Page 61 of The Curse of Redwood

“Nothing,” I lied. “I think I’m just tired.”

He nodded, and it made me feel guilty that he believed me so easily. Or maybe he was just a good actor.

“Did you ever wear your hair back?” I asked, gliding my hand along the soft strands.

He turned to me with his eyebrow raised. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

I shrugged. “No reason. Just thought you’d look hot that way. I should leave for work.”

Zeke smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re certain there’s nothing else you wish to discuss?”

“Nope.” I leaned in to kiss him. “I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow. Unless you want me to dump you for Taylor?”

His eyes narrowed. “Keep testing me, and I’ll bend you over that couch and remind you of who you belong to.”

“So I belong to you now, do I?” I teased.

He averted his eyes. “Only if you desire to.”

I grabbed his chin and forced him to look at me. So he could see the truth of my words. “I do. I don’t want anyone else.”

“We will discuss it more later,” he said, before heading toward the archway leading from the parlor.

Zeke had suffered through a lot of grief in his existence, both while alive and in death. Men he took as lovers all had eventually died or moved on, leaving him alone. I understood his reluctance with me… but I wanted him to realize I wouldn’t change my mind. This life with him could work. Somehow.

He walked me to the back door, but before I left, I felt a tug on the back of my shirt. I turned to see William standing behind me, hat in his hands as he frowned.

“You promised to play with me.”

Shit.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and glanced at the time. I had a little over an hour before I had to be at the store.

“One game of hide and seek,” I said, holding up a finger. “Then, I have to go to work.”

“I’ll find you this time!” William exclaimed, before turning his back to me. “Hide real good, okay?”

“Make sure he doesn’t cheat,” I told Zeke.

“I will.” Zeke lightly chuckled and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “But I’m sure if you need to leave, the game can be postponed until tomorrow.”

“A promise is a promise,” I said.

William glanced back at me and smiled.

I made it to work with five minutes to spare. We ended up playing three rounds instead of one, mainly because I was having fun and lost track of time.

“You seem happy today,” Rich said, eyeing me over a display ofDragon Ball Zmerchandise.

“I am.”

“Man, I’m glad.” He came over and threw an arm around my neck. “I was worried about ya for a while. T said he’s been hangin’ with you a lot.”

“He has. Hope that’s cool with you.”

“Of course it is,” Rich said like it was the dumbest thing he’d ever heard. “I want my two favorite boys to get along.”

I caught myself smiling a lot that afternoon. The reason? Zeke wanted this thing between us as much as I did. We’d jump over hurdles as we got to them, but for now I just wanted to bask in the feeling of falling in love.