I did what he wanted, even if I exploited a loophole to do it. Sure, he might be mad, but then he’ll just clarify better in the future. Better that anyway than these half-assed training exercises where I don’t even get all of the information until partway through the night.
I rap my knuckles on the door, trying to keep the noise down so that I don’t wake the other guys that are likely asleep. Julian responds a moment later and I shove open the heavy door.
He’s seated behind his desk, the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up to his elbows. The glare of his laptop illuminates his face in the otherwise dim room and his hair stands on end in places like he’s been running a hand through it. Even when the door shuts behind me, he doesn’t immediately look up, fingers flying across the keys. I’m stuck awkwardly shifting my feet near the door, unsure if I should take a seat in front of him or not.
Without looking away from his screen, he gestures for me to take my customary spot, engrossed in his work. I end up toying with the lace overlay of my dress, waiting as patiently as I’m able to, knowing there’s no rushing this man without consequence. But I’m unable to stifle my yawn, unused to being up this late and the alcohol not making it any easier to keep from falling asleep sitting up.
“So-“ I jolt as the laptop snaps shut “-I must admit, Elyse, that you surprised me tonight.” He runs another hand over his face, looking as tired as I feel. “You were supposed to be unmemorable, and yet you chose to strip down and drop my name, making sure that maid will be gossiping to the entire staff. Not exactly the invisible ear to the ground you’re supposed to be training to be.”
Resting his elbows on the desk, he leans forward, appearing genuinely curious. “And for what? I checked the cameras and didn’t see anyone else follow you. Hell, if you were after a quick fuck, either Grave or Everett could have easily grabbed the key to a room.”
Swallowing down my nerves, I reach down my dress, slipping the small bottle from between my breasts and setting it on the desk in front of him. He assesses it for a moment before lifting it to inspect, confused.
“These are free for guests’ use. It doesn’t count as stealing if it’s freely given,” he objects with a frown.
Licking my dry lips, I clarify, “But I wasn’t a guest, and it wasn’t my room. Nobody will question something this inconsequential missing, likely just assuming someone forgot to restock it, and won’t dwell on its absence.”
He chuckles, a broad smile on his face as it clicks. “And they’ll be so distracted with the gossip flying around between the attention both men were giving you, and then you supposedly ending up naked in a room with me, that nobody will look at you as suspect for it missing.” Genuine laughter shakes his chest now that I take as a good sign.
Scrubbing a hand over his mouth, he rests his chin on his thumb, fingers curled into a fist in front of his lips as he starts to look at me in a new light. “I tried to give you ample wiggle room to pull it off, though I’ll admit, I was expecting a phone call from security when you were caught pickpocketing someone. Imagine my surprise when instead, I had an embarrassed desk clerk asking if I had company waiting for me in one of the extended stay suites.”
Knowing I should say something, I clear my throat. “If you want me to steal something in the future, you might need to be a little more specific so I don’t disappoint you again.”
My stomach tightens with nerves at the dark gleam in his eye. “What a pleasant surprise you’re turning out to be after all, Elysium.” After a lengthy pause, he drops his hand to smack the desk before pushing himself to his feet. “Better get some rest; training continues at seven sharp.” Taking the dismissal gratefully, I hurry to the door with a nod of appreciation.
“Oh, before you go-“ I turn in time to catch the small bottle he tosses to me “-you might want these.” I glance down at the generic pain relievers and give him a questioning look that he meets with a smirk. “Your reward for tonight.”
Without any more explanation, I thank him and head back towards my room, beyond ready to crash for a few hours before having to face whatever new game he’s decided to play. The halls are quiet, and I almost stop by Everett’s room to fill him in on everything. But honestly, I very well might pass out in the middle of it and ultimately, I want to get into something more comfortable first.
Cracking open the door to my room, a small smile lights up my exhausted face. Everett’s stretched out on my bed, playing on his phone, and his eyes snap up to meet mine as soon as the door squeaks. Device forgotten, he sits up, eyeing me head to toe like he was expecting me to come back sobbing or bleeding.
“Everything good?” he confirms, starting to rise to his feet, but I gesture for him to stay seated.
Moving toward my dresser, I grab a pair of pajama pants and a baggy t-shirt. “Weirdly good, I think? He laughed, and not in my face.”
Ev looks dumbstruck. “What the fuck did you steal?”
Tossing the clothes on the empty side of the bed, I start fighting with my ribboned noose and fill him in on the story. I end up pulling the wrong string and make a knot rather than unfurling it and huff, but my aggravation is quickly forgotten as the bathroom door creaks open beside me and I take a reflexive step backward.
“And here I didn’t get you anything.” Grave clucks his tongue, towel slung low around his hips. “Yet I get to unwrap such a lovely present.”
Rolling my eyes, I tilt my chin upward to give him better access. “I’m going to have to start locking my door even if I’m not in here and pray I don’t lose the key.”
Deftly, he makes quick work of the knot at my throat and circles around to my back, freeing me without my having to ask. “Wouldn’t matter. They’re just pretty decorations.”
Meeting Everett’s eye, he shrugs a single shoulder. “He’s not wrong. Everyone here can pick a lock.”
With a glare, I toss out there, “Nobody felt the need to point that out when I was asking for a room that locked my first day? You just let me sleep without knowing I should keep one eye open? Jerks.”
“You needed to feel safe, and nobody here was going to hurt you anyway,” Everett defends. “If someone had broken in and you tried to hide in your room, it still would’ve slowed them down until one of us dealt with it. Not sure why you’re mad.”
No wonder Julian gave me the ibuprofen. I’m too tired to deal with these men right now.
Rather than let my dress fall to the floor, Grave keeps a grip on the side while I rant, though he’s finished unlacing me at this point. Turning to look at him over my shoulder, I lean in to kiss his cheek quickly.
“Thank you.”
His face scrunches up in confusion. “For trying to get you out of your clothes?” He looks up at Everett. “I’m not crazy, this is backwards, right?”
