He hiccups and reaches around me for the rum, but I block his hands and tug the shirt down again as it threatens to expose his ass.
He pouts, blinking a few times as he stumbles, then gestures at Talia. “I thought it would befunif she let me out.”
“Fun?!”I demand, half crazed.
He boops my nose, then loses his balance again, and I grab him by the arms to steady him.
His drunken, lopsided grin spreads. “You were always so cute when you’re angry, do you know that? And you fuck so good when you're pissed…”
“Focus, Xenesis,” I snap. “Did you force her to unlock the door?”
He pinches his fingers together in front of my face, squinting at the tiny space between his thumb and forefinger.
“Maybe a little?” he admits, the grin never fading even as another hiccup escapes.
“Mind worms,” Sakane whispers behind me.
“And is this my shirt?!” I demand, tugging the hem down once more.
He laughs louder, lifting his arms in a wobbly attempt at a pirouette that nearly sends him toppling while I scramble to keep him covered.
“It is!” he says as he grabs my shoulders to steady himself. “Talia had a great idea to steal your shirt and make it smell like me. It was a good idea, right Talia?”
“An amazing idea!” she agrees, snatching the rum to take a drink.
Xeni leans in conspiratorially, one hand half-covering his mouth as he stumbles closer, breath warm with rum against my ear.
“It was actually my idea!” he stage-whispers loudly enough for the whole room to hear, his grin wide and utterly shameless.
“Everyoneout,” I demand, too flustered to put any power behind the words, but the others obey regardless. Chairs scoot as they stand and head for the door.
I manage to call out one last request. “Sakane, make sure Talia drinks plenty of water and get her to bed.”
“You got it, boss,” he says as everyone files out into the hallway.
Cato pauses at the door and glances over. “Are you good in here?”
Xeni wraps his arms around my waist, and his lip curls in a snarl
He glares at Cato, jabbing an unsteady finger in his direction. “Stop talking to him. He doesn’t love you,gingersnap,and you're getting in my way. Maybe I should just force you to take a little trip out the window. What floor are we on? The fifth?” He nods thoughtfully, then snorts a delirious laugh. “High enough to make an impact. Get it!?”
“For the love of the gods,” I snap, “no one is jumping out windows. That’s enough.”
Xeni’s face falls like I’ve hurt his feelings, and his pouting lips curve into a deep frown.
“It’s just a little jump,” he argues, “and technically not murder if he does it himself.”
Cato huffs an indignant laugh despite himself.
Xeni’s gaze snaps back to him. “I could do it, you know. But Bash is being Mr. Responsible and said no. Maybe instead I’ll tell you to grab that pen and jab it into your eye. We could match! Wouldn’t that be fun?”
His voice turns dangerous and silky smooth as he leans towards Cato.
“Pick it up,” Xeni purrs.
The drunken grin on his face twists into a malicious thing, hardened with a dark edge I’ve never seen. He’s completely enthralled by what he’s doing.
Cato’s eyes widen as his hand jerks toward the pen on the table, fingers closing around it against his will. His knuckles whiten as he fights the compulsion with a strangled growl.
