“Can I walk from here?” I asked as soon as he landed.
He grunted and let me down. The fey carrying the bag handed it over to Azio.
“Thank you for your help today,” I said, taking a moment to look each of them in the eye.
They nodded in return, and each wandered off their own separate ways. In the growing shadows between the nearby houses, more fey moved. So many fey.
“Are you sure you want to walk?” Groth asked.
I took a calming breath and nodded, giving my two companions a small smile.
“I’m safe.”
I repeated that to myself every time my nerves tweaked on the way home and forced myself to look up as much as possible and either nod or smile to passersby. It was a relief when I was finally safely inside the house once more.
“If I ever want to do that again, remind me how much I didn’t like it, okay?” I said, removing my shoes.
“Did you find what you wanted?” Azio asked.
“I did. Thank you.”
“I will make us something to eat,” Groth said, moving away.
I watched him for a moment, feeling slightly guilty. I liked Groth. He was just as kind as Azio. After seeing Azio’s size today, I would be so much wiser to change my mind and make a play for Groth instead. But—I shifted my gaze to Azio, who watched me—Groth didn’t call to me. Something about Azio did.
“How is your shoulder?” I asked. “I saw you were bitten. Do you want Cassie to look at it?”
“No. It will heal.”
This was my perfect opening. A reason to get him alone and talk to him. My stomach twisted anxiously. I could do this.
“Come on.”
I held out my hand. His gaze swept from my face to my peace offering. He wrapped his hand in mine, taking a large breath at the contact, and waited for me to make the next move.
Trying not to tremble, I led him upstairs to the bathroom. The snick of the door closing sounded loud in the silence.
“I will heal,” he said when I pointed to the toilet seat.
“I know. But I’d still like to help. You were bitten keeping me safe. Take off your shirt and let me at least disinfect it.”
He grunted and sat. I collected the peroxide and gauze, then hesitated, glancing at myself in the mirror. Yes, disinfecting wasn’t really paying him back in kind for what he’d done. And I wasn’t sure it would send the message that I cared either since it tended to sting. I thought of the see-through shirt I wore under the blue one I was looking at.
I warred with myself for a few seconds before setting everything down and pulling the top t-shirt over my head. My nipples puckered at the lack of warmth, calling even more attention to my very visible chest through the transparent yellow top.
Azio didn’t make a sound when I turned, and his gaze remained locked on my breasts as I moved toward him.
“Put your hands on my waist,” I said. “It’ll loosen the skin on your shoulder a little.” The explanation hadn’t been necessary to obtain his willingness. He’d grabbed me as soon as I’d said waist. But I gave it anyway so he’d understand I wasn’t asking for a grope session.
He held still, not looking away once while I dabbed his wound and watched it bubble up.
“Does it hurt?” I asked.
“Yes,” he rasped.
“I’m sorry. I really appreciate what you did, though.” He didn’t respond, and I took a moment to pep-talk myself.
“I can’t thank you and Groth enough for taking me in and letting me stay with you. It’s clear you’re both hoping for something more with me. And I have to be honest. I’m hoping for something more too.”