Page 40 of Her Males

Charlie starts up another argument with Rock before storming out of her office. She pauses outside Gray’s, probably peering in on him and Aziel, before pattering my way. I lean back in my chair and wait for her to come, my pulse racing.

She pops her head in my doorway, probably making sure I’m not busy, before slinking inside. She holds her hands behind her back as she enters, taking her sweet time looking around before sitting in the chair opposite my desk.

Her eyes linger on the cleaning supplies that still clutter up the room. Gray was so proud of himself as he cleared out what was once our cleaning closet and turned it into Charlie’s office, but now both his and my offices contain random items he couldn’t find a home for.

I didn’t mind him putting the cleaning products in here when I thought it was a temporary solution, but I’m starting to realize he has no intention of cleaning it up.

They ruin my aesthetic, and I don’t want the chemical fumes damaging my books.

Not to mention how distracting it is to have shadows moving in and out whenever they need things. Some of the more daring ones even seem to find humor in it, chuckling to themselves as they notice my glaring.

“How’d your test go?” I ask, not wanting Charlie to know I was eavesdropping on her tutoring session.

“I got one question wrong, which Rock refuses to change, but other than that, I did well,” she says.

I lean forward and rest my chin on my palm. It takes everything in me not to tease her for her argument with Rock. Listening to her banter with him is amusing, especially when they speak about my kind.

“I want to take you on a lunch date,” I say.

Charlie’s expression brightens, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips as her pulse quickens. She’s only been on one date before, and Gray’s bright idea was to take her to a pool bar.

Where’s the romance in that?

“Where?” Charlie brings her hands together in an excited clap.

I pause before answering, unsure how well my idea will be received. Gray said it was a good idea, but I don’t want to disappoint.

“It’s a surprise,” I say, standing.

Charlie jumps up from her chair as I walk around my desk and hold out my hand. The shadows I sent out earlier promised to have everything completed by now.

I pull my hand back to my side when Charlie hesitates to grab it. I know she hates teleporting, but it should be easier with me. Gray’s not as experienced with it, so his teleportations are rougher on the body, but mine are smooth.

“Come here.” I chuckle, pulling her into my arms.

Charlie buries her face in my chest, no doubt bracing for the sickness I’m sure she’s convinced she’s going to feel, and I press a kiss to the top of her head before taking her to our spot.

The sound of birds chirping is the first thing that makes its way to my ears as I materialize, and I hope it’s loud enough for Charlie to hear as she grabs my biceps for balance. Her nails dig into the muscle, but it doesn’t hurt.

“Are you okay?” I ask, running my hands down the back of her head.

Her body loosens one muscle at a time, and I take great pleasure in how she looks up at me with evident relief. Slowly, she turns, her heart pounding as she takes in her surroundings.

I brought her to a small, secluded island in Wrath. I found it a few hundred years ago, and as far as I’m aware, I’m one of the only ones who know about it. It’s one of my favorite places to visit, and Charlie seems to enjoy it as she looks around with a slack jaw.

Her attention lingers on the lava pits surrounding the island before shifting to the sprawling trees behind us. I feel her skin to ensure the lava isn’t too hot for her, but she seems to be handling it well.

The actual lava is far away, but I know Charlie doesn’t do well with the heat. Many of her conversations begin with her complaining about how hot it is in Wrath.

“It’s a picnic,” I say, gesturing to the small table farther down the beach.

Charlie clears her throat. “This is amazing.”

She steps back into my chest and grabs my hands. Her fingers intertwine with my own before she moves to the table, dragging me behind her. I happily oblige, glad she likes what I’ve done.

Charlie smacks her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she peers at the food.

“These are the traditional dishes of my kind,” I explain, leaning over her shoulder.

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