“Glad to see my artistry is appreciated by someone,” Wei preened, while Colt rolled his eyes so hard they were in danger of getting stuck.
Xander settled into a chair, his usual easy grace somewhat hampered by exhaustion. “What’s the morning entertainment? Besides watching Colt arrange his breakfast like he’s competing onTop Chef?”
“Jaxson’s romantic desert of a love life,” Colt supplied, ignoring the jab about his eating habits. “Care to join the intervention?”
“Again?” Xander’s eyes sharpened despite his sleepy demeanor. “Weren’t we just discussing this the other day? When you were adamant about being ‘too busy’ for dating?”
“And yet,” Wei chimed in, starting another batch of coffee, “he somehow finds time to monitor our little Shrine Maiden’s every breath.”
Colt’s knuckles went white around his mug, while Xander’s casual sprawl suddenly looked more calculated than careless. Jaxson caught the flash of something in Xander’s eyes when Lan’s name was mentioned—something hungry and possessive that made Jaxson’s hackles rise.
“Speaking of our resident sleeping beauty,” Xander said, his tone carefully neutral though his eyes were anything but, “isn’t he usually up by now?”
“He had a late night,” Jaxson said carefully, trying not to think about soft gasps and trembling hands. About the way Lan had arched beneath him, the way those small fingers had clutched at his shoulders, the way those dark eyes had looked up at him with such trust, such need.
“Oh?” Wei’s eyebrows climbed toward his hairline. “And what exactly were you two doing that warranted such a late night?”
Jaxson’s coffee suddenly became fascinating. “Just… helping him with some things.”
“Things?” Colt’s voice could have frozen hell itself. His methodical stirring of coffee took on an almost threatening rhythm.
“I can go wake him,” Xander offered too quickly, already half rising from his chair. “Make sure he doesn’t miss breakfast.”
“He needs his sleep,” Jaxson said sharply, then forced himself to soften his tone. The possessive beast in him wanted to snarl at the mere thought of another touching what was his. “He’s still growing.”
The possessive edge in his voice was unmistakable, and judging by the way Colt’s eyes narrowed and Xander’s smile tightened, they’d both caught it. Jaxson couldn’t bring himself to care. After last night, something fundamental had shifted between him and Lan. The boy might not be his completely—not yet—but Jaxson had staked his claim in ways his brothers couldn’t begin to understand.
“Funny. I don’t I don’t remember you being this… accommodating when I was that age. Or any of us, for that matter.” Colt’s words cut through the air like ice shards.
Wei’s dark eyes sparkled with glee. “Yes, do tell us what makes our Little Fairy so special that he gets the five-star treatment. Including personal sleepovers in the master suite.”
Because he’s everything, Jaxson’s traitorous mind supplied.Because his smile makes my world spin, and his touch sets my soul on fire, and the taste of his lips is more addictive than any drug. Because when he looks at me with those dark eyes, I’d burn down the world just to keep him safe. Because he’s mine—has always been mine.
“He’s different,” Jaxson managed, knowing it was the wrong thing to say even as the words left his mouth.
Xander’s cup clattered against its saucer with more force than necessary. “Different how?”
“More delicate?” Colt’s suggestion dripped with sarcasm. “More precious? More in need of your constant attention?”
“More deserving of your… protection?” Wei added, clearly enjoying the show.
Yes to all of the above, Jaxson thought but didn’t say. Lan was all those things and more. He was sunlight after a storm, warmth in the dead of winter, the missing piece Jaxson hadn’t known he was searching for until it fell into his arms.
“Speaking of protection,” Xander interjected, his usual easy smile looking slightly strained, “I know this great girl from the bar. Smart, gorgeous, exactly your type?—”
“And there’s Season Three,” Jaxson muttered into his coffee.
“—she’s actually looking to buy property,” Xander continued as if Jaxson hadn’t spoken. “Perfect excuse to mix business with pleasure.”
“I know that look,” Colt said, pointing his spoon accusingly at Jaxson. “That’s your ‘thanks but no thanks’ face. The same one you gave that interior designer last month.”
“And the yoga instructor,” Wei helpfully supplied.
“And the coffee shop owner,” Xander added.
“And let’s not forget the?—”
“Enough.” Jaxson’s voice cut through their listing like a blade. “My love life isn’t up for committee review.”
