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“Uh-huh.” I climbed into the car, and he quickly followed, both of us slamming the doors shut and reaching for our seat belts. “Gonna tie you up and fuck you until you can’t walk,” I said conversationally as I started the engine, then added, “You spoiled fucking brat.”

I heard his breath hitch, but he was grinning when I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye.

I was too.

—

Crossbody had only been to my place once, when I’d packed my clothes before we left for Otherworld, so it was still pretty weird to see him in my house. Standing in my hallway, all tall and poised and regal. Peering with interest at my messy living room, taking in the artwork I’d chosen for the walls and the clutter I’d left on the coffee table. His elegant, long-fingered hand holding my old Gateur Garbage Disposal and Waste Management mug when I made him a cup of coffee.

“I know we were only gone a day and a half, but fuck, it feels good to be back in the modern world,” I said, gulping down my own coffee and hastily replying to all my text messages—letting Uncle Rob know we’d be by soon to pick up Lady Potato, and confirming to Dan that yes, Crossbody and I were… a thing.

Something. I wasn’t all that sure what anymore.

He’d said he loved me.

But he hadn’t brought it up since, so… maybe it had just been a heat of the moment thing? Maybe he hadn’t meant it? Maybe he was even regretting it. I hated feeling so unsure of myself, but I had no idea where we stood right now. What this was. And I didn’t want to pressure him into anything. Crossbody could still be stubborn and arrogant and difficult for the sake of it, but I also knew now how soft-hearted he was. Hesitant and almost timid in some situations.

And naturally submissive.

Drumming his long fingers on the side of his cup, he said, “Part of me didn’t think I’d be able to come back, so… it’s a little surreal.”

I snorted. “There was no fucking way I was leaving without you.”

The words came out before I really considered them, and the air grew slightly charged as our eyes met in the ensuing moment of silence. Then we both quickly looked away, Crossbody taking a sip of his coffee as I shoved back my hair and took a step toward the front hall.

“I, uh… I’ll go unpack and change out of this fucking ice cream suit.”

He nodded, mauve eyes tracking down my frame. We’d both shifted into our true forms once safely inside my house, but he was keeping his wings tightly tucked together so they didn’t knock into anything.

“You can, um, come with me if you want,” I said awkwardly as I began to unbutton my shirt. “You don’t have to just stand in here on your own.”

He hesitated, glancing down at his coffee before setting the cup on the counter. “Alright. If you don’t mind.”

“It’s fine.” I offered him a wry smile. “You were in my bedroom, like, two days ago.”

He blushed, fiddling with his tunic cuffs as he followed me out of the kitchen. “No, I know, but…”

He trailed off, clearing his throat, then grabbed the suitcase before I could when we got back into the hall. I realised I was a little tense as we made our way upstairs. Things suddenly felt… strained, in a way. Off. Weird.

I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said back in Otherworld.

“I can’t wait to get out of this fucking tunic,” he grumbled as he followed me upstairs. I laughed, glancing back at him over my shoulder.

“You look good in it, but I get it.”

He smiled up at me. “You look good in the suit. Even with ice cream all over it.”

“Yeah, well, I’m about to put on sweats, so hopefully I look just as good in those.”

“You do.”

I glanced back again to see him blushing. Growing a little flustered myself, I led the way into my bedroom and said, “Uh, we could go and get something to eat after taking Lady Potato back to your place, if you want. Have you ever been to Lupe’s in town?”

“No. What is it?” Crossbody set down the suitcase and unzipped it.

“Really good werewolf diner.”

“Diner?” His head popped up, eyes sparking with interest. “Like the one near the motel? I liked the food there very much.”