Chapter 8
chapter
eight
Harriet
I’m not even going to pretend to stay away. I know I told him I’d leave him alone. But he didn’t respond to that, and it feels like there are things left unsaid.
Besides that, I know there’s something between us, even if Jace is being stubborn about it.
It goes beyond Steven’s lawsuit. Do I still want Jace’s help? Of course, but that is not a contingency I’m willing to put on whatever is developing between us.
This time he must be expecting me to arrive because when I breach the opening in the woods where the church sits, the music stops. I step into the stone building and he nods.
“Harriet,” he says.
“You don’t seem surprised that I’m back.”
A ghost of a smile plays across his lips. “You’re persistent so I figured the odds were good you’d return.”
“I’m not here about my brother or the lawsuit or whatever.”
“Then why are you here?” he asks. He’s still sitting behind the piano.
“Because I like you and I think you like me too. I just want to spend some time together.”
“You like me?”
I smile at him. “Surely you noticed that I took three of your classes and then audited another two.”
He releases a tight chuckle. “But all you ever saw were my hands.”
“And heard your voice.” I bite down on my bottom lip.
“Maybe it’s inappropriate for me to say since you were once my professor, but it was your voice that made me keep coming back for more.
After the initial music theory class, I understood enough to have better comprehension when talking to my brother. I didn’t need the additional classes.”
“But you wanted to hear my voice?”
“Yes, but also, just be near you. If that makes any sense.” I can’t tell how he’s taking any of these revelations so I chuckle and try to hedge my bets. “I’m sure plenty of your students have had crushes on you.”
I move closer, but he doesn’t demand I stay away.
Those golden eyes of his widen as I get close enough to put my hand on the top of the piano. The old wood isn’t as smooth as it once was, there are initials and designs carved into the piano’s exterior. I follow one such indentation with my thumbnail, sliding into the groove.
“Harriet, I should tell you something,” he says.
I stare into his face. “Is this about your dick?”
The shock in his expression is priceless. Especially because his adorable goat ears lift, then wiggle. “You know?”
I shrug. “Of course, I’ve heard. People in this town are extremely protective of you. Which is as adorable as it is admirable.”
He blows out a breath and his hand scrapes across his trimmed beard. “Things got out of hand for a while after we all initially changed. It caused some issues and I pretty much just went into hiding. It makes everyone more comfortable that way.”
“They miss you,” I tell him. “I heard that the piano at Down the Rabbit Hole hasn’t been touched since the last time you played.”
He smiles wistfully and it makes me sad that he’s forced himself into exile.
“You know, if we’re going to be friends, then I’m going to have to see it sooner or later,” I say.
“Is that what we’re doing? Becoming friends?” he asks.
“I hope so. I mean I already feel like I know you.” I slowly skirt my way around the piano. But I keep my eyes on his face. “I know your voice and your hands and your mind.” I take a seat on the bench next to him.
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.