Page 139 of Chasing Shelter

Trace tensed at my side. “If you made it, it probably needs a triple-X warning.”

“Chief, be nice,” I chastised.

Lolli waved me off. “I’m used to this stick-in-the-mud, but I’m counting on you to loosen him up a little.”

“I’m trying, Lolli. Trust me.” I ripped into the paper, trying to get to the artwork below.

“I can’t wait to see this one,” Holt murmured. “But I’m not sure anything can beat diamond donut dicks.”

I laughed as the paper fell away, leaving an explosion of color. Across the canvas was a huge rainbow with various flying creatures that mirrored the mural I’d created. But below it was an array of mushrooms in various shapes and sizes, all with a distinctly phallic bent.

“Lolli,” I croaked as laughter caught in my throat.

“You have to admit. Their tips just kind of ask for this sort of treatment,” Lolli said with a grin.

“Magic mushroom dicks,” Holt muttered.

Lolli turned to him. “Have you explored the world of psychedelics much? They can really amp up sexual escapades.”

“Lolli,” Trace warned.

“You can’t haul me away, popo,” Lolli shot back. “You might be part ofThe Manbut I’m well within my legal rights.”

Holt tried to cover his laugh with a cough. “I’m bringing Wren with me next time. I need her to see Lolli in action.”

“For the love of God, let thatnext timebe because you’re on vacation,” Trace muttered.

“Deal,” Holt said.

I lifted the canvas, making it catch the light. “Thank you for my beeeeautiful diamond painting, Lolli. I’m going to hang it over the mantel.”

Trace groaned, but Lolli beamed and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Have I told you lately that you’re my favorite?”

“I’m telling the sibs,” Trace said, sounding affronted.

“Buzzkill,” she shot back.

I laughed full-out for the first time since I’d found the pictures in my mailbox. And damn, it felt good.

“Marry me.”Walter’s lips twitched as he flung the towel to rest on his shoulder.

“No.” Lolli’s face screwed up in annoyance.

“Marry me,” he said, not deterred in the slightest.

“I told you, you old coot,no. Are you losing your hearing along with your brains?”

Walter shot me a sly smile as I poured a coffee refill into a mug. “I love it when she gets feisty,” he murmured.

“I’d be careful,” Thea said as she restocked baked goods following the breakfast rush. “Lolli’s been taking lessons at Kye’s gym.”

Lolli took up a fighting stance that looked nothing like the things Kye had taught me. “Damn straight. Cross me, and I’ll take you out.” Her hand sliced through the air like some bad kung fu movie.

“You know,” Walter began, “I could be a hell of a sparring partner.”

Lolli straightened, lifting her chin. “You can’t keep up with me. I’m training to take down that Mateo fella.”

I nearly choked as I set the coffee pot back in place. “Mateo the professional fighter?”

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