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“Don’t start that again, you little vampire.”
The name makes me laugh. “I wasn’t starting anything,” I promise.
And I wasn’t. I’m warm, comfortable, and worn out. It was only a goodnight kiss, but I couldn’t resist being a bit of a tease about it.
I kiss him again softly on the lips, and he wraps his arm around my waist. He’s not quite touching where his name is carved into me, not now he’s just cleaned the cuts up, but his fingers hover at the edges, and it’s clear where his attention is.
It still stings, the smaller cuts are more annoying for that, all over me, and no matter where I lie, I’m putting pressure on some of them. But I’m so exhausted that even the discomfort can’t keep me awake, and I soon fall asleep curled against Caelan’s side.
ChapterTen
My rest is fitful, and I toss and turn constantly, instinctively trying to get more comfortable but too tired to wake up properly. I’m not sure what makes me open my eyes, but I find myself alone in bed. It’s still dark, just one lamp dimly lighting the other side of the room, and I can hear voices.Elias must be back.
They’re too quiet for me to make out what they’re saying, but it doesn’t sound particularly antagonistic. In fact, if I had to hazard a guess, the low rumble of Elias’ tone sounds rather suggestive, and Caelan’s being his usual flirty, teasing little shit self in return.
If I was more awake, I would’ve been very interested in seeing what they were up to because there are a few noises, choked-back gasps, and quiet groans that make it sound like they’re doing a bit more than just talking. Unfortunately, sleep drags me back under before I can give it any further thought.
When I finally wake properly, the room is lit with the pale light of early morning. Both Elias and Caelan are in bed with me. Even with the generous king-size bed, it’s a bit of a squash, as Caelan sprawls out.
Elias is sitting up, reclined on a pillow propped against the headboard, casually reading through a file in one hand. Shirtless and wearing only a pair of sleep pants that sit rather low on his hips, he is a lovely sight to wake up to.
Elias notices me stirring and runs a hand through my hair. “Good morning.”
I curl up tighter at his side, my head resting against his thigh. “Do you even sleep?” I mutter.
Elias chuckles. “We don’t have the same need for sleep as you. We can, and it is pleasant enough, just not necessary. But yes, I did.”
I glance over at Caelan, who seems dead to the world on my other side.
“Caelan enjoys being lazy,” Elias says in response to my unasked question, his lips quirking into a smile somewhere between amused and exasperated. Then his expression turns more serious. “How was he last night?”
I grin, knowing what Elias is asking. “Verygood,” I reply in a suggestive purr, then giggle as Elias lightly swats my thigh in admonishment. I stretch out beneath the covers, reluctantly gearing myself up to move. “I’ll tell you about it in a sec, but I gotta go for a morning bathroom break first.”
“Of course.”
The only options for getting out are an undignified wriggle to the foot of the bed or clambering over either Elias or Caelan. I don’t want to wake Caelan, so I carefully throw my legs over Elias’ lap instead, straddling him for a moment before sliding off the other side. He raises an eyebrow over his files.
Despite the small moment of teasing Elias, I am not awake just yet. Being out of bed at all feels like a chore. I finish in the bathroom quickly, wanting nothing more than to crawl beneath the covers and curl up with them both.
After splashing water on my face, I rinse my mouth out. After all, Elias is right there, awake and in the same bed. It would be a shame not to sneak in a few kisses, and I don’t want morning breath.
When I get back, I find Elias has put his paperwork aside, waiting for me. He gestures me over with one finger, and I bite my lip, obediently climbing back into his lap.
I lay against his chest, and he slides his hands down my thighs. “Let me see,” Elias says, and I realize he’s inspecting the cuts Caelan left on me.
“Caelan was sweet,” I say, seriously now, in answer to the question Elias had intended before I left. I decide not to mention the brief murder threats. “He took good care of me, I promise.”
My pajama shorts ride high enough that almost all the marks on my thighs are visible, but Elias pushes my top up to see the rest. The contact of his cool fingers running up my sides makes me shiver.
He pauses over the larger wound on my back, lightly brushing against the raw edges of it. “Ah, yes. Caelan mentioned this.”
I duck my head, feeling the heat rise to my face. It’s embarrassing to be called out on what we did, but I am so not over the delight of being marked with Caelan’s name like that.
“We may have got, um, a little bit carried away. But it was very much mutual.” I can’t help but notice the way Elias is frowning, though. “Are you upset?”
He closes his eyes for a moment, taking a breath and visibly forcing himself to let go of his tension. “I apologize, dear. It makes me feel somewhat possessive to see another man’s claim on you like that. Even if it is only Caelan, and we did agree to share.”
“Should I get him to carve your name into me as well next time?” I suggest. Only partially joking.
