“You guys really have a thing for colors,” I remarked casually, still taking it all in.
“And simple names, yes,” she said with a wink.
“Well, this girl is grateful. It’s hard to remember all the creatures in my world, let alone this one, and Mean Green just makes sense here. Red, too.” I laughed, noticing for the first time that Cash was gone.
I wasn’t given the chance to go looking for where my Southern belle had run off to. I was suddenly wrapped tightly inside someone’s arms, an incredibly inviting musk infiltrating my nose. The loud thunder of their excited heart made me smile as I wrapped my arms around them.
“Fuck, maus, please tell me I’m not dreaming. You’re really here,” Phillip murmured, holding on tight. If I weren’t a supernatural monster, he would’ve crushed me for sure. “What the fuck do you think you were doing leaving us all behind, hmm? You better have a damn good excuse, lass, or you can expect a spanking worthy of my pain and suffering.”
I snickered into his chest and squeezed him in reply. “Oh, yeah. It’s definitely you. I missed you, asshole.”
His arms wrapped around me tighter, then his mouth was on mine in a kiss only Phillip could give. “There’s too much to say, mein Schatz.”
Phillip wasn’t his usually kempt self. It was more than a little odd to see him with a beard, but I didn’t give two shits how he’d shown up, only that he did. His kiss hello was everything to me right now because it meant maybe we’d get through the next bit in one united piece. At least I hoped we did.
Touching his scruffy face, I gave him my best taunting smile. “Same, but maybe just kiss me for now?”
His lips twitched upwards, then he laid the passion on thick and heady until someone was forced to clear their throat. My eyes dashed over and Sloan was there waiting, arms outstretched, with Cash and Jo behind him.
Phillip released me and I ran straight into Sloan’s perfect embrace. He held me close, whispering sweet little nothings about how proud he was of me and how much he missed me—how he didn’t doubt for a moment I’d be out here kicking ass. My Brit never failed to be my biggest and strongest supporter.
He didn’t kiss me at first. Sloan always read the room. But I no longer cared. I went on my toes and kissed him like I couldn’t get enough. Like I never wanted to stop kissing him. I’d attach myself to him like a barnacle from here on out if that was what it took to keep him close.
Sloan brushed my hair back and pulled away. “I’m glad to see you doing well, love. It’s been hell without your…unique tea in the mornings to greet the day.”
“Hey, I don’t know how to make tea. I’m a coffee girl. You never told me it was weird to mix bags and put half-and-half into it instead of milk with a bit of sugar and chocolate,” I complained in between giggles. “It works for coffee…”
“Pretty sure that’s standard common sense, darling,” he teased and dropped a sweet peck on my forehead. “But I can’t have my tea any other way now. You’ve ruined me.”
“Sorry not sorry.” I pressed my cheek into his chest and gave him another tight hug, over the moon to be smelling his rich cologne again.
Finally, the rest of the room came into focus. Jealousy screamed across my bond with Cash, but another emotion as well. Relief? Happiness? Acceptance? It was tough to describe, but I knew without understanding how that he was just happy to see me happy. Unbelievably jealous, but still happy.
Our eyes met and he gave me that saucy smile of his. “I hate to cut this reunion short, but we should move along before someone comes looking for…all these sorry sods.”
“Someone?” Sloan asked, keeping close to my side with an arm wrapped around my waist.
Taking my other side, Phillip dropped an arm around my shoulders and playfully pretended to punch Sloan. “One, I’m guessing?”
Surprised, I jerked my head up to him. “You know about One?”
“Yeah, among other things. But he’s right. We should do this somewhere else,” Phillip said, glancing at Cash then Jo. “How’d you find us?”
Cash’s face twisted with insult. “You weren’t exactly covert in your search. You’ve already made quite the name for yourself in the realm, and it’s going to make it especially difficult for my dove and her little human friend. They’ll be interrogating any humans who could possibly be hybrids. Thanks for that. Cheers.”
Phillip gave my Fae Karen a death glare, but Jo was quick to interject, “Let’s get out of here. We’ll talk once we aren’t worried about who might overhear.”
I half-expected Cash to do something and give our bond away entirely, but he didn’t. He kept his distance despite the frustration I got in waves from him.
My emotions were all over the place when we all finally sat down together. I wasn’t sure who to sit next to, but Phillip made that choice for me. He captured me and sat me on his lap before I could stand around being extra V awkward. Without realizing it, I searched for Cash and Jo in an instant, then Sloan. No one seemed bothered, not even Cash. Maybe because Phillip had always been this way. Still, I expelled a relieved sigh and settled on his lap.
Cash spoke first, as if knowing I was struggling to find a good place to start. “How were you able to use the portal—or perhaps I should ask, how were you able to find it?”
Phillip’s arm tightened around me, and he dropped a kiss on my neck. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed his touch. We’dbeen apart longer than the last two weeks, and I’d been aching to feel him again.
My eyes closed.
I was more determined than ever to make this work, whatever I had to do to convince him that I loved him no matter who I was with or how many. No matter if he was an asshole who couldn’t keep his promises. I loved him flaws and all, and I deserved to be heard even when he was pissed off. This time I’d make him listen even if it took teaming up with Sloan to make that happen. The big asshole couldn’t run if he was tied to a chair.
