That's par for the course since we moved. She'll settle eventually, but she fully intends to make me pay in the meantime. I don't mind. She was my mom's bird. She's smart as hell, but she fucking hates change since Mom died two years ago.
"Good girl," I croon, stroking the top of her head, which earns me another glare. But she's too busy snuggling her hedgehog to scream at me this time. It's progress. "You going to be good while I'm out today?"
Instead of answering, she shuffles further away on her perch.
I take that to mean hell no, and chuckle. "Fine, but if you don't behave, you don't get to watchLaw & Ordertonight."
She lifts one clawed foot, transferring the hedgehog from her beak to her foot. "Pretty Stabler."
"You can watch Stabler if you behave today."
"Asshole. You're an asshole."
"I know. You said that already."
She glares at me, shifting the hedgehog back to her beak.
"Behave," I murmur, closing the door to her cage so she doesn't try to destroy the goddamn furniture out of spite while I'm gone. With her, it's a possibility.
I grab my keys and head out, my gaze drifting toward Olive's house, even though I know she isn't home. She worked half the day today, and then left an hour ago, dressed in a cute little whitetop and a pair of jeans that hugged her round ass tight enough to make my mouth water.
My neighbor is a problem. A big fucking problem. She's the sexiest little thing I've ever seen, with the biggest green eyes and longest legs.
I've got a thesis to finish. Instead, I spend half my time fantasizing about wrapping her legs around my waist and driving into her until the only word she remembers is my name.
I spend just as much time watching her come and go. I should be reading Aeschylus. Instead, I'm reading smut so filthy I need a priest.
It's her fault. I saw her through the window while I was downtown, and I couldn't resist going into the bookstore. I didn't mean to make her nervous, but I saw it in her eyes. She's leery of me, suspicious.
I know damn well that showing up at the store again isn't going to do me any favors, but that isn't going to stop me, either. I want to see her again. Since she's adamantly refused to be caught outside for the last few days, the bookstore is my only option.
The drive downtown is quick. Santa Maria is a gorgeous little town, nestled between rolling hills and miles of vineyards, with ranches scattered all over. It's the exact kind of quiet I need to finish my thesis. At least, it was until I moved in next to a goddess.
I park out front of the bookstore, smirking when I see Olive's car parked halfway in a space in the parking lot. She's here again. Good.
I pocket the keys and hop out, striding for the doors.
She's standing in front of the counter with her back to the door, gesturing wildly. Whatever she's ranting about has her so riled up that she doesn't even hear the bell ding when I step inside.
I stop just inside the doorway, watching her.
"You cannot marry Heathcliff, Sarah," she growls. "And Darcy? You'd killDarcy? You have got to get your literary priorities right."
"Fine," Sarah says. "How would you do it?"
"Easiest answer ever," she says. "Fuck Rochester. Marry Darcy. Kill Heathcliff."
My brows pull together, something unfamiliar surging through me. It's wild and possessive, jealous as hell at the thought of her with anyone who isn't me.
Jesus Christ.
"I prefer it the other way," I growl.
"Shit!" she squeals, spinning around so fast she stumbles. Her eyes land on me, growing comically wide. "Mason."
"Hey, Rebel." I take a step toward her, smirking. "We need to stop meeting like this."
"Oh, really?" She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her tits up in her top. "So, you aren't here just to run into me?"