“Yes, it is.” Sai’s lips pull into a full grin, all teeth, two dimples. “Just need to give the big guy a little break.”
He nods his head to something behind me. I frown, but peer over my shoulder to find Julien led on his back, chest pulsing with heavy pants, an arm slung over his eyes. Wrecked.
“Is he… okay?” I whisper.
“I am fine, mon âme.” But he still isn’t moving, or looking at me.
“You need a second, man? A century? Take your time, I’ll keep Red busy.”
“A century, you say?” Julien drawls, eyes darting to Sai under his arm. “And how long did you need after the first time you touched our bond? After you barely lasted a minute, my dearest friend.”
Sai’s mouth hangs open, and I fight to stifle my laughter.
“You fucker,” Sai mutters.
“Didn’t you succumb to sleep immediately after?”
“We both fell asleep,” Sai bites out.
I turn to face Sai. “Hmm, I think I remember being awake a little longer.”
His piercing eyes widen. “Don’t do this to me, Red.”
I smile, patting his cheek, before trying to shuffle out of his grip. When he doesn’t release me, I level him with a small, sharp glare.
And like the good boy I was training him to be, he lets go, but not without a dramatic sigh.
I scoot down the bed, sliding off. But the second I do, I become very aware of how naked I am, and the two pairs of eyes on me.
“Although this is a magnificent view,” Julien says, pushing himself up into a seated position.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Sai finishes sharply, gaze dragging over me, soaking in every piece.
I snatch up the discarded hoodie and slip it on. But in the moment it takes to pull it over my head, everything shifts.
They’ve both recovered, and they’re still. Too still.
My breath hitches at their blank expressions because I can feel how not-calm they are.
I start to move backwards, slowly, watching both men as their eyes track me with unwavering precision.
“Don’t you dare, Red,” Sai growls, and the sound, especially from Sai, makes my heart pound.
The blues of his eyes are struggling, fading like the sky before dusk, but all I want to do is push him more.
“Didn’t you once say you love a chase?” I say sweetly. The blue evaporates.
“Little empath,” Julien murmurs, velvet tone soaked in threat. “This will only end one way. If you run, we will chase, and we will catch you.”
Suddenly, that’s all I want. All I’m desperate to do. My skin tingles, anticipation curling through my limbs. I keep retreating.
The room darkens.
Sai’s on his knees, at the edge of the bed. Julien rises, standing. Both locked on me, ready to pounce.
“Red.” Sai’s voice is deeper. “We’re not fucking around here. We mean it. You need to stop.”
“This is your last chance.” Julien’s voice rumbles. “Do. Not. Run.”
