Page 72 of Hell and High Water

“Oh, yeah. We’re fine. Aside from me getting kicked in the face and Evan getting shot.”

“What?”

“It’s not that bad. Although, Gavin did have to stitch my arm. Sloppy shit, too. It's gonna leave a scar.”

“Oh, no!’ I mock, circling the bar to inspect the wound. “Not your perfect, immaculate body.”

All joking aside, I’m freaking out a little.

How dare anyone put a scratch on his perfect, immaculate body. That’s my body.

Evan grimaces at my taunting, tonguing the inside of his cheek.

“And you just weren’t going to tell me you got into a gun fight? Both of you. Couch. NOW.”

The catty urge to verbally spar with Evan is roiling through me, not five minutes of being back around him. He always knows just how to get me worked up.

And the jackass has the gall to smirk at me, like he can read my thoughts.

So I shift gears suddenly, throwing him off guard.

“And where the fuck have you been, by the way? I've been worried sick about you and I've been dying to see you. Not only that, but you also left me hanging after everything we went through, and I haven't seen you in weeks! Not even a trace. Not even a written message through Tell or Gav!” I jab my finger with each statement, driving him back until he hits the edge of the armchair. “Were you even sitting by my bedside, begging me to wake up?”

The final words are spoken softly, pure acid, and he drops back, sitting stiffly on the chair.

“I…” he starts, but I see the realization dawn in his eyes as he catches on to what I’m doing. “Very funny. I've been a little busy, if you hadn't heard. You know, running Sanctum Harbor?”

“Hmm. And that's clearly more important than coming to see your…” I stumble over the words, not knowing what we even are.

His eyes narrow instantly and he goes for the kill.

“My what? To come see my what, exactly, Hellena?”

I smile, composing myself. “Nice try.”

Flipping my hair right into his face, I spin, heading straight over to Gavin. The big lug is trying to hide his laughter and failing miserably. Laughter that abruptly stops when I press right up against his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down, biting his bottom lip and flicking his upper lip with my tongue.

With a soft huff of pleased laughter, he claims my mouth, taking what he wants.

I let it go on for way too long, savoring every second of Gavin’s soft lips, his prickly stubble tickling my chin. Finally, Evan scoffs, a little sniff of indignation as he slumps back in his chair.

I turn back, smirking. “What's wrong, feeling left out?”

“Who, me? Oh, no. By all means, continue.”

Gavin perks up. “Yeah! Please, let's continue.”

His enthusiasm makes me want to jump him, but I’m still feeling squirrely.

“You know, I would, but I really need to take a shower. The hike got me kind of sweaty, hot. I want to clean up.” I saunter toward the stairs, already tugging off my flannel and my undershirt as I go.

It takes everything I have to keep my legs from shaking slightly on the steps, but I manage, dropping my bra last as I turn and skip down the landing hallway to the bathroom.

The hot water is really calling my name, every muscle in my body feeling the soreness and strain of the last few days. Cranking it up, I wait until steam billows out of the shower before kicking off the rest of my clothes and stepping in.

Letting the scalding water relax me, I listen closely, waiting for what I absolutely know is coming.

Footsteps on the stairs.

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