Arctic’s subtly spicy scent filled my lungs until every breath was him, and my fingers trembled on the keys. As we played, he relaxed until his chest pressed to my back, so it felt like he molded himself to me. His knee eased the awkwardness of his stance, resting on the bench by my hip. Matty didn’t seem to mind the distance it put between us, and I wondered if he moved to invite Arctic to rest it there. Slowly Arc’s heat soaked into my body until I feared I would freeze if he moved away and took his warmth with him.
Once the song ended, I trembled while Arctic’s fingers relaxed, so his hands lay on mine, causing the warm tingles to intensify while they danced across my skin. Chuckling, the fox shifter pressed a kiss to my temple, and a shiver raced through my veins. “Easy, Angel,” he whispered in my ear, smirking while his lips brushed my skin. He knew what he was doing to me, and I was helpless to do anything other than accept it. “You played beautifully, and our audience grew by a few.”
Shock broke the spell he wove, and Arc straightened to allow me to look at the balcony only to discover thirteen vampires watching us. “Pity,” one newcomer murmured, “you had her quite ensnared, Arctic.”
“True, but that’s no way to live,” Arc sighed, his words vibrating through his chest to my back. “Decisions should be made with a clear head.”
“Yes, but you’re the most intoxicating,” another vampire chuckled with a slight smirk. Snorting, Arctic offered his hand to help me stand. Swallowing nervously, I took it, and he effortlessly pulled me to my feet. He didn’t let go, and I gulped while my fingers tingled. My soul, however, thrummed with happiness because I touched the fox shifter.
“All the more reason to not push my advantage,” Arctic replied while staring into my eyes. With my cheeks heating, I glanced at my feet and shivered. “Besides, the only reason you like it is you adore anything that screws Ryker.” The vampire laughed so hard he nearly fell backward off the balcony, and something deep within me relaxed. Raising my gaze, I meet Arc’s eyes, and he smiled with a gentleness that calmed the nerves plaguing my soul. Cupping my cheek, Arctic chuckled and murmured, “you’re not a game to be won. Ryker and I won’t treat you like you are, although we might get competitive. Still, you’re a gorgeous young lady, not an object to be owned.” These tingles were comforting, and I wondered if Arctic could control them. If so, he was a jerk for tormenting me like this.
“Thank you for realizing that?” I asked hesitantly, and Tyger burst out laughing, which eased the tension filling the room. Still, I wanted to nuzzle into his palm and snuggle as close to his chest as I could.
“Oh, Angel,” Tyger laughed, pulling me away from Arctic to throw an arm around my shoulders. “I adore you. But, come, let’s give Arc a little time to get his hormones under control, and leave these losers behind. Damn vamps, always showing up uninvited to the party.” The watching vampires catcalled the shifter who grinned devilishly with delight dancing in his eyes. Laughing, I relaxed to lean into his side, offering Matty my free hand, which he grabbed with a delighted smile. Snow chortled, following us with a shake of her head.
We returned to the kitchen where a grinning chef handed me a bowl of chili that smelled divine. My mouth watered, and I hurried to the kitchen island to eat, laughing at Matty, who did the same. Tyger and Snow joined us, with Snow snickering upon seeing us trying to eat too fast and breathing like dragons to get cool air in our mouths. “Hawt,” Matty and I explained when Tyger shook his head.
“Well, they definitely like chili,” Snow commented with a laugh.
“Yeah, Liam and I smelled it on Matty’s breath when we picked him up,” Tyger agreed with a chuckle. “I mentioned it to the chef in hopes it might make them feel better.” Matty rolled his eyes, as did I, and we ignored the shifters in favor of eating the spicy bowl of deliciousness. Once we finished, the chef placed several cookies in front of me, and a brownie loaded with fudge and chocolate sauce for Matty. I eyed the plate of chocolate dubiously, thankful the vampires and shifters ran fast. They would need every ounce of speed to keep up with my baby brother. The kid got hyper when he had sugar, let alone chocolate.
Still, I was happy to see Matty enjoying his favorite dessert. For me, that’s way too much chocolate. It coats your tongue, and all you can taste is the bitterness of it rather than the sweet you’re used to. Bleh. But, if it hit the spot for someone else, all the power to them. Once I finished my cookies, I laughed because chocolate covered Matty’s face. It looked like he picked up his brownie and rubbed it around his mouth like a napkin. I knew he didn’t, but it was an amusing image.
Chuckling, I told my smug little brother to follow me so we could clean his face. He didn’t protest which surprised me. Humming, Matty skipped beside me while we forged down the hall to a different bathroom than the one I used the other day. That one felt cursed to me, and I didn’t want to risk triggering any memories. It didn’t take too long for Matty to scrub the chocolate off, albeit I supervised to make sure he didn’t turn the
