Rough Around the Hedges Snippet (Patreon)

Today's snippet comes from Rough Around the Hedges, my follow up book to A Little Too Familiar. The snippet includes Will, Declan and Bay, as well as Ritual Ink, the tattoo shop Bay owns. Enjoy! (The snippet is from Will's perspective.)

*

Ritual Ink was my happy place. Cozy, warm, and full of some of the people I loved best. I threw my stuff into my cubby in the back room, snatching a cookie from a plate on the counter. Declan had been baking again.

I sauntered up to the counter, where my favorite werewolf was hunched over the keyboard, scowling at the schedule. I shoved the last of my cookie into my mouth, came up behind him, and wrapped my arms around his chest, snuggling into his back.

He didn’t even look up, just patted my arms. “Hi, Will.”

I sighed. “You smell fantastic. Like vetiver and man.”

He laughed. “Did you take that from your book club book?” Declan knew all about Nana’s bookclub.

“Sure ‘nuff.”

Declan leaned back into the cuddle. “What does vetiver smell like, anyway? I’ve always wondered.”

“Like man, I guess.” I kissed the top of his head and let go. “Kind of earthy. Grassy.”

“So I smell dirty?”

I clicked my tongue at him. “I like you dirty.”

Bay snorted as he walked through the door shuffling papers. “If you’re flirting with Declan, does that mean your date went well or went poorly?”

I pushed his papers down, grabbing his full attention. “Jealous? You know you’ll always be my boo.”

Bay set the papers down, irritated. “I know that. I’m insulted that you think I’d be so petty as to begrudge my boy here--” he waved at Declan, “--some affection.”

“Sorry, pookie.” I patted his shoulder, ignoring Declan as he shook with silent laughter. It was good to see him laugh. “How my date went is a matter of interpretation. As an actual date, it was a non-starter. As a body piercer?” I leaned over Declan’s shoulder. “Is my 2:30 slot still open?”

Declan clicked through to today’s screen. “Yeah.”

“Cool. Block it off. I’m doing a set of nipples.” I took out my phone and texted Marci, letting her know we were good to go.

Bay folded his arms. “You keep making friends with them. I can’t tell if you’re really good at dating, or absolutely terrible.”