Page 40 of My Salvation

“If I was gonna look at naked men to look at you first.”

“Well?” Aiden said, glaring down at his mate.

“Well?” she demanded back, plucking at his shirt.

Snarling he pulled off his shirt. Meryn sighed happily. “I was right, unit warriors are the best.”

Behind Aiden the men had taken to comparing forearms and biceps, which led to impromptu handstand competitions and arm wrestling.

Cas sipped her beer smiling, gone was the dingy grey, it had been replaced with yellow for happiness and the vibrant grass green for excitement. She nodded. They would definitely need to add throw pillows in that color.

“Enough testosterone for you?” her mate asked, coming up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close so he could rest his chin on her head.

“Barely,” she teased.

“Were you that bored?”

“No, but they were. Everyone was grey, sliding toward blue. We needed to shake things up a bit,” she explained.

Priest kissed her hair. “You never cease to amaze me.”

Aiden stared. “This was for the men?”

She nodded. “Look at them now, Aiden.”

The Unit Commander looked out across the room where the men were laughing uproariously and forming friendly competitions. All the while their chests were puffed out and they were strutting.

Aiden shook his head. “I am beyond trying to understand the gifts you ladies bring us,” his expression turned pained. “Did you have to have them strip?”

“Of course not.”

His mouth dropped. “Then why?”

She shrugged. “Because it was more fun this way.”

Aiden pointed to her and Izzy. “Meryn, from now on stay away from those two.”

“Hell nah, we’re ride or die.”

Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose. “You are not ride or die.”

Men chanting had everyone turning.

Meryn’s eyes widened. “Is that Pip?”

Behind them, Nigel and Neil had floated a shirtless Pip above the crowd, and the small man was flexing for all he was worth.

Pip pointed to his arm. “This is what you need for cuddles,” he explained.

One of the men frowned. “I think you need something else besides that.” His friend elbowed him in the side causing him to gasp.

“Oh my god, I fucking love him so much,” Anne said, watching with a huge smile.

Meryn began hopping up and down. “Pip! Pip! Pip!” she cheered.

Pip seeing Meryn supporting him, held out both arms showing his tiny biceps. “You men need to do better if you ever want to be in charge of cuddles,” he lectured.

“Pip! Pip! Pip!” the men roared.

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