Under Loch and Key

by Lana Ferguson

“But Nessie has always been a girl!” “I did try to hint at the falsity of that, you remember,” I remind her. “Outside of Loch Land.” “Yeah, but I just thought you were being a dick.” “No, I was trying to tell you that Nessie has a dick.”

Because apparently, even if your family doesn’t want you, you’re still set on sticking around. I mentally scoff at the chiding tone of my own brain. As if someone wouldn’t stick around if they found the actual Loch Ness Monster.

turn, no doubt doing her best to catch me alone and grill me about what she knows.

I hate how fucking lovely she looks when she’s being a pain in my arse.

“I told you,” he says, his deep brogue heavier and his voice sounding gravelly. “I don’t lose control.” His lips skirt along my throat until he can kiss the sensitive spot beneath my ear. “But you make me fucking want to.”

She smells like something soft and sweet, her shampoo maybe—but she tastes like honey and sunshine and every good memory I’ve ever had, however few. How can I possibly push her away when she’s the first thing I’ve allowed myself to hope for in years?

Because in a world where it feels like I’ve never had much of anything…it suddenly feels like I have everything to lose.

I’m still lapping at her gently when she says, “Oh my fucking God.” “Aye,” I chuckle. “Lachlan is just fine.”

You are not who you are because of where you come from; you are who you are because of where you choose to go.”

You are not who you are because of where you come from; you are who you are because of where you choose to go.