It’s been weeks since she met her Birdboy. 

It’s late summer, and he’s always at their meeting place, it seems. Today is no different.

His head snaps up as soon as she’s in shouting distance, and she sees him smile. It’s soft at first before it takes on a wicked angle. He must have thought of a new way to tease her.

“Thandi, good evening.”

“Good morning, sir Birdboy.”

There’s an airy laugh as he pushes himself up, striding toward her with a purpose. “What’s the agenda today? Tend the garden, ogle me, and what else?” As always, he leans close to her, and she catches that minty tone with the smell of his exertions. She watches a drop of sweat bead and roll down his chest, biting her lip.

“Ogling is all you’re good for, truly. Maybe I’ll tell you on our walk?”

He steps closer and she puts out her hand, stopping him before he gets closer. She’s noticed that he objects much less to her touch now. It’s curious, how he plays. Surely he’s got experience with touch?

Her palm presses flat to his bare chest, and he tilts his head ever so slightly, daring her to touch his hair. That glimmer he gets when he’s enjoying himself is intense. Usually he’d balk as she reaches up, but his smile only gets wider.

The offending lock of hair is carefully tucked behind his ear, and he takes her hand as she pulls away from his face. This is new. He doesn’t touch hands. 

There’s a beat as he gathers his resolve, then she feels his lips on her palm. He kisses her hand, eyeing her as he does this, triumphant when she reddens. The kisses get closer to her fingertips. He opens his mouth.

He takes a finger and sucks on it.

Oh dear. Thandi gapes, astonished at his boldness, shock prompting him to slide off her finger. And move on to the next.

“B-Birdboy! What are you doing?!”

Her hand is released and he smiles at her again. “Hassling you. I like when you get like this.”

“Right, of course, you love setting me off. But perhaps we can find something a little less!! Unhygienic?”

“Where have you been putting your hands that I should worry?” The way he says this, it reminds her of a cat purring. She laughs.

“Your mouth, I should say.”

“Then it’s fine.”

I’m binding this book this month and you know what that means!

Cover.