“Is that so?” I challenge, raking my hand through his silky blue hair.
“It is so. You think I don’t know?” Another yawn rips out of him. “You just can’t say no to me, no matter what crazy thing I ask for.”
He’s out less than five minutes later and I am glad, because if he was still awake, he’d see me grinning like the biggest fool in love in the entire world.
We arrive in Nagoya just after sunset. I briefed Kwanchai, Leo and Kieran during the flight back, and Daichi joined via video call. Using connections he has to the Hawaiian coast guard, Daichi has confirmed that other than us, no one else made it off the ship, which is good news. With the information Hex obtained, we’ll start eliminating the remaining players as early as next week, and once that’s done, we can maybe look into culling the governments from their weak links. It’s not something we can do overnight of course, but we have the upper hand now.
After bidding goodnight to my companions and making sure that Mong and Eleanor will be taken care of, I pick up my sleeping beauty from the three seats he’s sprawled over. He’s snoring lightly, which tells me his sleep is a bit restless, but I am sure he’ll be fine. He’s a fighter.
My black SUV, which I had someone drive over to the airport, is parked at the service gate. This time, I opt for the backseat, letting the chauffeur take us to Hex’s place so I can take on the role of his pillow. Or maybe Teddy Bear is more accurate with how tightly he hugs me the moment the car rocks forward.
Not that I am complaining.
Hex’s apartment is dark and a little stuffy when I key in his code—which is, again, my birthday—and enter. After placing him gently on the couch in his lounge, I open a few of the windows and fill up his bathtub. With a ton of whining and complaining, I get him to undress and soak in the water, and in the meantime, I check his fridge.
Unsurprisingly, all I can find are eggs and cucumbers. But they will do.
I get some rice going and make a fluffy but runny omelet, just the way Hex likes it. Cucumbers with vinegar, soy sauce and sesame seeds follow. By the time I’ve plated up, Hex should be done with his bath, so I go to check on him, frowning when I don’t find him in the bathroom.
“Are you looking for me?” he says from behind me, his voice laced with something dark and titillating.
Swallowing as I loosen my collar, I turn around. His hair is a damp mess, and his cheeks are flushed in the cutest way. He’s wearing his red house shorts and a black hoodie with one of those ridiculous prints. This one reads ‘I like big burgers’ and shows a guy with his face tucked between two disproportionately giant ass cheeks.
I cross my arms and lean my shoulder against the doorframe. “I was, in fact. Dinner’s ready.”
He marches over and plants himself in front of me, mouth pouting. “Okay, but you didn’t even ask me whether I want dinner, bath, or crazy hot sex with you.”
I ponder that for a second, feeling the corner of my lips curl up. “Does the order matter?”
Pushing off the wall, I walk into the lounge while he just stands there like a statue. He needs about ten seconds before he can function again, so I use that time to get the table ready. Then I wait.
“Oh…Ooooh.” His feet thud against the tiles as he sprints over to me. Cheeks red, and beaming the most beautiful smile of the day, he lowers himself on the chair. “I like this plan. But I’m suddenly not hungry, so can we skip to banging?”
I take a sip from my glass of water, leaning into the backrest of my chair. The way he says things can be so silly and endearing at the same time. But I must be firm, because he hasn’t eaten all day. “No. Food first.”
He sighs in disappointment and takes a bite of his omelet, making an unfairly erotic expression that’s one hundred percent intentional. “I could eat you out instead?” He licks his lips. “I bet you taste yummy.”
He’s ridiculous, but I’m glad he’s back to his usual self. I was a little worried he might end up breaking down, but the nap and hot bath seemed to have helped. Still, I’ll monitor him for a while.
“Wouldn’t you like to find out?” I say, because I feel like it. I’ve never given into his silly games, I learned early on that the best way to shut him down is to ignore him, but I don’t have to do that anymore, do I?
Shock is written all over his face. “Are you…flirtingwith me? Holy shit, I need to tell Leo and Matt!”
“Flirting is not the only thing I want to do with you,” I interrupt him as he begins to vigorously type on his phone.
He gapes at me, blinking slowly. “Oh my god.”
This is new for me. I don’t… I never imagined I would be in a position where I could do it. But it’s fun, especially with the lovely way he goes red like a tomato. For all his talk and bravado, he’s so innocent when he’s on the receiving end of a flirt.
No one has seen this side of him. Just me, because I am the only person who can get him flustered. It’s the best feeling ever, humbling and tantalizing at the same time.
I was going to wait, maybe until tomorrow, so he could rest. But he’s such a little devil, poking me with his trident and chipping away at my resolve to behave. It’s no use, I can’t fight this. I want him in my arms, in my bed, chanting my name as I show him how absolutely he owns me.
Food forgotten, I stand and circle the table. He looks a little confused at first, wary too, like he doesn’t know what’s happening. Good, he can’t be the only one who gives heart palpitations.
“Up,” I say, gazing into his pretty eyes.
His Adam’s apple bobs, and after a small delay, he complies.
