Page 106 of Thicker than Water


Font Size:

“You humans and your mini marshmallows,” Cass says, but he obligingly adds a few to JJ’s mug. “So you know we’re going to have to explain this to Desi, right?”

“That we’re together now?” That same carefree smile tugs across JJ’s lips, like he’s just as pleased about their new relationship status as Cass is.

Nostringvadha alive, Cass issoin love with this man. “Yep.”

“I think she’ll probably be happy that we’re happy,” JJ says, “but beyond that…” He shrugs. “Not much is going to change. We already live in the same house and spend most of our time together. The only thing that’s really going to be different is the kissing.”

“And the sex.”

JJ wrinkles his nose. “Yes, but I’m specifically referring to things that Desi might witness, which I’mhopingwill be strictly in the realm of kissing. Does your bedroom door have a lock?”

“No, but I’ll be sure to remedy that situation as soon as possible. Probably set up a permanent soundproofing spell, too,” Cass says, and he herds JJ back against the refrigerator, pressing their lips together. “For now, though, I’m noticing a distinct lack of Desi anywhere in the house. So, hypothetically, the bedroom and the lock and the soundproofing aren’timperativeat the moment.”

JJ shivers, snaking his arms around Cass’s waist to pull him closer. “I thought the plan was lunch and then shower sex, in that order?”

“We can always modify the plan,” Cass says, kissing his way down JJ’s pulse and feeling a thrill when JJ arches against him. “So do you want to know the best part about having a demon boyfriend?”

“I‍—‍” JJ moans when Cass nips lightly at his skin and soothes the same spot with his tongue. “I’m noticing a lot of perks already, but what’s thebestpart?”

“I don’t need to breathe,” Cass says, and he drops to his knees, getting to work on JJ’s belt. “And Ireallywant to know what you sound like while I’m blowing you.”

JJ buries his face in his hands. “And youcontinueto be a menace.”

Grinning, Cass tugs on JJ’s belt loops. “C’mon, JJ. Don’t do that. I want to see your beautiful face.”

If anything, the words make JJ’s hands tighten even more. “Are you just going to say sappy things to embarrass me all the time now?”

A little bit of Cass’s playfulness wavers. “Hey,hey,”he says, squeezing JJ’s hip. “Look at me?”

JJ takes a deep breath before lowering his arms. His lips are pinched together and his shoulders are hunched unsurely. “Yeah?”

Cass doesn’t drop his gaze. “I mean every word.”

JJ’s eyes widen. For a long moment, he stares down at Cass, searching his face.

And then he looks away, laughing shakily. “You’re gonna be the death of me, Cassius.”

A spark of pleasure dances down Cass’s spine at the sound of his full first name in JJ’s voice. “Your soul maybrieflyleave your body,” Cass drawls, and he starts dragging down JJ’s jeans, pressing a kiss to the soft strip of skin just above his waistband. “But‍?—‍”

And he promptly jerks away when a sharp ringtone blares out, cutting him off andcompletelykilling the mood in the process. “Oh, comeon,”he complains, pushing himself to his feet. “Don’t they know we’re busy?”

JJ is already scrambling to pull his pants back up, swearing. “Sorry, sorry, that’s‍—that’s Roma’s ringtone,” he says, and he digs his cell phone out of his pocket, swipes into the screen, and presses it to his ear. “What’s up, Gutierrez?”

Even without the speakerphone, Cass can hear Roma’s rapid-fire reply. “Jayj, where are you right now?”

JJ’s voice sharpens. “At home. Why? Is something wrong?”

“Not quitewrong,but‍—but something happened, and we need to‍—‍‍” She cuts herself off. “Could you rift me to you? I don’t want to say too much over the phone.”

JJ’s eyes snap up. “Cass?”

Cass bites back a grimace. Even though JJ trusts Roma with his life, Cass still wanted to know her a little better before inviting her into his safe house.

But, at the end of the day, shedidhelp him rescue JJ from the Sanctum. That counts for something. Counts for a lot of somethings, actually. Cass leans forward, raising his voice so Roma can hear him. “Where are you now?”

“Dead-end alley just off the Courtyard. The one next to Falafel Express.”

Cass quickly flits through his mental map of Redwater, picturing the alleyway in his mind. “All right. I’ll open a rift just behind the dumpster. Make sure no one sees you.”