“And fucking?”
She shrugged. “Eh, maybe. Slim pickings for what revs my motor. Besides, I can’t stop thinking about the one that got away.”
She’d never told me his name, and I wasn’t sure he’d so much got away as Baxter had thralled him into memory loss, but she wore her longing for someone to love her like she wore her leathers; plastered to every inch of her gorgeous body.
“C’mere,” I urged her roughly. She moved into my arms. “Sorry we fought. I do love you.”
“Love you right back. And I’m not sorry we fought. Or not the fisticuffs part. You’re a lousy fighter, babes. It’s a good job it wasn’t you Cormack was stalking or he’d have picked you off the first night. We need to up your game.”
I squeezed her until she squeaked. “Lover, not a fighter. As you so often remind me. I do okay. Now, get your sexy arse off to drain some unsuspecting bloke of a pint and have fun.”
I delayed what needed to be done until her motorbike disappeared out of sight. Sighed. Smoked a cigarette, then two more, then decided I had to tackle this before it festered. I’d been mean and snappy to Trace at the precise moment he’d needed some support. I could only hope he’d forgive me.
41
JAMES
There wasno way I could sleep while everyone was so keyed up. Baxter’s thrall worked a lot better on me than Edwin’s, but I was still strong enough to override the compulsion to go to bed. It vaguely occurred to me it might have something to do with my Fae genes. I supposed there was no way of knowing for sure, but I was interested in why I’d been finding it steadily easier to resist the lure of thrall.
I nibbled at a slice of toast, and only then because Trace looked on the verge of tears and I didn’t want it to be anything I did that tipped him over the edge.
I hated seeing Edwin and Baxter fight. I wasn’t physically scared of them so much as horrified that they would turn on each other that way. I’d heard stories of vampires’ short tempers and violence, but apart from my treatment at the hands of Cormack, who’d been an entire hamper short of a picnic to begin with, I’d not witnessed anything stronger than disdain or a bit of roughhousing amongst their kind. I also knew how strong the bond was between Edwin and Baxter, which further upset me. Baxter hadn’t seemed fazed though, and her takedown of my boyfriend had been spectacular to watch. She outclassed himtotally. If Edwin hadn’t been around, perhaps I’d have been nursing an unrequited crush on Ms Wragg.
I was toying with grinding the rest of the toast into crumbs and hiding it in a plant pot when Edwin tapped on, then stuck his head around, the door. His injuries were already barely visible, but his eyes were clouded and wary.
“Am I allowed in?”
I saw an instant change in Trace from warm and worried about me to a cold, distrustful stranger. He turned around slowly. “That depends on what you wish to say. James is exhausted after working all day with no sleep and?—”
“For God’s sake, just let him come in,” I groused. “And don’t fight my battles for me, Trace. I love you both. I won’t pick sides.”
Trace inclined his head graciously. To be honest, I doubted there was a damn thing he could do without being gracious. Now I thought about it, he’d always moved with a poise I envied, although I wouldn’t have been able to put a name to the feeling.
Edwin barrelled across the room to Trace and grabbed his hands. “I’m so sorry. I really shouldn’t have said that. I was upset, but it didn’t give me the right to take my mood out on you. Can you forgive me?”
I watched as Trace weighed him up. Then he said softly, “You really hurt me, Eddie.”
Edwin sagged. “I know,” he whispered. “Baxter’s already handed me my arse on a plate.”
“I’m not interested in what Baxter thinks. I want to know whatyouthink.” He hadn’t pulled his hands from Edwin’s grasp though.
Edwin stared at the floor for a full minute. When he raised his head, sincerity bled from every pore as he blurted, “I was a thoughtless arse. I hurt one of the two people I care most about in the world and I wish I could take it back.”
Trace gathered him close. “Apology accepted. But know this. While I don’t mind and even encourage being called out if I fuck up, you pull a stunt like that again and forgiveness might not be swift. I was a terrible person, but I hope I’ve learned my lesson. The very least I expect from a partner is some loyalty.”
“I know. You’re worth way more than that.” Edwin snaked his arms around Trace’s waist and laid his head on his shoulder. “I really do love you.”
“And I, you.” The air shimmered for a second, metallic pink. I gasped as the lamp in the corner blinked off to be replaced by dozens of tiny sparkling lights on the ceiling.
“What did you do?”
Trace smirked. “Improved the atmosphere. They won’t last more than an hour or so, but it isso, sogood to be able to use my magic again. I’m just showing off.”
“You know I’m a sure thing, right?” Edwin, bouncing back, treated us both to a truly salacious grin. Even tired as I was, my cock stirred, and I wondered if I had the energy for a three-way romp on Trace’s bed.
Trace, however, indicated Edwin should park his bum on a chair. He scooped my messy plate from the table and gave me a sad smile. “You’re shattered, aren’t you? I shouldn’t be asking you to switch your days and nights around to help me out.”
“Oh, shove it. We’re a team. Not like we have a handy space suit for Eddie to pitch in. If I say I’m good to work, I’m good to work. I’ll go to bed in a bit.”When I’m more certain my two lovers aren’t going to start WW3 with another slanging match.
