The stern tone has me shivering. “Oooh, bossy.”
He rolls his eyes. “I can be back in Poughkeepsie tonight?—”
I slide my fingers through his. “It’s fine. You stay in the city. I won’t say no to you visiting me on weekends though.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“It’s not that much of a commute?—”
“I promise I’ll be fine.”
He sits up, dislodges me, then tumbles me over so that he’s pinning me to the bed. “I’ll agree only if you call me when you need me.”
“If!”
“When.”
“IF!”
“When.”
I huff. “Fine.”
“Yesterday counts. I want you to callmeif you’re having any issues.”
“What will you do if I don’t?”
“Testing me already,kotik? You want to be spanked?” His lips drop a kiss to the tip of my nose.
“Stop talking about it,” I grouch even as my hands dig into his hips and I hold him in place.
“Less talk, more action?”
“Not this morning. I have class at nine.”
At my prim retort, he bursts out laughing. “But if class started at ten…”
“That would be adequate time.” I grin at him, but it starts to fade as I let my hand trace along the strong line of his back. So many muscles… for a reason. A lot of people have wanted him dead. “Will me being a Veronian cause you more danger?”
“Breathing is dangerous,” he disregards.
“That’s no answer.”
“It’s the only answer I’ll give.”
“I’ll take it as a yes, then.”
“My world is dangerous, but so is your brothers-in-law’s. It’s life. We could walk outside right this second and a car could mow us down. Just a simple twist of fate. No malice, still death.” His eyes catch mine. “Do you wish to stop? The Veronians, I mean.”
“No, if anything, I want a full-scale takeover.”
“You’re young. You’ll be low down in the ranks. That might not?—”
“I’m looking at literal proof that being on the bottom doesn’t mean you can’t make it to the top.” I tip my chin at him. “Am I wrong?”
His smile’s devious. “You’re not wrong.”
