Page 74 of Shut Up and Bite Me

Besides, I have a surprise up my own sleeve.

“I suppose we do have one more announcement,” she swoons and hold her hand in the air, showing off her ring.

Ooos and ahhs ripple through the room as they congratulate us. Endless hugs going around.

My fingers brush against the thin pantyhose just beneath her brown suede skirt as she crosses in front of me. I’ve torn so many pairs apart that she started buying the ones that are thigh-high, secured in place by a garter belt.

She looks good today. I mean, fuck, she looks perfect every day. But her hair up in that sexy loose bun and those long legs are calling out my name.

We say our goodbyes and Vivian squeezes my hand tightly, and I know she can tell exactly what I’m thinking or rather feeling. And I don’t try to hide it in the slightest.

We wander down the hallway and out of the first secured door we pass through.

“Holy shit. I think that’s…” I pause, studying the guy across the lobby before calling out, “Ethan!”

He whips around, his face lighting up as his gaze lands on us. He jogs over to us. “Greyson, what’s up?”

Dropping my stare to Vivian, I smirk. “Just stopping in for a few things. What have you been up to?” It dawns on me that we are standing in the Barlowe, the place we first met. “Wait, what are you doing here?”

He chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “About that…I, umm, met someone.”

Listening to his heart, it’s pounding in his chest, his breathing kicking up. “Oh yeah, who’s the lucky girl?”

His freckled cheeks flush. “Well, you actually know her?—”

A sweet, familiar voice calls out from behind us, cutting him off. “There are you!”

Ava.

Lightly slapping Ethan’s shoulder, I scoff. “You could have told me you’re seeing Ava. I should have known, honestly.”

“Yeah?” He laughs. “With all your new Spidey senses?” He scoffs, mocking me playfully.

“Yeah, exactly with those.” I smile as Ava walks up to us, sliding her arm around Ethan’s waist as he throws his arm around her shoulders. “You guys look good together.”

“That is the sweetest compliment.” Ava swoons, her hand pressing against her heart.

“After everything with Victor, she helped me get through the aftermath.” Panic spreads in him at the mention of his attacker. “She kept me sane.”

“Good. But you know, Ava, I’ve become rather protective of Ethan here,” I tease. “Remember your motto.”

Ava rolls her eyes and dismisses me. “Don’t be ridiculous. I would never hurt Ethan.”

Her heart rate is steady, and she means every word. “I know you won’t.”

She glares at me. “Don’t tap into my emotions. I think I liked you better when you didn’t have your abilities.”

Vivian bursts out laughing. Tugging her hand, I pull her along with me, waving at Ava and Ethan as we stride away. “We will catch you guys later. Ethan, call me if she gives you any trouble.”

He nods, side-eyeing Ava, and I would be concerned if I couldn’t feel the happiness radiating off him.

“You want to be on the council, right? Not just because I put you on the spot in front of a room full of people?” Vivian asks me as we cross through the foyer and descend down the stairs outside.

“You overestimate your peer pressure skills, love,” I joke, and she glares up at me through her lashes. “Of course I want to be a part of it. The work that you do is important. It makes a real difference in the world.”

Her shoulders relax, and she grins. “Okay, I was just checking.” She gasps. “Oh, we need to get you some custom suits made. Ugh, you are going to look so goddamn good in a suit.”

“You can play dress-up with me all day long, baby.” I throw my arm around her shoulders and pull her into my side. “Now, let’s go home. I’m starving, and I’m sure you could use a little pick-me-up.”

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