Page 44 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

“Don’t waste your time, boys,” said Carnal. “She’s not interested in hybrids.”

“Oh. So you tried running the flag up that pole already.” That was Easy’s contribution to the taunt.

Carnal took a drink of cider, looking at Rosie as he did. “Just sayin’.”

Joy grinned at Rosie. “Maybe she’s just not interested in hybrid boys. How you feel about females, sweet thing?”

“Well, Joy, if I did girls, you’d definitely be at the top of the list.” They all laughed as Rosie finished setting ciders in front of them. She glanced over at Carnal. Her comment had brought the twinkle back to his eyes. “I never said I wasn’t interested in hybrids.” Rosie heard herself speaking, but couldn’t believe she’d invited commentary on the subject.

All four of Carnal’s ‘crew’ stopped and looked over at him to see how he’d respond. He continued to stare at Rosie with a blank expression, sipping his cider, but saying nothing more.

“So, Rosie,” Clash said. “You ever been on a bike?”

“As a matter of fact I haven’t,” she replied.

“Well, hey. I got time to take you for a ride.”

She didn’t have time to decipher whether or not there was innuendo there. Carnal stood so fast it startled Rosie. She jerked back, knocking over one of the ciders in the process. Whatever had gotten him going was set aside as his attention was diverted by cider spilling over the bar.

“Criminently, Carnal. You think you might move in something less than warp speed?” she asked.

He looked at the spilled cider and at Rosie rushing to contain it with bar rags.

“What’s warp speed?” He sounded like he was at a loss.

“Just… It means really, really fast.” Rosie alternated swiping at the mess and dropping soaked rags in the sink, while Carnal watched, looking like he had no idea what to do. “Never mind.”

When she had finished cleaning up the mess, she looked at Carnal and pointed to the spot where his cider had been before it was spilled.

“Want another?” she asked.

Carnal looked at his ‘crew’ who looked like they couldn’t wait to see what he’d do next. “Everybody out.”

When Rosie saw the others leaving, she started to follow them. He caught hold of her arm. “Not you.”

“You said ‘everybody’.”

“Not. You,” he clipped. When the door closed and they were the only two people left in the bar area, he said, “If you want a ride,I’llbe the one to give it.” She blinked slowly. He looked around. “Can you leave?”

“No,” she said. “Dandy would have a cow.”

Carnal stared, looking like he was trying to form an image of that and not liking what he was seeing in his head.

“You want to go with me?” he demanded.

Rosie hesitated, thinking she could be making one of the biggest mistakes ever, but said, “Yes.”

Carnal’s face softened. “When?”

“Um. I can get somebody to cover for me tomorrow afternoon.”

He stepped toward her, rested his hands on her waist, leaned close, and spoke quietly. “Tomorrow.”

“Yes.” She liked the fact that he smiled when she said that word, but at the same time, she was a little afraid of the kind of smile she was getting from Carnal. “I’m saying yes to a ride. Right? Nothing more.”

Carnal nodded. “Nothing more.” He put his finger under her chin and tipped her face up. “Nothing less.” The first was an acquiescence. The latter sounded like a warning.

She grinned. “Nothing less.”