Page 48 of By Rude Strength

LA laughed as they were suddenly right in each other’s space. “Hey, watch it. Don’t knock me over.”

“I’m not trying to!” Cass grinned. “I’m trying to clean up the mess, thank you!”

“Can’t you just use, you know, your magic and poof them into the kitchen?”

“Of course I can! But I figured if you were going to walk that way, it gave me a reason to join you!”

LA snorted, turning to walk around the coffee table. “Like you need one.”

“Hmm, I suppose that’s true.”

“You follow me everywhere else anyway.” LA grabbed their empty soda cans on his way to the kitchen. “Be almost weird now if you weren’t stuck up my ass.”

“I am bound to you, you know. I’m not quite sure what the exact distance is that tethers me to you, but I assume it’s quite close.” Cass hummed as he fell into step behind LA. “Besides, I don’t want to feel like I’m showing off or anything.”

“No, we wouldn’t want that.” LA leaned against the counter, watching Cass deposit the dishes.

Cass hovered close, resting a paw on the counter next to LA. “So!”

“So.” LA looked up at Cass, once more finding that they were standing very close, and he had no idea what else to say.

He could have made a joke about the scary movie.

Something about cake.

Anything.

And yet, all he could do was stare at Cass and get lost in his bright eyes.

“Elly, I…” Cass’s gaze drifted to LA’s lips.

“What?” LA inhaled sharply when he realized Cass was leaning in.

“You are so very lovely,” Cass said with a soft smile. “You’re kind, you’re funny, and you really are so much stronger than you even realize. I’m quite taken with you, but…” His eyes widened and he pulled away. “I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have—”

“Cass.” LA grabbed Cass’s shoulders. “Shut up.”

“Oh. I… Hmm. Wait.” Cass blinked. “Why am I shutting up?”

LA cupped Cass’s face, drawing him in close. “So I can do this.”

“Do what exactly? What is it? Did you need—”

LA kissed him.

Chapter seven

Cass’s lips were soft,sweet, and tasted like syrupy soda and rich cake. The swirl of his tongue was instantly intoxicating, not only because of its surprising length, but it also had a faint roughness that LA was eager to explore.

As far as first kisses went, it was pretty perfect.

The crush of Cass’s powerful arms made LA’s back twitch, but he couldn’t be bothered to care. Not when a kiss had never felt this hot or exciting—

Except Cass was stopping.

Wait, why was Cass stopping?

“Elly.” Cass cradled LA close, a bit breathless. “I, I meant what I said. Every word. About being taken with you and—”