What’s going through his mind? I’ve never had a craving to read someone’s brain like I do with Archie.
“Anyway,” he says, his voice finding its usual teasing register, “since we’re going to be bed buddies, I should warn you that I have certain nocturnal requirements.”
“Requirements?”
“Mm-hmm.” He stretches languidly, turning his head and giving me an impish smile. “I have trouble sleeping without the aid of my good friend.”
He licks his lips, and they’re all I can see, his pink and shiny lips. Fuck. I already know how good he tastes.
“What friend?” I ask suspiciously.
“My bedtime buddy.” He sighs dreamily. “We have a very special relationship. He never lets me down. Never disappoints. Always there when I need him.”
“Are you talking about a stuffed animal?”
“I’m talking about my most trusted companion.” He turns over and reaches for the nightstand drawer. “Although I suppose formal introductions aren’t required, given you’ve already had the pleasure of transporting him across London.”
Alarm pulses through me. “Archie?—”
“Reunion time.” He triumphantly brings out his purple dildo.
I stop breathing.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Archie
This is better.
The look on Leo’s face is exactly what I want. Shock. Horror.
There’s also a smidge of desire, or maybe that’s just me projecting what I want to see.
It’s so much better than the previous flash of sympathy.
I can’t believe how much I’ve let slip to him tonight. Something about Leo makes my usual defenses malfunction. I’m supposed to be keeping him off balance, not spilling my emotional guts like a therapy session I didn’t sign up for.
“Are you actually planning on using that?” Leo asks, his voice hoarse, not taking his eyes off my purple friend.
“Obviously.” I hold the Destroyer with confidence. “I told you. I can’t sleep without assistance.”
“You’re going to use it with me right here?” Leo clarifies.
“You’re welcome to watch. Or participate. I’m flexible.” I pause. “In multiple senses of the word.”
Leo’s jaw tightens. “You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” I reach for the nightstand drawer again and pull out a bottle of lube with a flourish.
Leo’s nostrils flare.
“Well.” I make a show of getting comfortable, arranging myself against the pillows. “Don’t mind me. I’ll try to keep the noise down.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I?” I trail one finger down the side of the Destroyer. Slowly. Deliberately. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
Leo’s eyes track the movement of my finger like a predator watching prey. The muscle in his jaw tics.
