Stud Finder (1001 Dark Nights) Read online

  “I made s’mores the other day,” Taylor offers with a big smile, her bright blue eyes meeting mine. “They were so good.”

  Her so has eight syllables and all of them drip with innuendo.

  “That’s great,” I say, since I’m not interested in entertaining any syllables or innuendo with someone barely past puberty.

  “Do you like s’mores, Patrick?”

  “Who doesn’t like s’mores?”

  “I was wondering, though, if you might have any tips for me on how to make them. Like, how do I get the chocolate and marshmallow to come together perfectly.” She stops at the door, leans her hip against it suggestively, and twirls a strand of her hair.

  And I do believe s’mores porn is officially a thing.

  Even though I pride myself on making the world’s greatest version of the campfire treat, I keep my answer simple, but clear. “It’s all in how long you let the ingredients age,” I say, since Taylor is twenty, twenty-one at best. “See you next week.”

  I say goodbye and leave, catching a train downtown, then walking through the streets of lower Manhattan.

  Do I get stares because of the cat on my back?

  Hell, yeah.

  Do I enjoy it?

  Absolutely.

  I smile and nod, giving a few salutes and a couple of how are yous and even a meow as a little kid walks by with her mom and whispers while pointing at my shoulder. As if I don’t know there’s a badass pussycat purring in my ear.

  As I turn onto the block with my building, he’s not the only one purring.

  Because there, right fucking there in front of the lobby, wearing reflective sunglasses and jeans that hug her curves deliciously, is a certain woman.

  Mia Summers. Tiny but mighty. A powerful sprite with wavy hair, hazel eyes, a soft heart, and a quick wit that I just dig.

  I met her several months ago, and it’s safe to say she’s claimed center stage in my mind ever since then.

  When I see Mia, when I talk to Mia, when I spend time with Mia, it confirms my belief that some things are simple.

  Like whether a cat drags his whole body on the floor or he gamely trots alongside you.

  It’s a yes or no.

  A black or white.

  You’re either attracted to your best friend’s sister or you’re not.

  For the record, the answer is I am, so fucking much.

  On behalf of 1001 Dark Nights,

  Liz Berry and M.J. Rose would like to thank ~

  Steve Berry

  Doug Scofield

  Kim Guidroz

  Jillian Stein

  InkSlinger PR

  Dan Slater

  Asha Hossain

  Chris Graham

  Pamela Jamison

  Fedora Chen

  Kasi Alexander

  Jessica Johns

  Dylan Stockton

  Richard Blake

  BookTrib After Dark

  and Simon Lipskar

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Another Epilogue