Page 51 of Revive
“Doesn’t mean I want a second viewing.”
“Then I’ll wait.” He stopped the tap, then turned his back to the sinks and mirror.
“Is Spook all right?” she asked.
“Finish up whatever it is you’re doing, and you can check on him yourself.”
Right. She moved from the sink to the hand dryer. Chewed the inside of her cheeks as it filled the room with its engine-like roar. Then remained facing it once the air current cut out. “You know you were a right prick to me while he was missing.”
“I was in an awkward position.”
She turned, faced him. “I’m not saying it because I’m looking for an apology. I know what you’ve done for him, what you’re continuing to do. He wouldn’t be here without you. I wouldn’t be with the man I love if not for you. So, I’m grateful, but I can’t entirely ignore the prickles. And you were still a dick.”
“Okay. Not going to apologise. Had my reason. But, prickles? Because I’m still irritating as hell?”
She shook her head. “Don’t. You know perfectly well what I mean, Xane. You get the whole of him. I’m not sure I ever get more than about five eighths.”
He turned side on and looked her up and down. “You realise it’s not been that long, just a few weeks? Give it time. From where I’m standing, he’s opening up to you. The man’s smitten. And if you haven’t noticed, also pretty damned eager to prove exactly how into you he is. Or did I just imagine him fucking you in the arse in the studio?”
Alle took a swipe at him with the back of her hand. “You didn’t have to mention that. He keeps telling me that you’re a gentleman but where’s the fucking evidence?”
Xane threw his head back and laughed, then cursed when the tail ends of his hair wound up in the sink full of water. “You know I’m messing with you, right?”
“Well maybe I don’t like being messed with. Maybe we’re not good enough friends for you to mess with me like that.”
“Are we not?” He reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. Squeezed.
“Do you even like me?”
“Do I need to? And yes, actually, I do, even if you are a pain in the arse and made my life hell for the best part of nine months.”
She raised her shoulder in an attempt to shrug him off. Xane let his hand fall, but he caught and held her gaze. “Okay, look, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was a dick to you, and I’m sorry I joked about something that you’re sensitive about.”
“Thank you.”
“For the record though, it’s not something you need to feel awkward about. You’re an adult. He’s an adult. It was entirely consensual, and in case you forgot, I just let Luthor do the same to me. Not only that, you watched.”
Alle burned despite his reassurances. “And you didn’t?”
“Babe, I was flat on my back. The only thing I saw was Luthor exactly where I wanted him.”
“It was really hard not to look at you—”
“I like being looked at.”
“And, your groans were—”
“Perfect?” he suggested. “Spot on what you wanted?”
“Shameless,” she said. “And seriously sexy—”
That earned her a grin. “I should damn well hope so.”
“I’m worried what will happen if we put them on the track.”
“Frightened people might spontaneously combust?”
“Something like that. You might not want to play it live.”
