Page 3 of White Raven
“God,” Sarah scoffed, rolling her eyes. “And you were doing so well, too.” Athan snickered and nipped her bottom lip before pressing a chaste kiss to it.
“I could take you out?”
“Yeah, I don’t think we’ll have much luck with that. It’s Christmas morning.” She pulled her phone from the kitchen counter and swiped it open.
“You’re not gonna force me to eat pizza again for my sins, are you?” Athan asked, palming his stomach.
“Ha!” Sarah laughed, pressing the phone to her ear. “Not this time. I’m gonna see if Rhaena’s up. We both know there’s an abundance of shit at her place. Wren might already be over there.” Athan pulled her closer and trailed his mouth down the column of her neck. Distraction. He was trying to give her a thousand reasons to stay home. It almost worked, but Rhaena answered on the third ring.
“If neither one of you are dying, I’m gonna have to call you back,”Rhaena answered, muffled sounds scruffing against the other end of the line.
“Happy Christmas to you too.”
“Sarah…I’m not kidding—Brand—”She could hear light snickering, and breathy sounds. Sarah grinned.“What is it?”Rhaena huffed.
“Are you being aho ho ho?” Sarah chuckled, earning one from Athan as well while he scraped his teeth across the skin of her neck.
“Trying and being—oh my God…are two different things.”
“Are you riding Brandon’s North Pole?” Athan laughed. Sarah’s laugh exploded from her mouth.
“Both of you can fuck off. And tell Athan he’s never been funny.”
“You wound me, partner,” Athan grinned.
“Is there a reason for this torture?”
“Yeah, Blood Daddy tried his hand at breakfast. We’re coming to raid your kitchen.”
“You knew better. He still has a key. Please drive slow.”
“See you in a few,” Sarah laughed, hanging up.
Athan finally raised his face to hers, taking her left hand and staring down at it between them. “You gonna tell them? Or would you rather keep it to ourselves for a while?”
“I’m not taking it off, if that’s what you mean. If they ask, then they just do. I really don’t see any reason to keep it to ourselves unless you just want to.”
“Why would I want that? If they didn’t already know you’re mine…they sure as fuck will now.” His smirk was sultry.
“Did Rhaena know you had this?” Sarah asked, turning the ring around her finger.
“No. The only person that knew was the jeweler.”
The smoke from the kitchen curled around her hand, making the large red stone seem hauntingly beautiful. “It’s incredible. It really is.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I told you. Just as rare and beautiful as you are.”
“What is this life?” she whispered, smiling.
“Well,” Athan smiled softly, pulling back. “Only one way to find out, yeah? I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too.”
He kissed her, and went to go change while Sarah fed Poe and put him back in his cage, cracking a window to air out the smell of charred eggs from the apartment. Something was off about the large bird today. He seemed edgier than usual. He danced up and down on his legs and made irritated sputtering noises at her.
“What’s the matter, handsome?” Sarah soothed, reaching a finger through the bars and stroking his breast. He nibbled at her fingertip. There was a gurgled sound that came from him that almost sounded like—“What?” she whispered, leaning in. He did it again, this time a little clearer. Sarah’s eyes widened. “Athan!” Sarah opened his cage and reached inside for him, allowing him onto her wrist and bringing him out. Athan shrugged on his jacket and stepped around the bed.
“What’s wrong?”
