Chapter 17
I’m Aware Of How Beds Work
Kai to Nate: I’m fucked. [delivered]
Tess
Happy walks into the kitchen, Dopey and Grumpy following behind. He’s got a shit eating grin on his face.
“We’re off the clock. Wanna get drunk?” He holds up a bottle of tequila.
“You’re allowed to drink?”
Happy rolls his eyes. “Duh. There’s three other members of the team keeping watch. And it’s not like anyone will find us here.”
Fair enough.
I shrug. “Sure. Let’s do it.”
Happy pours out four shot glasses and I grab a fifth one. He raises an eyebrow at me but doesn’t say anything as he adds tequila to the last glass.
Kai choses that moment to walk in. His face screws up at the sight of the three guards in the kitchen.
“What's happening here?” His voice is pinched—he hates them being around for some reason.
“Drink.” I shove one of the shot glasses at him then knock mine back. It burns on the way down, but I try not to show it on my face.
Kai raises an eyebrow at me before shrugging his shoulders and downing his glass.
“Let’s play a game,” Happy says, already pouring everyone a new drink.
I groan. “What kind of game?”
“Strip poker?” he teases, waggling his eyebrows.
“Right, because I’m going to play a game that requires me to get naked in a house full of men,” I deadpan.
“Fine. Truth or dare.”
“Are we ten?” Kai grumbles.
I bite back a laugh. “Fine. Let’s play.”
We move to the living room, and I notice that Grumpy looks much more relaxed this evening, he doesn’t have his signature scowl on his face. Dopey looks… well dopey.
“T, you’re the princess so you start. Truth or dare?” Happy says, grinning.
“Truth.” No way am I starting with a dare.
Happy eyes glint with mischief, and I almost regret my choice. “If you had to sleep with one person in this room, who would it be?”
Kai growls in irritation next to me, we’re both sitting so close my arm is brushing up against his.
I smirk, because Happy is stupid if he thinks that will embarrass me.
“Kai. Next person.”
Kai chokes out air and Happy looks a strange mix of dejected and satisfied with himself.
I decide to ask the next question. “Happy, truth or dare?”
All four men look at me in confusion. “Happy?”
My cheeks heat.
“Oh shit. I forgot about that. That’s what I call you in my head.” A laugh tumbles out of me as their faces.
Grumpy leans forward with intrigue. “Does anyone else have a nickname?”
I flush slightly. “Uh.”
Dopey looks excited. “Tell us!”
I look at Grumpy first. “You’re Grumpy.” Then I look at Dopey. “You’re Dopey.”
They share a bemused look then burst out laughing. “That’s perfect,” Dopey says and the tension in my shoulder’s eases.
I clear my throat. “Anyway… Happy… or whatever your name is, truth or dare?”
“Dare. It’s Nico, by the way.”
“I’m going to stick with Happy.” I throw him a sugary sweet smile.
“Fine by me,” he shrugs.
“I dare you… to call the last person you slept with and tell them you miss them.”
Happy doesn’t miss a beat and looks straight into my eyes with a serious expression on his face. “Tess, I miss you.”
Kai’s face goes through about ten emotions within a few seconds—shock, hurt, anger—to name a few. His arm next to me is so tense it feels like it might break from how hard his muscles are clenching.
“I wouldn’t sleep with you if you paid me,” I scoff and Kai’s tension eases.
“You’d be lucky to catch my attention.” Happy clutches his chest in mock offense.
“Are you chickening out of the dare?” I quirk an eyebrow at him.
Happy grins then takes a shot. “Yep,” he says, wincing at the taste.
The game continues and everyone gets progressively more drunk.
It’s only once I’m halfway sliding off the sofa, resembling a melting ice cream cone, that Kai finally calls it quits.
“Alright, time for bed,” he says, standing up and slapping his serious face back on like he’s Batman off to fight crime.
He’s been surprisingly chill tonight—it’s been nice. I like it when he smiles.
“Carry me?” I whine dramatically, sprawled on the floor like roadkill. I’m not that drunk, but my lightweight tendencies mean gravity is extra aggressive tonight. I may also be playing it up, just a little.
Kai sighs, the sound of a man rethinking all his life choices, but still obliges, scooping me up fireman-style.
I cling to him like a koala and bury my face in his chest, inhaling deeply.
“Yum,” I moan, utterly inappropriate but very satisfying.
His scent is a clean soapy smell that’s just perfect for him.
Behind us, the three guards chuckle as they stand to leave. “Byeeee!” I wiggle my fingers at them in a way I think is cute but probably looks like I’m casting a spell.
Kai carries me up the stairs, each step punctuated by the steady thump, thump, thump of his heart against my cheek. I’m tempted to narrate it like a romantic audiobook but wisely stay quiet. Mostly.
When we reach the bedroom, Kai kicks the door open with unnecessary force and drops me onto the bed like a sack of potatoes. “Where are your pyjamas?” he asks, hands on his hips like a disapproving dad.
“Maybe I sleep naked,” I reply, twirling a strand of hair around my finger and giving him my best sultry look. Unfortunately, I’m lying flat on the bed like a starfish, so the effect is… questionable.
“Tess,” Kai growls, the warning clear. I grin up at him until he sighs, peels off his t-shirt, and chucks it at me. “Put this on.”
All I can focus on is his tanned, shirtless glory. My brain short-circuits. I want to lick him.
Kai freezes. “For fuck’s sake, Tess.”
“What?” I blink innocently.
“Don’t say things like that,” he mutters, scrubbing a hand over his face like he’s fighting for patience he doesn’t have.
“Oops,” I mumble, realising my mouth betrayed me.
Kai turns to leave, but I panic. “Wait! Stay with me! The bed’s big enough for both of us!”
He hesitates in the doorway, clearly weighing the pros and cons of putting up with my nonsense. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says.
“Come on,” I plead, rolling dramatically to one side of the bed and gesturing. “Look! I can sleep here”—I roll to the other side and immediately get tangled in the sheets—“and you can sleep here!”
Kai mutters, deadpan, “Yes, I’m aware of how beds work.”
“You don’t have to keep sleeping on the sofa. We’re grown-ups. We can share a bed,” I insist, trying to sound logical but probably coming off more like a drunk philosopher.
Kai stares at me for a long moment, sighs again, and mutters under his breath as he steps closer. “You’re exhausting.”
“Thank you,” I say sweetly, patting his side of the bed.
Kai
What the fuck was I thinking getting into bed with her?
I wasn’t thinking. Obviously. Or I wouldn’t be currently lying stiff as a board next to the woman who has my cock harder than a rock at every waking moment.
Tess is completely oblivious to my tumultuous thoughts. No—she’s snuggled under the blankets, her face a picture of serenity as she snores quietly, a little drool crusted on her chin.
She was asleep within a few minutes of me joining her. I’d gone into the bathroom to brush my teeth and came back to find her wearing the top I’d given her—and nothing but the top. The sight short circuited my brain and I had to force my expression to remain neutral.
I’m not sure how much longer I can resist her.
It’s been hours, and sleep is no closer to claiming me.
Tess turns in her sleep then a hand reaches out for me. She finds my chest then scoots even closer until she’s wrapped her body around mine. I stop breathing. Her scent is intoxicating, her form soft and warm against me.
I like it.
I want it.
I want… her.
After a moment's hesitation I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight, finally letting sleep claim me.