Crossing Arizona (State of Us, #2)

by Bree Wiley

The man didn’t even work up to it. He just choked me down like an Oscar Meyer hotdog.

“Am I doing something wrong?” “No, no,” I shake my head quickly, wrapping my arms and legs around him even though the position is slightly awkward. “You’re doing so good, Ducky. Fuck, I’m so full. I just…want to be your first.” Huffing, he lays himself flat on top of me, burying his face in my chest. “Who else, Matthew? You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.”

“What—" My voice catches, and I stare at him, blinking like maybe the duck will disappear if I look hard enough. “What the hell are you doing here? And what is that?” I point at the duck because, honestly, what the fuck? “It’s a duck,” Xed says like that explains anything. His tone is flat, but there’s a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “Obviously.” “No, I mean—" I rub my eyes, still in disbelief. “Why are you holding a duck at my front door, Xed?” He shuffles his feet awkwardly, looking down at the duck like it’ll explain everything. “It’s… a peace offering.” “A duck is your peace offering?” “Well, yeah.” He frowns like I’m the weird one. “You like ducks.”

“Fucking cock-blocking duck.”