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“What is it?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound as annoyed as I felt.
“Do you think I could borrow your jacket? I mean, if you’re not using it? The air-conditioning is… a lot.”
Was there air-conditioning? I was clearly too hot to feel it.
Before I realized what I was doing, I’d turned around and lurched up onto my knees in the seat. Instead of chucking my jacket at him, I motioned him forward so I could reach the leather jacket around Kev’s shoulders. I fussed over him for several minutes, murmuring for him to put his arms down the sleeves so I could zip it up to keep some warmth inside.
Once he was covered up, he smiled softly. He mumbled a thanks and closed his eyes, leaning his head against the window.
I turned back around and put my seat belt back on. The vehicle had gotten very quiet all of a sudden, but I didn’t dare meet any of my teammates’ gazes. I already knew at least one of them would be giving me “what the fuck?” eyes, and the last thing I needed was for them to see the answering confusion in my own.
I had no idea what the fuck I was doing, that was the scary truth.
So, instead, I closed my eyes and tried not to listen for any scrap of sound from behind me. I tried not to imagine his sweet body wrapped in my jacket, infusing it with his signature scent.
I failed.
When we pulled up at the private airstrip where our plane was waiting, I realized Kev had fallen asleep. Yolanda woke him up gently and helped him climb out of the SUV and head to the tarmac.
I clenched my hands into fists to keep from taking over, but I also made sure to grab the seat next to Kev’s on the plane the minute Yolanda turned away.
When the small plane reached cruising altitude, Kev fell back asleep. If someone helped nudge his head down onto my shoulder to make him more comfortable… well, it was nobody’s business but mine.
And if, later that evening, that same someone got on his Horn and obtained a peace offering—for a truly exorbitant price. Goddamn inflation—and left it on the doorstep of a certain HogDoc’s homestead… well, that was nobody’s business but mine either.
9
KEV
After landing back in Tennessee in the small hours of the morning, I fell into bed, crusty eye glitter and all.
Big mistake.
I woke up Saturday morning feeling like I’d been on a drag queen bender. My hair was sticky, my face was scratchy, and purple glitter had made its way inside my underwear. Vague memories of stroking myself to images of Hux in the club before I’d finally zonked out last night flitted through my brain, but I banished them before they could take shape.
I had no idea what was going on with Hux. I didn’t know why he blew hot and cold, why sometimes he made me feel like I was the best, smartest version of myself and other times like I’d never be able to earn his respect. I didn’t understand why he’d kissed me like he wanted me, tucked me up in his jacket… then seemed able to turn it all off and barely mutter good night when we’d landed back in Tennessee like it had all been part of the op.
And maybe worse than all that, I didn’t understand what I wanted from him. Approval, yeah. Friendship, sure. More of those drugging kisses that made me feel like I was flying? Fuck… I really did.
So, what did that mean for my relationship with Adam? God, I was a terrible person. I hadn’t thought of him once the night before.
An online boyfriend is not a boyfriend, Hux’s voice whispered in my brain. Do you like the way he smells? The way he smiles? The way he looks at you? Does he make you think, ‘Now that is a man who could take me apart piece by piece and put me back together’?
I ignored my throbbing cock, dragged myself out of bed with a groan, and headed straight for the shower.
“Henry, set the shower steam to high and play the South Pacific soundtrack. Start with the one about washing that man right outta her hair.”
“Unfortunately, that selection is unavailable, sire,” the AI voice replied. “I’ve also crossed Gloria Gaynor off the accessible music list. Might I suggest Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’?”
The unmitigated gall! It turned out there was a reason why the concept of a sassy, all-knowing AI had never caught on.
“Play Ingrid Michaelson ‘Hell No,’” I said through gritted teeth.
The AI deliberately disobeyed me, which, to be fair, he didn’t do often. Only when he really thought I needed protecting.
“Playing ‘Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)’ by C & C Music Factory.”
