yells.
Fucking hell. First Robin’s ill-timed outburst and now this…I can’t catch a break.
The clatter of silverware hitting plates follows more screeches.
Expecting Cadie to copy the women (and a surprising number of men) climbing onto their chairs, I’m shocked when she takes off her heels and dashes in the direction of the first scream.
Collapsing onto my own chair, I run my palms over my smooth scalp, a reminder I cut off my trademark mane on an impulse.
Why stop following my impulses now?
With that question guiding me, I knock back a straight shot and trudge after Cadie O’Shea and the rogue rodent who has interrupted my seduction plan. The sooner I send the furry fiend overboard, the sooner I can get down to some serious shagging.
Maybe.
Hopefully.
Ah…who the fuck knows.
The way things have been going, I’ll probably get a slap across the face. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
Chapter Four
Cadie
“Lose your dreams, and you might lose your mind.”
-Mick Jagger
My first rat was called Clyde.
His female cage mate, Bonnie, was his counterpart in crime. Both had provided hours of mindless entertainment and comfort following my mom’s accident, showing me just how ridiculous some people’s phobias are regarding rodents.
The idea that some ignorant passenger might intentionally harm one is enough to motivate me into action. As hard as it is to leave Shag Steal behind, waiting so gallantly to seat me, I force myself to move. The first thing I do is discard my high heels. Once they’re removed, I have no trouble winding through the tables at a brisk trot and dodging the few brave souls who aren’t huddled on their chairs.
I can’t help but laugh. Too bad Robin is missing the show.
“It’s under my jacket.” A thirty-something man points at a rumpled jacket a few feet from his chair, where he’s perched like a bird on a branch.
I look away, afraid if I give the situation too much thought, I’ll really lose it. The whole thing is hilarious, grown men and women afraid of an itty bitty critter. I’m guessing it belongs to someone, maybe an employee. The ship is too prestigious and clean to house a clan of rogue rats.
“I tossed my coat over it,” the man explains the obvious as if he’s prevented a national catastrophe.
Giving him a nod, I slow my pace and move cautiously toward the rat’s hiding place.
“Need some help?”
I recognize Shag’s voice immediately. He’s right behind me. His warm breath tickles my neck and his presence rattles me. Why is he standing so close?
“I’m good. Thank you,” I answer without turning around, hoping he’ll take the hint.
He doesn’t listen and maneuvers around me, reaching down.
Swatting his hand aside, I kneel by the bundle. “You’re going to scare him!”
“Him?”
“Him, her…it doesn’t matter. What matters is I don’t want the rat to get hurt.”
“What are you planning to do with him or her?”
I close my eyes and sigh, fighting the urge to give him a piece of my mind, which would end up being a major overreaction. Instead, I tell the truth. “I like rodents. I just want to make sure he’s okay and finds a safe place.”
“Did you find my Rico?” a familiar voice asks, sounding anxious yet hopeful. “He escaped from his cage. He’s quite the Houdini.”
The same man who made me look and feel like a princess rushes over, squatting next to me. “I should have known you’d like my babies,” Anthony Coleman teases while slipping his hand under the only thing keeping a boatload of people from complete hysteria.
God forbid, if this crowd was forced to face a real disaster…we’d be doomed.
“Ah, there you are.” Tony’s affection is apparent as he gently rescues his little pet.
A black and white face, nose twitching, peeks through his clasped hands, another escape plot already brewing.
Women squeal their displeasure, while the guys clamor down from their chairs, clearly
Fucking hell. First Robin’s ill-timed outburst and now this…I can’t catch a break.
The clatter of silverware hitting plates follows more screeches.
Expecting Cadie to copy the women (and a surprising number of men) climbing onto their chairs, I’m shocked when she takes off her heels and dashes in the direction of the first scream.
Collapsing onto my own chair, I run my palms over my smooth scalp, a reminder I cut off my trademark mane on an impulse.
Why stop following my impulses now?
With that question guiding me, I knock back a straight shot and trudge after Cadie O’Shea and the rogue rodent who has interrupted my seduction plan. The sooner I send the furry fiend overboard, the sooner I can get down to some serious shagging.
Maybe.
Hopefully.
Ah…who the fuck knows.
The way things have been going, I’ll probably get a slap across the face. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
Chapter Four
Cadie
“Lose your dreams, and you might lose your mind.”
-Mick Jagger
My first rat was called Clyde.
His female cage mate, Bonnie, was his counterpart in crime. Both had provided hours of mindless entertainment and comfort following my mom’s accident, showing me just how ridiculous some people’s phobias are regarding rodents.
The idea that some ignorant passenger might intentionally harm one is enough to motivate me into action. As hard as it is to leave Shag Steal behind, waiting so gallantly to seat me, I force myself to move. The first thing I do is discard my high heels. Once they’re removed, I have no trouble winding through the tables at a brisk trot and dodging the few brave souls who aren’t huddled on their chairs.
I can’t help but laugh. Too bad Robin is missing the show.
“It’s under my jacket.” A thirty-something man points at a rumpled jacket a few feet from his chair, where he’s perched like a bird on a branch.
I look away, afraid if I give the situation too much thought, I’ll really lose it. The whole thing is hilarious, grown men and women afraid of an itty bitty critter. I’m guessing it belongs to someone, maybe an employee. The ship is too prestigious and clean to house a clan of rogue rats.
“I tossed my coat over it,” the man explains the obvious as if he’s prevented a national catastrophe.
Giving him a nod, I slow my pace and move cautiously toward the rat’s hiding place.
“Need some help?”
I recognize Shag’s voice immediately. He’s right behind me. His warm breath tickles my neck and his presence rattles me. Why is he standing so close?
“I’m good. Thank you,” I answer without turning around, hoping he’ll take the hint.
He doesn’t listen and maneuvers around me, reaching down.
Swatting his hand aside, I kneel by the bundle. “You’re going to scare him!”
“Him?”
“Him, her…it doesn’t matter. What matters is I don’t want the rat to get hurt.”
“What are you planning to do with him or her?”
I close my eyes and sigh, fighting the urge to give him a piece of my mind, which would end up being a major overreaction. Instead, I tell the truth. “I like rodents. I just want to make sure he’s okay and finds a safe place.”
“Did you find my Rico?” a familiar voice asks, sounding anxious yet hopeful. “He escaped from his cage. He’s quite the Houdini.”
The same man who made me look and feel like a princess rushes over, squatting next to me. “I should have known you’d like my babies,” Anthony Coleman teases while slipping his hand under the only thing keeping a boatload of people from complete hysteria.
God forbid, if this crowd was forced to face a real disaster…we’d be doomed.
“Ah, there you are.” Tony’s affection is apparent as he gently rescues his little pet.
A black and white face, nose twitching, peeks through his clasped hands, another escape plot already brewing.
Women squeal their displeasure, while the guys clamor down from their chairs, clearly
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