“You were distracting me.”
“You were the one feeling me up and making it obvious we’re fucking. What’s up with that?”
“Didn’t realize it was a secret.”
“It’s not. But that doesn’t mean you have to announce it either.”
“Like C wouldn’t spot it in an instant.”
“What did he mean about the grail?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re lying.” I side-eye him. “You’ve got some bet going, and I better not be a part of it.”
He smiles, lifts my hand to his mouth, and brushes a kiss across my knuckles. “It’s all good, Web. Just guy stuff.”
“Hmph.”
A moment passes. Then quietly, he adds, “You coming home with me?”
It’s not pushy. Just open. An invitation without pressure.
I look at him. At the way his lips still hover near my skin. At the heat behind his eyes like he already knows I’ll say yes but still wants to hear me say it.
“Okay.”
“Good.” His mouth curves and he lowers my hand to rest on his leg, not letting it go.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dice
Carte blanche.
Iunlock the door and Queenie darts in as if she’s home. Lot strolls in behind her, boots off, hips swinging, body butter fragrant and heady—something that’s been tormenting me all night.
She pauses just inside the bedroom, brows pinched. “Where’s my bag and all my clothes?”
“I put the clean stuff in the drawer. The rest’s in the wash… with mine.”
She stares at me, eyes squinted, lips pursed. Surprised? Annoyed? Confused? All the above?
It didn’t seem that big a deal when I was doing it. Just… natural. Her clothes were everywhere. But it all hits me now—cooking, feeding her cat, keeping her phone charged and her gas tank filled. Picking up after her.
Domesticated.
C’s damn bet.
She blinks, still processing, but her expression smooths out to its normal level of mild irritation. “Thanks, but you didn’t have to?—”
I cut her off with a kiss. Harder than I meant to. Trying to press down the part of me that’s letting too much softness in. But all it does is twist the need tighter.
Her lips part and her tongue touches mine, slick and warm, wine and Lot.
I go deeper. Hands in her hair. Bodies flush, hers yielding against me. I can feel the peaks of her nipples clear through my sweater.
It always feels right with Lot. Always transcendent.
