Page 92 of Lost Girl

"How much of that conversation did you hear?" I rasp, holding a hand to my chest.

In my sister's words, and I quote, "’Because T doesn't stand for Tavi. It stands for trouble,’" he answers.

Oh, thank God.

I plan to tell him, I just don’t know when, much less how.

"Well, it's true.” Tigerlily rises to full height and squares up with her brother. “You’re a grown ass man and that still hasn’t changed.”

Unfazed by her jab, Tavi simply flicks the tip of her nose. "What I want to know iswhywas my name in your mouth? Gossiping about me, were you?"

“No.” She tosses a fist into his bicep. "I was telling her not to fuck with you."

Only a hiccup of silence falls between them as he gives herthatlook. "You did not."

"She did," I chime, pushing onto my feet.

Tavi’s stare bounces from me to his sister and back again several times before he grits out a nettled, "Lil..."

"Oh, relax." I roll my eyes at him. "It was cute, okay? She’s just looking out for you."

"I'll get you back one day, and it's going to be a helluva lot worse for whatever asshole thinks he's going to have it easy with you," he warns, narrowing Tigerlily’s eyes.

"You better not."

"Oh, lil' sis, but I am.” A wicked grin lights up his face. “You just initiated war."

Crossing her arms, she leans into him and lifts her chin proudly. “I was just looking out,big bruh.Don't be dumb." Then she’s storming away after that, heading back in the direction of the village.

"I'm gonna be dumb, fair warning!" he hollers at her departing form, voice echoing. Once she’s out of bounds, his gaze falls on me, steely yet uneasy. "She didn’t really tell you that, did she?"

"Sure did." I nod, barely curbing another bout of laughter.

He’s not amused, though. Tavi sighs exasperatedly, rubbing a hand down the back of his head as he watches her tread further and further away.

“Hey.” Reaching out for him, I latch onto his wrist and pull him toward me. "It’s fine, really. I knew she would eventually. If it helps, she wasn’t overbearing about it in the slightest."

"She has no right prying," he grits.

"You’re her brother. She kind of does," I reply humorously, but again, he doesn’t seem to see the adorable amusement of it all.

"Why are you siding with her?"

"Because if I had a brother like you, I would want only the best for him, too."

His flummoxed expression softens dramatically, spurring him into action. Arms circling around my waist, he urges me closer, head dipping low beside my ear. "Okay but, youarethe best, so what's the problem?"

This man.

Locking my arms around his neck, I don’t bother trying to hide the smile tickling my lips. "Who taught you to be such a smooth talker?"

"Me, myself, and I. It's a gift, really," he purrs, stroking gently beneath my chin, a subtle action that lures me toward his lips.

"So cocky,” I chide. “You continue to surprise me."

"Confident—not cocky." He grins, luring me closer still.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from the Alpha."

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