Page 65 of Laid Bare

I should be embarrassed by the over display of my runes, but I’ve started coming to terms with them and the fact that everyone can see them. Now they’re just another facet of my body.

The heels of my black ankle boots tap a rhythm across the floor as I pace back and forth, nibbling the skin around my nail.

Gods. I’m so nervous. And I don’t even know why. I’m just going out with my mates and my bodyguards.

Hell, I wasn’t even this damn nervous before we went to the gala.

My mood visibly deflates at the thought of the night that fucked up my life.

“Nope. None of that.” Bane pulls my hand away from my mouth, rubbing his fingers over the red and torn skin around my nail. “Whatever you’re thinking about, throw it away. It doesn’t exist. Especially on a day like today.”

“Do you know where we’re going?”

“I do, and so does Zane. You’ll enjoy it, I promise.”

“And if I don’t?” I raise my brows. I’m goading him. I know I am, but the shock on his face makes me smile. “How are you going to make it up to me?”

Damn. Where the hell did this brazen side of me come from?

“Uhh… well…” He flicks his eyes away from me and back and flexes his wings. “Oh look, they’re here.”

“Wait… what?” A knock thumps on the door, and Bane takes off at the sound, throwing it open and ushering my guys in in a bid to avoid my question.

Lucky fucker. Saved by the door, literally.

Luka’s the first to reach me, cupping my cheeks and tilting my face up to his. “Damn, goddess. You’re a vision today.” His lips descend on mine, all tongue and teeth, nipping, licking, and sucking like he’s been in the desert for forty days and I’m the first drink of water he’s had.

Warmth pools in my belly, and I clutch his navy shirt, dragging him closer until there’s not a single inch of space between us. He’s all solid muscle and hard planes, and I can feel every ridge of abs against my peaked nipples.

A throat clears in amusement, and Luka pulls away, resting his forehead against mine. “Gods, I missed you.”

“I missed you, too, Lu.”

“What about me? Did you miss me too?” Axel’s words make me giggle.

“Always, vampy.”

“Mmm, just what I like to hear.” My vampire clutches my wrist and pulls me away from my demi-god, dragging me against his lithe body, finishing the scorching kiss Luka started.

By the time he releases me, my skin is flushed, my panties are damp, and I’m seriously considering canceling whatever outing they have planned for us and continuing this in my bedroom.

Before I can put that suggestion out in the world, Axel checks his watch with a grimace. “We need to get going or we’ll be late. Do you have everything?”

“I think so. I have no clue where we’re going, so you’ll have to tell me.”

“As long as you have your ID, you’re good.”

“Check.” I grab the little black bag from the coffee table and put it on my shoulder. “What about my clothes? Am I overdressed? Underdressed? Godsdammit, this is why I don’t like surprises,” I grumble, tugging at my sweater.

“Don’t let her fool you,” Zane interjects from the doorway of his room before they can say anything. “She’s been excited all week; it’s just now that it’s time to go that she’s worried.”

Zane shoots me a smug grin, not reacting to the double birds I flip him for giving away my excitement.

Stupid demon.

“You shush, or I’ll tell them about the air fryer.”

Horror overtakes his features, his dark eyes darting back and forth between me and my mates standing behind me. Then he shrugs his shoulders, like it’s no big deal.

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