Page 33 of Hell and High Water

I have so much I want to say, so much I want to ask.

But more than that, I just want to look at him, touch him, kiss him, hold him, and I want him to make me laugh. I need a little bit of levity after everything that's been going on. He’s pure joy, and I need a dose of it, STAT!

Wrapping myself in a towel I’m halfway to my room when the door downstairs opens, slamming shut a second later. I’m dashing for the stairs a second after that.

“TELL!” I dive off the third step. “I’ve missed you!”

“Hellen—AH!” He yelps, catching me and spinning me around like I weigh nothing. Just like Gavin and Evan, Tell knows exactly how to make me feel impossibly sexy and wanted.

Not that there’s ever been a question of whether he did.

Ever since I met Tell, he’s wanted every inch of my curvaceous body, putting so many of my insecurities to rest.

It doesn’t hurt that Tell is unbelievably tall, holding me a full foot off the floor. Fucking. Hot.

Don’t ask me why.

I feel him inhale, breathing me in.

“Sorry, my hair's still soaked. “

“It's okay, I don't care. Soak me!”

“Only if you promise to soak me back,” I purr into his neck, nipping at his skin and licking his ear. He laughs, setting me down and backing away.

His emerald eyes explore me, check me over head to toe before he dives in for a kiss, a soft moan slipping out of both of our lips as an electric zap shocks through me, down to my core and back.

The kiss is long, deep, and chock full of everything each of us wants to say.

Tell is like a buzz I can ride the entire time I’m with him, ever since the first minute we met at that stupid fucking frat party. He’s intoxicating.

After a few more seconds, he lets me go, letting me guide him to the couch. I flop down, curling into his chest and grumbling a series of happy sounds.

“Careful Tell, she’s turning into a cat. All she wants to do is snuggle, eat, and she spends all her time naked.” Gavin makes his way downstairs fully clothed, making me realize I'm still wrapped in my towel. Shivering slightly, I drag the throw blanket over my legs.

“Just in time for my return!” Tell cheers, chuckling, rubbing my skin under the covers.

Gavin growls a little in frustration, clearly as disappointed at not having a chance to have me right now. I’ll have to make it up to him.

In the meantime, I bask in the glow of being around not one, but two of my favorite people.

This is more than a desire. I need both of them near me. With me.

My heart can’t take it.

Who am I kidding? This is heaven!

“Tell me everything!” I demand.

“There’s so much. And also not that much, unfortunately.” The second statement is more for Gavin, who sits across from us on the armchair.

“Everything’s still quiet?”

“Sort of. I can’t seem to get much from my usual sources. One thing is for sure… city hall and the Sinful are MIA. Sanctum is on a fast track to full meltdown.”

The news creases my forehead, souring my mood just a touch.

“We predicted that might happen…” Gavin mutters.

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