Page 50 of Zombies, Satyrs and Vampires, Oh My!

The owner calls me over to the piano to discuss the basics with me. I listen idly, then see Vivian and Atticus walk in. Xander and Galina are sitting off to my left. Even Chris, the one-fanged cat is there with his girlfriend; she’s some sort of rodent. I’ve never met her, but I’m told she has whiskers and a long tail and twitches her pointed nose nervously.

Finally, it’s time for me to take my place at the piano and I just start playing. I have no planned set of songs; I’m just playing what I feel. I try to focus on more popular tunes rather than classical pieces so that the audience can sing if they want. I don’t sing, but I can clearly hear Harry’s voice out in the crowd.

I make it through several songs before I speak into the microphone in front of me.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m going to take a short break, but I want to invite Steven Chambers up here to play for you. He has a special song he wants to share.”

Harriet gasps, putting her hand on her heart as her brother walks to the piano. I pat him on the back, then go and sit next to Harry. She leans over and kisses my cheek.

Steven’s voice clears, then he leans towards the microphone. “This is a song I wrote. It’s called Harriet’s Love.” Then his eyes close and his fingers fly over the keys. The piece is intricate and bold.

“Dance with me, beautiful,” I say, coming to my feet.

Harriet takes my hand and allows me to pull her to me, then we sway to the music.

“Happy?” I ask her.

“Deliriously so,” she says. Her cheek rests against my chest as we move together.

“Me too.”

The music slows in intensity and becomes soft and gentle. Steven’s a genius to have been able to capture every aspect of Harriet in one piece of music. It’s a masterpiece just like her.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring I’ve been carrying around with me for the last few weeks.

“Harriet?”

She hums against my chest.

“I want to ask you something. Because I think I could be happier, but I need your opinion.”

She leans back from my body. “You’re not happy?”

“Oh, I am. But I think I could be even happier,” I say.

Her brow furrows with a tiny frown.

I hold the ring up to her. “Would you be my wife?”

She squeals and pulls me closer. Then she kisses me. It’s hot and searching and needy.

Finally, she pulls back.

“Is that a yes?” I ask.

“Yes. Definitely a yes.”

I slide the ring on her finger. Seeing that band of metal wrapped around her digit does something to me. It’s a primal thing, I guess, though it seems kind of a silly thing for me to go all ancient cave-goat on her.

My dick hardens so quickly that I nearly get lightheaded. I press Harriet to my body.

“We might have to stay here close together for a little longer.”

She arches a brow at me.

“I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be hard in public.”