“Perhaps the nerve spell was meant for me,” Chaos said. “My presence in your coven threatened him.”
Ember shook her head. “I still don’t think he’d resort to murder.”
“Maybe he thought he was protecting us.” I collected our empty mugs and stood. “Sitting here speculating won’t solve our problems. Let’s get dressed and go find him.”
She looked at her phone and frowned. “You’re right. I’ll hit the shower and meet you in the kitchen to restock the travel kit.”
I set the mugs in the sink. “Sounds like a plan.”
Ember disappeared down the hall, and Chaos joined me in the kitchen. “I will wash these. You go shower.”
“What’s this? No offers to wash my back?” I playfully poked his stomach. I might as well have poked granite.
He brushed my hair away from my forehead, tucking it behind my ear. “Nothing would please me more, but if I joined you in the shower, we would be there all day.”
“That sounds like paradise.”
“Indeed.” He stroked his thumb down my cheek before turning to the dishes. “Go. I will be here.”
I wiped the dreamy look from my eyes and strode to my bedroom. Now was not the time to go cuckoo for Chaos, but damn it felt nice to be appreciated. I twisted the knob and pushed the door open, hanging back in the hall. My magic-revealing spell showed Shade’s hex had dissipated. Only a few sparkles clung to the floor where he’d dropped the bottle, so I went in, careful to avoid that spot.
I gathered Chaos’s clothes and set them on the quick wash cycle before hopping in the shower. It was done by the time I got out, so I wrapped a towel around myself and padded down the hall to the laundry room to transfer them to the dryer.
“Mmm…” Chaos stood by my bedroom, enough heat in his eyes to melt my panties right off if I were wearing any. “I suggest you get dressed before my instincts take over and I ravish you.”
My, oh my, wouldn’t that be fun?
“Oh, for Hecate’s sake.” Ember stepped into the hall, drying her hair with a towel. “We’ve got shit to do.”
I couldn’t help but grin as I tiptoed past him into my room. “Give me three minutes.” I closed the door and threw on a pair of black leggings, a long-sleeved shirt, and my favorite corset. Reaching behind my back, I clutched the ribbons and pulled, tightening it around my waist before tying them.
When I opened the door, I found Chaos waiting patiently, my sister glaring at him. “Come on.” I motioned for him to enter before smirking at Ember. “We’ve got shit to do.”
My demon strode inside, dropping his clothes to the floor on his way to the bathroom. Yes, I stood there watching him strip. Hey, if he didn’t want me to, he’d have closed the door. Good thing I had enough self-control for us both because the temptation to follow his tight, round butt into the shower had me licking my lips.
I scooped up this set of clothes and threw them into the washer. “Why didn’t you buy him more clothes?”
Ember crossed her arms. “I didn’t expect things to be this complicated.”
“Neither did I.” After putting on my boots, I joined her in the kitchen to restock the spell kit. I mixed a binding potion and bottled it, pursing my lips. “I expect he’ll be belligerent and need to be held down to reason with him. I don’t think this is the spell for that. He won’t remember anything.”
“Pack it anyway, just in case.” Ember refilled the bottle of peppermint oil. “Maybe your new molasses spell?”
“I haven’t tested it on anyone’s memory, but it’s worth a shot.” I mixed the ingredients and bottled them.
“I assume, since we have shit to do, you don’t plan on me remaining naked?”
I snapped my head up to find Chaos standing across the counter, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. I tried not to react. I really did, but a whimper emanated from my throat against my will.
Ember sighed hard, and I cleared my throat. “Check the dryer. Actually, here. I need to move the wet ones over.”
I tried not to look at his abs as I passed him and headed to the laundry room. The dryer had a minute left on the timer, but that was just cool-down time, so it would be fine. I couldn’t handle a minute more of his bare pecs. I grabbed the clothes and shoved them at his chest.
He chuckled. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Why the hell was my throat so dry? “Shoo. Get dressed in my room.” I motioned for him to go away because if he dropped his towel right there, I might drop to my knees. Woof.
Thankfully, he obeyed. I moved the rest of his clothes to the dryer and returned to the kitchen and Ember’s judging gaze.