Page 46 of By Rude Strength

Kissing the monster was a very, very bad idea.

Even though Cass was looking at him like LA was the magical one and touching him like he was some sort of sacred treasure, and colorful bubbles were floating all around them…

Shit.

No.

Too soon, too fucking soon, too goddamn desperate.

LA broke first, smiling as he finished wiping off the icing, and then took a small step away. “So, hey, is the cake ready?”

“Yes! The cake! It is very ready. Ready right now.” Cass fluttered over to present the cake with a big wave of his paws. “Ta-da!”

“It looks awesome.” LA grabbed two plates out of the cabinet. “You know, this might be the first time I’ve ever baked something from scratch before.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Anything else was out of a box.” LA handed a plate to Cass.

“Thank you.” Cass had a knife in his paw now and carefully cut a thick slice of cake to stick on his plate.

LA took the knife and cut an even thicker slice for himself.

“You are going to have a tummy ache,” Cass warned, but he was smiling.

“Worth it.” LA got them forks and then opened the fridge again. “Want something to drink? I’ve got Dr Pepper and, uh, more Dr Pepper.”

“That’s fine! Thank you.” Cass took the cans right out of LA’s hands with his tail.

“Oh, okay.” LA smiled. “All right, I think we got everything.”

“And you’re sure this movie is more funny than scary?” Cass asked as he followed LA to the couch.

“Very sure.” LA sat, balancing the plate on his lap and offering one of the forks to Cass.

Cass sat beside him, and his tail set the sodas down on the coffee table. He accepted the fork with a wrinkle of his nose, saying, “I am going to trust you.”

“Aw, well, if it scares you, you can just come cuddle with me again.” LA smirked. “I’ll keep your nightmares away.”

“I know you’re only saying that to make fun of me, but thank you.” Cass huffed as he stabbed his cake. “I am going to pretend you mean it sincerely.”

LA poked the remote. “It’s gonna be fine. Just wait and see.”

“Oh, Alan Tudyk.” Cass sighed. “The things I do for you.”

LA patted Cass’s knee. “Eat your cake.”

“How is it? Have you tried it yet?”

LA took a big bite. “Mmm.”

“Is that a happy mmm?”

“Very. It’s great. Kinda hard to believe I had anything to do with it.”

“Why?” Cass smiled sweetly. “Maybe baking is an undiscovered talent!”

“Doubt it. Now pay attention. I don’t want you to miss any of the kills.”