“Or the Scarlet Witch,” Ivan said, studying me. “More attitude, less ageless wisdom.”
“Ouch. Brat. Mom and Dad let you watch those movies?”
His easy smile vanished. “No.”
Shit.I was always apologizing. I was bad at this.
“It’s fine.” His phone pinged. “He’s here.” He stared at me a long minute, then surprised the hell out of me by launching himself into my arms and wrapping me in a tight hug.
I blinked and carefully hugged him back, uncertain how much touch he wanted, but then he let go and rushed out of the apartment, leaving me standing somewhat bewildered by the thought that maybe I wasn’t such a terrible big brother. Peanut Butter wound between my ankles, purring loudly as if to fill the silence.
I turned as Angel emerged from my bedroom, and my brain short-circuited.
He stretched, all tattooed shoulders and sleep warm skin, wearing nothing but low-slung boxer briefs that made my mouth water. He raked his fingers through his tousled hair, his jaw shadowed with only the faintest hint of stubble. He could have walked right off the cover of a romance novel.
I blinked stupidly at him, unable to form words.
Angel’s bare feet padded against the linoleum as he moved through my kitchen like he owned it. The morning light caught every ridge of muscle as he grabbed the coffee mugs.
“See something you like, pretty boy?” he purred without turning around.
I choked on air. He thought I was pretty? “Holy Christmas,” my voice cracked.
Angel set the cups down, picked up the full pot, and filled each. He strolled to the fridge, retrieved the creamer, leaning into the box for a few seconds as if his fine back and delicious ass weren’t already mouthwatering.
I shuffled forward, hyperaware of him in my space, making me coffee. Who needed coffee when I could havethatfor breakfast? He poured a heavy amount of creamer into both cups, adding sugar to one as I watched, hypnotized.
His breath tickled my neck as he leaned into me and murmured, “Sweet enough for you?”
I blinked at him incoherently, focused on his lips rather than the cup.
“Jude?” He slid his fingers along my jaw, the caress gentle and warm. “Need anything else?”
Just my dignity. And maybe some self-control.
“I mean in your coffee.”
I swallowed. “Can you tell what I’m thinking?” Did the bond work that way?
Angel leaned in to peck the corner of my mouth. “You don’t hide your expressions as well as you think you do.”
And here I thought I’d spent the last ten years mastering a blank face.
He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over that incredibly perfect, tattooed chest, gaze focused on me. “We could spend the day in bed.”
Holy fuck.My dick went from semi-hard to gotta have it in a heartbeat. “Uh…” What was I supposed to be doing?
He leaned in to press his forehead to mine and breathe me in. The touch oddly cooled the intensity while I remained painfully hard.
“Is… ah… that what you want?” I stuttered out, trying not to sound like a complete idiot.
“Jude,” he said breathily, my name sounding like a caress.
“Yeah?” I was so stupid for him.
“What do you want?”
“You?”
