I don’t think I’d be able to.
Neo blinks up at me with owlish eyes. “That was fast.”
I stop beside his chair, my hand finding its way to his nape automatically. “The others have got it from here.”
Neo’s grin moves slowly across his face. “You’re letting them handle it?”
“They’re more than capable,” I say stiffly. “As they keep reminding me.”
My arms are suddenly full of Neo. He pushes his face close to my ear, whispering quietly, “Fucking proud of you, darling.”
I pull back so I can see his face. “You didn’t call me dude.”
“Didn’t feel right. Can’t call you tiny-dick man either, not now that I know it’s not true.”
Harley wrinkles his nose. “Fuck no. Could’ve lived without knowing that about my brother, but thanks.”
I’m too focused on what Neo said to respond. The words he used. I open my mouth to ask him, but suddenly I’m aware of the many listening ears. Bending, I lift Neo over my shoulder and stride from the room. I don’t stop until I’m in my bedroom, the door firmly locked behind us.
Neo’s a little breathless as I steady him on his feet. “What was all that about?”
“Needed to get you alone.”
“Really…” His fingers drag down my chest, finding the straps for the vest and beginning to undo them. “For something fun, I hope?”
“What did you mean?” I blurt out, unable to hold back the question any longer.
Neo is still unstrapping the vest. “Hmm?”
“What you said before,” I say, impatiently shoving the vest over my head and letting it fall to the floor. An earlier version of me would care about the mess, but this version? He only cares about hearing Neo’s answer. “About calling me dude not feeling right.”
He gives me a quizzical look. “Are you okay? Did one of those fuckers get up and knock you in the head or something?”
Neo turns toward the door, as if he’s about to march down to the basement and demand answers. I catch his wrist before he can take a step.
“No.” I sigh in frustration. It’s times like these when I wish it were easier to express myself. “You said calling me dude doesn’t feel right. But darling does?”
Understanding dawns in his eyes, followed quickly by a flush over his cheekbones. “I didn’t mean… It’s just…”
His gaze darts over his shoulder like he’s planning an escape. I grab both his shoulders firmly. “Hey, did it feel right when you called me darling?”
“Yes, okay? Jesus. Torture it out of me. Fine, it did.” He folds his arms over his chest mutinously. “I’m not saying I’m in love with you or anything, so there’s no need to freak out.”
“Neo…” I catch his chin with my hand, my mouth lowering to hover over his. “Do I look like I’m freaking out?”
“No, but you rarely do. You’re like a fucking fortress sometimes. Stone walling everyone while no one knows what’s happening inside.”
“That’s not true. You do.”
He opens his mouth to argue, but I swoop in to kiss him. I take his mouth aggressively, my tongue erasing the words he was about to say. My lips are assuring him he’s not the only one in this. With each movement, I tell him the words I want to say out loud.
It’s surprisingly easy.
Neo pulls away and gives me a wry smile. “I’m guessing you prefer ‘darling’ to ‘dude,’ then?”
I growl, backing him up against the wall. “You’re fucking right I do.”
My mouth finds his again as I pin him to the hard surface. It’s not enough. He’s not close enough.
