He raises a brow my way and I shrug. I’m not even a little ashamed.
“He needs to scale it back,” Xander continues. “Because I won’t stop Layla from demanding your wings if you kill Rorik again.”
It's an empty threat. He’d never let the vampire queen have my wings. Though he might allow her to instill other punishments. Like busy work. Guard duty when she’s out and about. Or worse, guard duty outside her penthouse doors. Which means hearing her, Vara, and Thorne fucking while I’m forced to stay at my post.
Rorik gasps on the floor then stands, rubbing his neck as the bones shift back into place.
“Locheran, if you keep doing that, I'm going to assume you’re flirting with me and demand you buy me dinner before we fuck.”
“Oh,” Farrah says, shifting on her feet.
My body stiffens when the scent of her arousal hits my nose. Rorik’s fangs drop as well.
Xander’s hand around my throat stops me from walking over and snapping his neck again.
Rorik takes a step back, hands up. Though he still smirks because he’s a fucking asshole.
“Takes one to know one, Lochy.”
“First of all, get out of my head. Second, call me that again and I’ll rip out your throat with my fangs.”
Farrah steps in front of me and scowls. I take her into my arms, attempting to quell her disappointment by begging forgiveness. She melts against me, squeezing me tight.
All forgiven?
No,she responds, though I hear the smile in her voice.Stop being an alphahole.
“Anyone hungry? Thirsty?” Evangeline says, walking to her fridge. She opens the door and peers inside. “We have beer, cider, wine, water, soda…”
I take a beer, Farrah asks for water, and Rorik says he’s good since he just had a meal of blood.
“Where should we do this?” Rory asks, glancing around the space.
Xander and Evangeline’s penthouse is open concept, so the kitchen morphs into the living room. One wall is floor to ceiling windows that provide an amazing view of the Empire State Building. The furniture is modern and expensive with comfort in mind. The living room has been renovated after it was destroyed by Xander’s brother who attempted to steal his reign over New York City. He blew out the windows and nearly every piece of art, the couch, chairs, and bookshelves were damaged by the impact.
Before, Xander’s penthouse was a cliche bachelor’s pad. Now it has colorful walls with bright art pieces and other nice touches that were clearly because of his mate.
Xander and Evangeline turn to Farrah. I have my arm around her waist, and she attempts to burrow deeper into my side at the question.
“Um…”
“How about the couch?” I offer. “I’ll sit right next to you.”
She nods, and I lead us into the living room.
Farrah sits at one end with me next to her. Rorik pulls over a chair. Evangeline sets our drinks on an end table and steps back to stand with Xander at the edge of the living room.
“How does it work?” Farrah asks.
“If I take your hands in mine, I can read your thoughts more clearly. Would that be okay?”
He directs the question at me more so than her, but she agrees and only when I give him a terse nod, he takes her hands.
“Just relax, little mouse,” he says with a smirk.
I will kill you, I think at him.
“You might sense me in your head, but it won’t hurt. Some people describe it as an itch that can’t be scratched.”
