Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 142050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
The silence that followed was a reminder that, however hard a night Qhuinn had been thinking he’d had… it was nothing compared to what was going on under this roof.
He went over and they kissed briefly. Then he stepped back to give the guy some space.
“Ah, so, Simone just left.” Blay shut off the water by putting the heel of his hand on the faucet arm. “She’s really good with Mahmen. So patient. So unhurried, even though she must have been coming to the end of a long shift.”
Pulling out one of the stools at the counter, Qhuinn moved slowly. Blay seemed like he was going to startle at the slightest unexpected anything.
“She’s really good, yeah.”
“I gave my father a grocery list.” Blay nodded at the door that led out into the garage. “He said he needed something to occupy himself with. Neither one of us has felt like eating tonight, but it was the only thing I could think of that seemed even remotely appropriate. You want some coffee?”
Those familiar eyes were imploring as they looked up, like he was also begging for something, anything, to do.
“That would be great.”
“And if you happen to be hungry, I can make you some—” He went over and opened the refrigerator. “Well, there’s not much, but I can do eggs and toast?”
“I don’t have much of an appetite, either. But I could use a coffee.”
Blay went right to work, heading to the Keurig on the other counter and taking a fresh mug from the cupboard above even though he’d just washed the other two. In a little wicker basket, there was an assortment of K-Cups to choose from, but Qhuinn didn’t need to point out that he liked the Dunkin’ dark roast the best. His mate knew all of his preferences.
With the machine set, there was a burbling and the scent of the coffee bloomed. Then came the little bit of sugar and the tinkling as the common stirring spoon did a couple of circles before it was tapped on the rim and put back down on a spotted paper towel.
Blay came back over, rounding the island and offering the steaming mug.
As things changed hands, Qhuinn murmured, “This is delicious. Thanks.”
“You haven’t tasted it yet.”
“Don’t have to. You make mine perfect—”
With a quick surge, Blay leaned and pressed his lips to Qhuinn’s properly. “I’ve missed you,” he said in a voice that cracked.
Qhuinn reached up and cupped the male’s nape, keeping them close as he kissed his hellren back in a way that lingered. When they eased apart a little, he nodded.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
Talk about understatements. A couple of real kisses and his balls were aching for a release, his fangs descending, his arousal instantaneous behind the zipper of his leathers. But it wasn’t just sex for him. He also wanted to fall asleep with the male against his chest, like they usually did—and wake up with the same closeness. Their apartment back at the Wheel was cold and lonely, no matter how much he turned up the heat and how many movies or TV series he played in the background while he tried to get a little rest.
FFS, it was like he was turning into Lassiter, the way he’d been binge-watching ancient shows like The Office and Schitt’s Creek.
But here was the thing. He wasn’t bringing any of that shit up. He knew Blay felt the same absences he did. The guy was just missing all that at the same time he was watching his mahmen die by inches. Plus there were things to talk about—like, whether their daughter was dating a human, and what that meant for her.
News traveled fast in the family.
And oh, God, he just didn’t have the energy to worry about that right now.
Blay went back over to the Keurig and took the used pod out of the top. “Simone says we don’t have much time.”
Qhuinn took a sip of the coffee. And yup, it was absolutely perfect. “What does that mean?”
“Days, maybe. She’s sleeping more and more.”
“Do you want me to step off the schedule and stay here with—”
“No, don’t do that. I know… you’ll always come if I call. When… I call. But with what’s going on with Wrath? The Brotherhood needs you.”
“You need me, too.”
“And I have you.”
As a mixture of relief and guilt hit him, Qhuinn closed his eyes briefly. Work, even with all its chaos and danger—maybe especially because of all that—had been a kind of salvation. Granted, it was a double-edged sword, as part of his mind was always back here. But the shit recalibrated him, and made it so he was better able to deal with what was happening to the elder Lyric.
“Do you think we should call the twins?” he asked his mate. “Have them come today?”
Blay tossed the K-Cup in the recycling and walked across to the bank of windowpanes that looked out over the backyard.