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She had already been headed toward the closet, but she turned around and pointed a finger at me. “You’re not allowed to all of a sudden be a smartass.”
I smirked and stalked toward her. “What can I say? You bring outallsides of me.”
Her fist punched my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her before she could do it a second time. “I’m glad you’re getting along with Markus.”
She pulled her head back and half-smiled, half-glared at me. “Were you listening to us earlier?”
My thumb rubbed lightly over her bottom lip. “Only for a moment. When I realized you two were having a personal conversation, I decided to stay in the room until I heard Lia shout.”
“I wasn’t telling him anything I haven’t already told you, anyway,” she said, relaxing within my steady hold.
I’d already assumed that, and, while it wasn’t necessary, it didn’t go unnoticed that she was trying to make me feel better.
“How about you put on something similar to what you wore last night so you can come to my house prepared for anything?” I suggested. I didn’t want to think we’d find trouble there, but I’d rather be overcautious than ambushed.
She nodded, tension filling her eyes again. “I’m going to be glad when this mess is over.”
“Unfortunately, ‘this mess’ is only beginning,” I reminded her. “Being Alpha Supreme of a House that has been through everything that Fire and Fluorite has over the last two-plus decades isn’t going to be easy, but you’ll learn who you can trust to handle some of the issues that come up. They won’t always fall on you.”
“Like you?” she asked with a small grin playing on her lips.
“As much as I haven’t wanted to be part of a House in past years, I wouldn’t be anywhere other than where you are,” I said. “Plus, you’ll have Ryder.”
“And Lia and Markus,” she said hopefully.
I wasn’t so sure about that.
I stroked her back. “You might need to prepare yourself in accepting that there’s a chance they’ll go back to Blood and Beryl.”
Her face jerked back as if that shouldn’t have even been an option. “Why would they do that? This was Markus’s home for most of his life.”
“Exactly,” I said.
She nibbled on her cheek, then sighed. “I see your point. It might be too much for him to stay here. Too many reminders of the person he used to be.”
I nodded and kissed her forehead. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t visit frequently.”
“Yeah.” The word fell flat from her lips.
I turned her in the direction of the closet. “Get dressed so I can show you my cabin.”
She brightened a little at that. “I better not find any clothing from other women there.”
Without thinking, I jerked her back to me and she landed against my chest with anoomph. My eyes bored into hers, hoping she would not only hear my conviction, but see it in my face as well. “I’ve never brought another woman into my home, Kinsley. You’ll be the first.”
She swallowed thickly. “Good to know.”
I smacked her ass. “Now hurry up.”
Without another word, she disappeared to change, likely into the boots I’d peeled off her last night and some new jeans.
I’d only picked combat clothes when Ryder had offered us extra things to feel more comfortable, so I was ready, but I needed to check on Lia.
I left Kinsley in the room to finish preparing and headed back to the living room. Markus was nowhere to be seen, so I took the opportunity to disrupt Lia’s meditation without him bitching about it.
My finger was an inch away from her arm, ready to poke, but her other hand snatched mine and she opened one eye. “What are you doing?”
“Getting you up,” I answered while yanking my arm back. “I need you to teleport us to my house.”
