“Well, yes, the case is more complicated than I assumed. We still don’t have an ID on the victim, but we just picked up someone we think he was traveling with who might give us more to go on. I was hoping I could see this through, maybe even in an official capacity?” My shoulders are up high around my ears, and I’m wincing. I hope she can’t hear it in my voice.
“This is your hometown, right?” Lewis asks, not seeming overly interested. “What makes you think they need MBI backup on this?”
“We haven’t confirmed it yet, but I suspect the man we picked up last night might be LoJacked.”
SSA Lewis makes a noncommittal hum. “I’m not ready to sign off on official involvement yet, but we don’t have any pressing matters as of now that need your attention. Why don’t you see what assistance you can offer over the next few days unofficially? You can reach out if you need any resources,” she offers, and her permission to stay is all I really need, but the suggestion of using MBI resources is a bonus.
“That’s great, thank you,” I say, then quickly add, “Hypothetically, if I wanted to commute to the city, would that be possible in the future?” I feel anxious even posing the question.
“Officially, you need to be within forty-five minutes of the field office. Off the record, you’re a valuable member of the team.”
I wait a long second, thinking she will continue, but I understand what she’s saying. “Uh, okay, thank you?” I try to make it a statement, but it comes out more like a question.
“Exceptions can and are made, especially considering your current role at the agency. You might apply for use of a slipkey.” My mouth falls open at her suggestion. Slipkeys are reserved for senior agents who need to be able to travel quickly to different places. They can be programmed to take you anywhere on the continent you’re on, since moving over large bodies of water is tricky with magic.
It takes me a second to unscramble my brain and remember she’s on the line. “Thank you again,” I profess.
“Don’t thank me yet, Bishop. Keep me updated on the situation back home. If he is LoJacked, we would want to know,” Lewis tells me, and I know it’s time to end the call.
“I will, have a good night.” I pull the phone away and hang up.
I swallow and look at the door. Excitement is brimming under my skin. I want to tell someone, but it’s not a good idea, especially before I even know if I will be granted special permission for use of a slipkey. I shouldn’t even be getting my own hopes up. Wait, am I getting my hopes up? Is coming back here really what I want?
That’s a dumb question. It’s what I always wanted—well, I wanted to be with the guys, and that could have been in the city or here, but I don’t know if I can truly trust that the reason we still feel this way isn’t because of the spell.
“Gah!” I fall back on the bed with a groan, nestling my head into the ridiculously soft pillows. I should not be thinking about this right now. My priority should be the case, and that’s what I need to make it from right now until it’s solved. I can figure out what happens after, later. Now, if I can just convince my cooch of the plan, I’ll be all set.
I turn my head and spy the bag I thought I wouldn’t be seeing again sitting on a chair. A shower may be just what I need to clear my head, not to mention I could put that removable showerhead I noticed earlier to good use. Percival left the room a little after I returned to scope out the house, so this might be the only opportunity I have alone for a while.
I roll off the bed, avoiding my laptop near the end, then tiptoe over to the door to flip the lock. I have no idea why I feel the need to be stealthy to lock the door. It’s not like they will know what I’m going to do just because the door is locked.
I sort through the few meager things left behind and see the shirt I slept in last night crumpled next to the last pair of clean panties I have. I really should have packed better. I’m going to need to make a run to Target if I’m going to be here any longer. Thankfully, I have a pair of black jeans I can wear tomorrow. I lift my arm and smell my pit. “Ugh.” Yeah, a shower is a must. Maybe Felix has a shirt I can borrow. It will be oversized, but that’s better than smelling like a farm animal.
After grabbing my things, I step onto the cool tile floor of the bathroom and flip on the light. The freestanding copper tub looks like pure heaven. It only takes me a moment to convince myself to take a quick shower and then run a bath. I can wash my hair and scrub up in the shower while the tub is filling, then have a nice long soak. I don’t even feel a little bad about using the excess water. I don’t have a tub in my apartment, so I’m not passing up this chance. Thinking the occurrence might not be a one-off sends another wave of excitement through me.
The first splash of water in the tub is loud. I look over at the door, as if it will tell me if someone heard it. “Knock it off, Frankie. Everybody showers. Quit being so weird.” I check the water temp, then strip out of my slacks, top, and underclothes. I ball everything up and place it on the back of the toilet so it doesn’t get wet, then slip into the shower stall.
I keep an eye on the water level in the tub as I shower, and I end up scrubbing the conditioner out of my hair as soon as I rinse the soap from my body because the tub fills so fast. Must be one of the perks of a nice new house, now let’s just hope I didn’t use all the hot water in the shower.
I shiver as I twirl my wet hair into a bun and make my way dripping wet over to the tub. Holding the edge, I sink one foot in. “Hexes, that’s hot.”
It takes my body a moment to adjust to the heat. Right before shutting the water off completely, I let cool water run for a few seconds. My upper lip sweats almost immediately, but it’s the most relaxed I’ve been since arriving back in town.
I let my arms float up to the surface, and the cooler air swirls over my skin, creating goosebumps, and even my nipples pebble. I slide my back up and let my chest rise until the tips of my breasts are peeking from the water.
My hands shake as I run my palms over my nipples and cup my tits. My core tightens in response. I never really needed to masturbate after we started having sex. Having three guys who were always ready and willing made it pretty obsolete, but sadly, I’ve become a pro over the years, so my hands and fingers know exactly what to do to get myself off. The new images I have of the guys help, and the fact that I’m in their house makes it feel even more exciting.
Keeping the fingers of my left hand on my nipple, I skim my right down my body and slide my finger between my legs. I’d love to have something other than my fingers to fill me, but I didn’t pack any of my toys—thank hexes. Felix would have found those when he went through my bags. That actually makes me smile. I wonder if he would have noticed the one resembling his dick, it’s one of my favorite dildos.
“Frankie.” I jump and cover myself when I hear Grayson’s muffled voice from the outer door. My heart is fucking pounding, so when I respond, my voice is breathless.
“Yeah?”
“Uh,” is all he says before I hear the sound of something thumping against the door.
“Did you need something? I’m in the bath,” I say loudly to be heard through the space.
“Do you have everything you need?” he asks. Now that’s a loaded question. I almost did before he interrupted me.
