Except... he remembered Mallie encouraging him to surprise the demon.
If Duke was surprised enough, maybe he might forget about Nat calling him a gift goat?
A little desperate now, Nat squirmed off the bed and grabbed his clothes off the floor, where Duke had dropped them. He dashed into Duke’s closet and stuffed them behind the nearest pile of folded clothes.
Nat had taken too long; Duke sounded as though he was about to leave the bathroom.
With a running leap, Nat landed on the bed and shifted into a raccoon, burrowing between the pillows seconds before Duke stepped out.
Through a gap in the pillows, he watched as Duke paused. “Nat?”
Duke’s forehead furrowed. He moved carefully toward the bed, looking around the room. His concern grew.
Then he turned to the crib, saw Wanda, and visibly relaxed.
Had he thought that Nat had left him? Guilt pricked at Nat’s conscience.
“I’m guessing that you’ll be back, since you left Wanda in her crib,” Duke murmured.
He got back into bed and almost squished Nat when he laid back against the pillows. Nat had to stuff his bushy tail over his snout to stop himself from making a sound.
Duke exhaled and grabbed his phone, scrolling through his apps. Nat watched him for a while.
Duke wouldn’t mind being surprised, right?
Ever so carefully, Nat clambered onto the pillows. He made sure to keep out of Duke’s sight, clutching his tail tightly to himself.
And now he was right behind Duke, staring at Duke’s deep red skin. Duke had dropped his glamour sometime in the bathroom. This close, he was warm like a furnace.
Nat held his tail ramrod straight and pushed it slowly out along Duke’s neck like a fishing rod, being very careful not to touch his skin.
He eased it under Duke’s jaw and chin. Before Duke could react, Nat angled his tail up, stuffing its tip against Duke’s nostrils.
Duke made a surprised sound and sneezed.
The movement jolted Nat off balance; he yelped as he toppled over Duke’s shoulder, bracing himself for a bad impact.
Large hands caught him and set him upright on his feet.
Nat carefully cracked his eyes open.
“Nat,” Duke said exasperatedly. He was smiling, though. “What the hell was that?”
“Surprise!” Nat threw his paws in the air. “Were you surprised? Was that funny?”
Duke snorted. “Youare funny. And yes, I was surprised.” He scooped Nat into his arms, cradling Nat against his muscular chest.
“Wow, pecs,” Nat said, releasing his tail to knead the lush muscle with his paws.
Duke smirked. “Surely you’ve seen and touched chests before.”
“They look like mountains when I’m this small.”
“Well, feel free to climb them, but don’t stick your paws in my mouth.” Duke laid back against the pillows, closing his eyes.
Nat stared openly at him. “You trust me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
