To say he was pissed about our little sleep over and he didn’t get invited would be an understatement. More like he was madder than a wet kitten. I almost snicker at the imagery, but school my features.
Waking up to Gunnar bellowing at the top of his lungs was a new experience for me—and Grim, too, it seems. He was the one who said he only rests, but he had to be sleeping with the way he jumped up. He sure seemed like he was startled. I think his ass teleported to the door, blocking Gunnar’s raging, psycho self from entering the room. Grim’s scythe and cloak appeared as if summoned right along with him.
Calix just tightened his grip around my waist and let out a soft sigh, as if waking up to screaming and hollering is an everyday occurrence for him.
“What are you unclear on?” Grim asks patiently.
I rake my eyes over his body. Damn, he can make a t-shirt and jeans look good. Does he just conjure that shit up, like his robe? “I’m still not sure where Kitten fits in. Is he with us, against us?”
“I’m withyou.” Gunnar accentuates the last word.
“So, no good guy, bad guy? I make a really good bad guy,” I offer, while waggling my eyebrows.
“What do you know about being the bad guy?” Calix snickers.
“I’ll have you know, a Brownie taught me her interrogation techniques.” I smirk, full of pride. That gets Calix’s and Grim’s attention.
Gunnar actually cracks a smile. “No shit?”
“Aeson, she’s one of my best friends,” I brag.
“No, no. I really don’t think that will be necessary.” Calix darts his eyes to Grim. “Let’s just go in, hang out, and see what we can learn.”
“I think we should talk to that Joe guy. Something about him was iffy.” I pull on a leather jacket and lift my hair out of the collar.
“If he’s there, we’ll talk to him,” Grim concedes. “Tell me about this back office.” He looks at Gunnar.
I groan. “Not that place! It’s worse than the bathroom.”
“You wouldn’t think that if you knew half the shit that goes down in that bathroom,” Gunnar mumbles dejectedly.
“I thought I was going to contract herpes from your couch,” I counter.
“It’s not that bad. Back of the club, ground level, last office on the left,” Gunnar directs Grim. “If you need a quiet exit, the code to get back in the door is zero-five-two-zero.”
“That’s my birthday, May twentieth,” I chirp.
“I know.” Gunnar glances down at me.
“Oh…you did that…like, on purpose?” I stammer a little. I don’t even really celebrate my birthday.
“Yes, it’s a date I’ll never forget,” Gunnar admits, unabashed.
“I knew there was a reason I liked you, Kitten.” I grab hold of Gunnar’s shirt and drag him down to my lips, planting a quick, hard kiss on his mouth.
When I release him, Grim is watching me. “I knew it was your birthday too,” he blurts.
A burst of laughter erupts from me. “If you want a kiss, all you have to do is ask.” I set my hands on my hips and wait.
“I want a kiss.” Calix raises his hand and responds quickly.
Grim pushes his way in front of me before I can step over to Calix. Grim scowls at the other man then turns his attention to me. “May I have a kiss, please?” Grim’s voice is pitched low as he crowds into my space. He licks his bottom lip and waits. He has the patience of a saint.
I hear Gunnar’s huff and a shuffling movement. I bet he’s turning away so he doesn’t have to see, and he should, because this isn’t going to be just a peck. I mean, Grim asked so nicely. I wonder how many more times I could get him to say please. I peer up at him from under my lashes and beckon him down to me with a crook of my finger.
He leans down, his eyes still locked on mine, and pauses with his lips a hairsbreadth away from mine. Without any more notice, I push my lips against Grim’s and slide my tongue into his mouth. His hands wrap around my head, and he gives back just as much as I’m giving. I bite his bottom lip in response.
“Oh, okay. I think we need to get going,” Calix singsongs. I ignore him and wrap my arms around Grim’s torso. I’ve never really thought about my height, but right now, I wish I were a little taller, so he wouldn’t have to bend down, and I could feel his entire body against mine.
