Page 76 of My Undead Love Life

“I wish we had ice.” I rubbed it. The words had barely left my mouth before Oxi started dressing.

“Give me a second,” he said. He yanked on his clothes fast, shoved his feet into his boots, grabbed his cane sword, and headed for the back of the store.

“Oxi,” Mad called.

“I’m not going far!”

“That’s what people say before going far.”

“I’m getting snow from the roof access,” Oxi snapped back. “Not taking a scenic walk through the parking lot.”

Luck’s gaze moved over my face. “You scared us, slayer.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Slayer?”

His ears turned a little pink, but he grinned anyway. “You remind me of one when you use that katana.”

Mad made a low sound that might’ve been amusement.

“What?” Luck asked defensively. “You have flare. Oxi has snowfire. I needed something.”

“Slayer,” I repeated, putting my underwear back on.

“If you hate it, I’ll workshop.”

“I don’t hate it.” My lips curved into an amused smile.

His grin widened. “Yes!”

A few minutes later, Oxi returned. He held a shirt bundled carefully in his hands, the fabric already dampening from the snow inside.

“You wanted ice.” He unfolded the fabric to reveal a lump of packed snow and ice inside.

“Oh my gosh.” I laughed softly. “Oxi, I could kiss you.”

He froze for a split second. So did Luck and Mad.

My face heated. “I mean…”

Oxi stepped closer before I could make it worse. “Turn around, snowfire.”

I did. Slowly.

He pressed the cold bundle against my bruised shoulder.

I gasped, my whole body jerking from the cold.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

“No, it’s good. It just surprised me.”

His hand stayed there, holding it in place for me. He was so close I could feel the warmth of him through his jacket even with the ice between us. His other hand hovered near my waist for balance but didn’t touch until I swayed. Then his fingers settled lightly against my side, careful and steady.

Mad moved in front of me and lifted my chin with two fingers. “Breathe.”

“I am breathing.”

“You’re holding your breath.”