“You were with Hale. I know he told you,” he playfully scolds.
“You two are such girls. I swear you tell each other everything,” I grouse.
“I didn’t tell him,” Hale snickers. “He just knew.”
His hand trails up my back, and I almost forget I’m not supposed to be showing him public affection when I turn and put my hand on his chest.
“So he doesn’t know about the incredibly long shower you drew out?” I joke.
“The shower I drew out?” he scoffs in a whisper. “I don’t think so,” he sardonically rolls out with an insuppressible grin.
Our fun ceases when I see the sweet pale eyes of Brazen approaching, and Hale stiffens slightly as my hand slides off of him.
“I came to your room, but you weren’t there,” he says suspiciously, his eyes deliberately inspecting Hale.
Fuck. I used the same damn soap as he did. Brazen’s smell is unparalleled by anyone.
“I… uh… I”
“She and the other hybrids came to my place to eat. This colony only offers blood, as I’m sure you’ve already observed,” Hale interjects, and my eyes thank him.
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Brazen says with his unconvinced gaze.
“My shower was broken, so I had to use Hale’s. That’s why I was late. He was nice enough to head on and give me his room. That’s why my hair is still wet,” I lie, and I see Hale stifle a grin.
He walks behind Brazen before turning to give me a wink.
I’m such a conniving bitch right now.
“Oh,” he murmurs in acceptance, and then he takes my hand in his.
“I was worried you were mad at me about last night,” he says too loudly.
Hale’s eyes return to me, and I can see the question he’s wishing he could ask.
“No. I’m not mad. Just drop it,” I mumble, and I start to walk away to escape any more slips.
“You looked so incredible, and it felt good to have you in my arms. I wish you had stayed with me,” he coos, and Hale’s eyes narrow all the more.
“You were drunk, Brazen, and you were sleeping in the hallway. I wasn’t going to let you stay there all night,” I say to explain to Hale what happened.
He relaxes slightly, and then Brazen’s hand trails up my arm.
“Your lacy underwear has always driven me crazy. When you were on top of me, I thought I was going to combust,” he smolders out, and my knees tremble slightly.
Fuck.
Hale walks over with Clay, and his eyes are scolding me for my omission of events. Clay turns his attention to Brazen before speaking.
“We’ll head out in fifteen minutes. If you don’t mind, I need you to find the full bloods with the strongest ties to this place, and I’ll ready my best interrogators,” he murmurs softly.
“I’ll get on it, Sir,” Brazen respectfully replies, and then he swishes away to fill the request.
Clay refuses eye contact as he leaves me suspended under the scrutinizing eyes of Hale. Traitor.
“I guess you forgot to mention where you had been before you came to my room,” he grumbles, and then he stalks past me.
I have to run to catch up, and I tug on his arm to turn him around.
