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Nelson chewed on his lip as he studied Merlin. “I googled the name Oglethorpe.”
“Did you?” Merlin asked excitedly, becoming alert and animated again. He returned the chalk to the ledge and rubbed the dust from his fingers with a flourish. “I am on tenterhooks, Agent!”
Nox wasn’t. He sat up, concerned at what Nelson might have learned. Nelson blinked at Merlin for a moment before flipping his notepad open to the proper page. From where Nox was sitting, there wasn’t a lot there and Nelson looked unsure as he cast cautious glances at Merlin. But Nox understood Nelson well enough by now to know that he had to ask if he had questions.
Nelson tugged at his collar and raised the notepad closer to his face. “It’s…an old Norse name combining the elements Oddketill + thorpe. Odd meaning ‘point of a weapon,’ and ketill meaning ‘cauldron.’”
Merlin groaned appreciatively at him. “Nox was right. You do ask very interesting questions.”
Nelson looked up from the notepad. “Did I ask a question?”
“Not out loud, but I see it! You clever boy.” He chuckled softly as he crossed the rug to Nelson and reached to pat his cheek.
“Watch his hands,” Nox advised, his neck stretching warily as he looked on.
Merlin winked up at Nelson, then turned to Nox. “He could use another little lesson in history,” he said with a suggestive purr.
“No thank you,” Nelson grumbled into his whiskey. He had sunk onto the edge of the desk and looked defeated again. Not being able to roam and hunt when there were clues to follow had to be an insult to injury for Nelson. He was under so much pressure to redeem himself and deliver for Nox and the victims.
“Eat your dinner and give Nelson some space,” Nox told Merlin.
He let out an exaggerated yawn and wiggled his brows at Nox. “I think I’ll scoot, actually. The two of you can take care of the dishes.”
“If you’re sure,” Nox said, then sat forward and offered his lips as Merlin passed.
“Goodnight, my child.” He pecked at Nox’s lips, then blew Nelson a kiss. “Try to get some rest, you two. Or not.” He departed with a regal shrug, making Nox laugh.
“Night, Merlin.”
“Night,” Nelson grunted before sipping his whiskey.
“How about some tea?” Nox suggested and shoveled another large bite into his mouth. He chewed and rose with his plate, swinging his head toward the kitchen.
“That would be fine.”
Nelson gathered his plate and dropped it on the cart, then grabbed the handlebar and followed Nox. The kitchen was clean and it only took Nelson a few minutes to clear the plates and platters from the cart into the dishwasher. He parked the cart in the hallway just as Nox finished preparing his tea.
“Here.” Nox slid a mug of Nelson’s special bedtime blend at him.
There was an appreciative groan from Nelson as he sipped. “Thank you.”
Nox felt it in the pit of his stomach and heat swirled in his core. “Sure. Anything, Nelson,” he breathed as he planted a hand on the work table and swayed closer. He truly meant it. He’d trade a piece of his soul for just one kiss. But Nox didn’t like the heavy look in Nelson’s eyes. How much whiskey had he drunk? Was he still feeling the effects of Nox’s stunt in the study? Was the tea kicking in already? Nox had gone heavy on the hops and valerian. “Is it sweet enough?” He asked as he straightened.
“Wait.” Nelson caught Nox’s jaw, halting him. “It’s better here…with you. It’s so quiet now.” He trembled as he pulled Nox closer and Nelson whispered his name as their lips brushed. There was a spark of bright warmth, making them jump.
Nox held onto Nelson’s hand and hushed softly. “Let’s figure out what’s going on between us and who you are, first. I think you’re about as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen and I’d love nothing more than to take you upstairs and do unspeakable, unholy things. But I’m not that into harps.”
A strained laugh burst from Nelson. “You are in my dreams. I’ve had a lot of the unspeakable and unholy lately, though. I really, really need some…quiet and it’s quietest when I’m close to you like this.”
“I have an idea.” Nox curled his hand around Nelson’s and held it against the eye on his chest. “Trust me.” He urged Nelson to stop the wheels turning in his head, to step away from Elsa Hansen, Adam Tipton, and the MacCrorys just for the night, and to trust his soul into Nox’s care.
“Okay. But I’m not perfect, Nox. Everything that’s gone right the last few days has been because of you.”
“Shhh!” Nox tapped his forehead hard against Nelson’s. “Don’t argue with me unless you want to end up wearing what’s left of that tea and sleeping outside again.”
“I won’t,” Nelson replied, shaking his head. “Please don’t send me—”
“I was joking. Come on. Bring that with you,” Nox said as he caught Nelson’s sleeve and towed him from the kitchen. “Let’s see what happens if you stay in my bed tonight, with me. I promise I’ll behave.”
