Grayson stepped forward, cupping my face in his rough palms as my eyes widened. He pressed his mouth to mine and on instinct, my eyes slid closed. I soaked in the attention and the soft feel of his lips pressed against mine. When he pulled away, stroking his thumb across my cheekbone as he did, hegrinned.
“Don’t worry, Babydoll,” he said. “You’ll see me againsoon.”
“I better,” I retorted as he dropped his hands and turned togo.
He chuckled as he left. I turned and wavered a bit on my feet. Knix reached out and caught me effortlessly. “You okay, Little Bit?” heasked.
Marv frowned and leaned forward, crowding me against Knix. “Are you drunk?” He sounded surprised, notangry.
“I’m not drunk,” I said, pinching my thumb and finger together, “just a little tipsy.” I shifted from foot to foot as I pressed back against Knix. “I may have gotten mad atGrayson.”
“So, you…what?” Marv blinked,confused.
“I grabbed a bottle of vodka out of his cabinets in the pool house and had a fewsips.”
He narrowed his gaze at me. “Just afew?”
I nodded sharply, raising my hand. “I promise—cross my heart.” I made the sign over the side of my chest where my heartresided.
Marv sighed, closing his eyes. “You’re going to drive us all mad, Sunshine,” hesaid.
I shrugged. “Sorry.” I wasn’t sorry. I kind of liked that I drove them crazy. It was a little revenge for how crazy they all droveme.
Marv opened his eyes and met Knix’s stare. “Take care ofher?”
Knix chuckled and scooped me up. “Always,” hepromised.
I blinked as Knix turned and began striding down the hallway. I glanced back at Marv over Knix’s shoulder, watching him grin back at me as we left. “Um…” I started. “I canwalk.”
Knix hummed in response but didn’t sayanything.
“I’m not drunk,” I pointed out. “I only had a little bit. We worked things out before it got toobad.”
"I know you're not, LittleBit."
"Oh." I circled my arms around his neck as he strode downstairs with me still in his arms. "Then why are you carrying me?" I asked. Not that I didn't like it, I did. Knix's size and strength always served to make me feel small and precious, but my confusion wouldn't let me disregard his actions in themoment.
"I like carrying you," hesaid.
"But..."
He chuckled, the sound a low rumble in his chest that echoed upwards. It made my bones shiver and goosebumps rise on my arms. "Maybe I just wanted to spend some alone time with you, Little Bit. Ever think ofthat?"
No, I hadn't. At least, not right now I hadn't. It was hard to think with his thickly muscled arms wrapped around me. I blushed as that thought crossed through myhead.
He noticed. "Harlow?" I burrowed into his chest, hiding myface.
"It's okay. It's nothing," I said quickly. "I guess, just take me to myroom."
Knix nudged the door to my bedroom open with the toe of his foot and carried me inside, striding to the bed and gently settling me down. I sighed and curled up against the softness of my comforter andpillows.
“It’s been a long day,” he said. “Bellamy’s making dinner tonight. Why don’t you rest and I’ll go check up on the others. Texas will probably be working on hacking that woman’s accounts for awhile.”
“Wait,” I said, sitting up as he moved back towards the closeddoor.
Knix paused and glanced over his shoulder as I bit my lip,debating.
“Um…will you…I mean, do you want to…” I bumbled my way through what I was trying to say as heat rose to my cheeks oncemore.