Reece’s cheeks were even more flushed now, and againstthe wall, his fingers flexed again. “Do I really have to keep my hands up and off you?”
“Yeah. You do,” Grayson said. “’Cause you’re the one who didn’t want to talk.”
He slid his hand into Reece’s back pocket, drawing another sharp inhale. Reece’s gaze fell to his lips, his tongue darting out to wet his own lips. “Why should I talk when we could kiss?”
Another pulse of desire went through Grayson. He tried to ignore it. “You do remember what happened last time you tried that?”
Reece shrugged lightly, a small movement with his hands still up by his head. “I bet if we kiss for only a second, it won’t knock me out.”
That was probably true. And also a damn trap.
“Nice try,” Grayson said, “but I’m not falling for that.”
“Falling for what?” Reece said, too innocent.
“You know what.” It’d be so easy for Grayson to pull him right into his arms and kiss him. And Reece was right; if they kept it short enough, he should stay conscious. But giving in to the pull was out of the question.
“We’re not gonna keep building your immunity to me. I’m not gonna let you get any more used to my touch than you already are.” Grayson’s body made a liar of him as he bent his head another inch. “We’re not kissing. Not a chance.”
“You sure?” Reece’s voice was barely louder than his breaths. “Because you look like a man about to make a bad decision.”
“You make me want to,” Grayson heard himself whisper.
He might have been leaning down, or maybe Reece was stretching up on his toes, when Reece suddenly yanked back. “Who the fuck is that?”
“Who?” Grayson started to ask. But then he heard it: an engine—no,severalengines, pulling into the building’s parking lot.
“You brought Stone Solutions with you again?” Reece’s tone was accusing, maybe even hurt.
“No,” Grayson said, pulling his hand off Reece. “I came alone last night; I came alone today. I always work alone; it’s safer.”
“Don’t lie to me, Evan—”
“Reece, I swear,” Grayson said. “I didn’t bring anyone. I didn’t even know you were here.”
Reece took a hard breath. “Fine.” His pupils had dilated, making his eyes glittery black, as his empathy went on high alert, picking up the emotions around them. “But at least two dozen people just arrived. And they are ready for a fight.”
Grayson stepped back, straining his ears.
“—that’s the Smart car, he must be here somewhere—we have nothing to fear, we’re ready for him this time—”
He knew that voice.
Grayson grabbed Reece by the hoodie sleeve. “This way,” he said, as he yanked him out of the stairwell.
Reece stumbled on his shorter legs as Grayson tugged him down the hall. “Where are we going?”
“You have to get out of here.” Grayson pulled Reece into the closest office. “Rightnow.”
He jammed the Magnum into its holster. He could hear the footsteps spreading out through the parking lot as he stretched up to the ceiling.
“I can handle twenty people,” Reece started as Grayson popped a ceiling tile loose.
“I still got bruises from the last time you handled people.” Grayson pointed to the hole he’d just made in the ceiling. “There are industrial-sized air vents above us that feed this office and the building. They can handle your average-sized maintenance man and can definitely handle an empath. Follow them to the end of the building, and you can get into thefire stairs from there.” He held out his pocket-sized flashlight. “Be careful and don’t get caught.”
Reece took the flashlight delicately so their fingers didn’t brush. “And you’ll climb up behind me?”
Grayson shook his head. “I’m too heavy for the vents. But it doesn’t matter if this group finds me. I got every right to be here.” He held out his hands, cupped together to make a footrest. “Just like old times, right?”
