have to tell you that the whole growly, scowly thing you have going only makes you more attractive.”

  He just grunts in response, which makes me giggle.

  I lead him inside the cottage which, though it’s called a gardener’s cottage, is actually a three-bedroom home with all the other amenities of a fully functional house.

  I type in the security code by the door and give Jace a pointed look. “We’re locked inside and cat-boy can’t get in.” I cut the zip ties off his wrists. “Plus, Atticus has cameras installed outside. So we’d be alerted if he came onto the property.”

  “This is ridiculous. I’m a grown man.” He tugs on his tail. “Well, satyr. Whatever.”

  “Vivian said she had the kitchen fully stocked for us. Are you hungry?”

  “Always.” He follows behind me, hooves scraping against the tile floor as he moves.

  He grabs an apple off the bowl on the granite countertop and bites into it.

  “Do you think there’s a reason why you turned into a satyr? Like does the type of monster reflect something about your character.”

  He pauses his chewing briefly before finishing and swallowing. “I don’t know. Never actually thought about it.”

  “Are there any other satyrs?” I ask.

  He shrugs. “None of my friends are satyrs, but I didn’t live here when that night happened. My former fiancee wanted to go to the town’s Halloween party.”

  “You were engaged? Is she still here in town?”

  “Yes and no. She left shortly after the incident.”

  “I’m sorry,” I say.

  He shakes his head. “Don’t be. I’m not. We were all wrong for each other. Right on paper, I suppose. She’s a fellow music professor. Brilliant in her own right, but we didn’t love each other.”

  Should that make me feel better? That he got hurt right after being turned into a satyr? Because I’m not gonna lie, it does make me feel better. I like knowing he didn’t love her.

  I realize that doesn’t mean he loves me. But couldn’t it mean that the possibility exists?

  “In fact, I compiled all my research and what I would use if I could testify on your brother’s behalf. I sent it to Lynn.”

  I inhale sharply. “You had no right to do that. What if she uses any of that and twists it on behalf of the other party? Jace.” I shake my head and grab my phone sending a text to my brother.

  ME: Hey you. How are things today?

  STEVEN: Good. This song is all vibrance and heat.

  ME: You’re composing?

  STEVEN: Yes. It should be ready soon. I think it’s about you. It’s like a pink flame.

  I swipe at my eyes. God, I love my brother.

  ME: You should call it Harriet’s theme.

  STEVEN: We’ll see.

  STEVEN: Did you hear from my attorney?

  My stomach drops and a wave of nausea rolls through me. I shoot a glare at Jace. I shouldn’t be angry with him. I asked him for help. Begged him. I know that he can’t very well clomp into a courtroom outside of Screaming Woods. Doesn’t matter how brilliant Jace is, he could never do what I asked of him. Yet, he still tried to help.

  “I’m sorry I yelled. I know you were just trying to help,” I say.

  “I get it. You’re protective of your brother,” he says, turning to walk out of the kitchen.

  I send another text to Steven.

  ME: No. Why?

  STEVEN: Evidently some expert presented a solid explanation of how the plaintiff’s claims were false.

  STEVEN: They dropped the case.

  ME: Oh my God, Steven, why didn’t you call me? We could have celebrated.

  STEVEN: I am celebrating. Harriet’s theme, remember?

  ME: Yes. I love you, little bro.

  STEVEN:

  STEVEN: Thank you for whatever you did for the lawsuit. I know you had something to do with it.

  ME: Any time.

  chapter ten

  Jace

  I am ridiculously gone enough for this woman that I’m grinning, thinking we just had our first couple fight. But we’re not a couple. We’ll never be a couple.

  I walk by one of the security panels on the wall and there’s a light blinking. I tap the screen and a grey video of the outside comes into view. There’s that fucking cat, skulking around trying to get near the front door.

  I’m done messing with this. We’re adults; we can resolve this without resorting to playground antics. I tap in the code that I saw Harriet use—she’s not nearly as stealthy as she thinks she is—and it disarms the alarm.

  I open the front door and there he is. He jerks a little when he sees me, then he starts that kitty growl of his. I step out onto the porch.

  “The lady has told you multiple times that she does not wish to spend time with you. You have no claim on her,” I say.

  He spreads his arms out—Wolverine style—and though he does have claws, they’re not nearly as impressive as the X-man’s.

  I walk towards him, stepping off the porch and into the yard.

  “Jace! What are you doing?” Harriet yells from the doorway.

  “I’ve got this, beautiful. Just go back inside,” I say, never taking my eyes off of the beast in front of me.

  “I will do no such thing.”

  “We’re just going to discuss this like men, aren’t we, Chris?” I ask.

  He snarls at me. “I don’t have anything to say to you. I’m just here to mess you up.”

  I raise my brows, knowing fully well that I’m poking the proverbial bear. “Oh, did you come here to kick my ass? Is that what’s going on?” I ask.

  “Damn right I am. I told you in the woods that this wasn’t over. I saw her first.” He says the last sentence, one tense word at a time.

  “Her is right here,” Harriet says, her words dripping with annoyance. “And she gets a say. You don’t just get to decide I’m yours. She marches past me and goes straight up to Chris.

  “Harriet, get back behind me, please,” I say.

  “I’ll have you know that if that’s the measure we’re using as to which one of you has a claim on me, then Jace wins because I’ve known him for a couple of years,” she says.

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Chris says.

 

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