Page 60 of Healed

Except that might have been funny had he not been drunk. And had I not been on the back of him. We both went spilling forward, becoming too top-heavy to stay upright.

Just before we fell to the floor, two large hands clamped around my waist, holding me midair as Vienna collapsed into a heap.

I turned my head just as Dante lowered me to the ground, shooting me a small wink before he followed Rachel upstairs.

“I feel betrayed!” Vienna whimpered from the floor. I heard a giggle and saw Dante jog down the stairs, encouraged by a still cackling Rachel. His hand pushed through the banister, knocked over the table, sending the vase of flowers crashing on top of Vienna’s head.

“Bed!” Heather snapped at Dante’s retreating form. “And you!” she nudged Vienna with her foot. “Get off the floor and up to bed. You, too, Missy!” she warned me.

I didn’t need telling twice. I ran up the stairs, giggling and stumbling, collapsing in a heap outside my door.

I had barely managed three steps before I heard another exaggerated groan from somewhere behind me.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” I laughed, turning around.

Vienna was sprawled dramatically across the top of the staircase, one arm thrown over his eyes as though he’d just survived some great battle rather than having his beard tugged by a woman half his size.

“I’ve been mortally wounded,” he announced to absolutely nobody.

“You’ve had your beard pulled.”

“Exactly.”

“You deserved it.”

“I was an innocent victim.”

“You made me kick her.”

“I merely assisted. Eth.”

I shook my head, unable to stop smiling as I wandered back down towards him. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I’ve heard rumours.”

“You’re a menace.”

“I’ve heard those as well.”

He held one hand out towards me, looking for all the world like a damsel waiting to be rescued, and despite knowing full well he was perfectly capable of getting up by himself, I sighed dramatically and took it.

“You’re lucky you’re pretty.”

“I know.”

The second my fingers wrapped around his, he grinned.

“Got you.”

“Oh, no—”

He gave my arm a sharp tug, not enough to hurt me but enough to throw me completely off balance. I squealed as I stumbled forward, my knees colliding with his chest before we both toppled sideways into an undignified heap across the stairs.

“Jesus, are you okay?” I said, my hands wandering all over his body as I checked his stitches to make sure none had come back open.

Vienna just grinned, looking down at my hands on his skin.

“What do you think?”