CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Scottie

Icould get very used to nights like this. I’m lying on Tucker’s chest, my entire body limp as my limbs starfish on the bed. My head is turned to one side to rest my cheek on Tucker’s muscled pec and the rapid thumping of his heart makes me smile.

That was a workout.

The sheets are pulled up to cover our legs and my butt, but other than that, we’re still gloriously bare after our bath and bath aftermath.

Warm hands trail lazy swirls over my bare back as Tucker drags in a long, slow breath and exhales a sigh of contentment.

He strokes my hair, and I close my eyes. “I should get cleaned up. I’m dripping cum all over you.”

The throaty groan that earns me tingles in all the most delicious places. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

“It’s a messy thing.”

His quiet laughter jiggles me where I lay. “I’m not afraid to get messy.”

Tucker shifts from stroking my hair to wrapping it around his hand and giving a gentle tug to lift my head to meet his kiss. Our tongues dance in a sensual play for dominance, but neither of us cares who will win.

My phone buzzes against the surface of my bedside table and I groan, both from the interruption and his talented mouth.

“Do you need to get that?” Tucker’s voice is deep and the vibration in his chest calls a wave of warm heat to my core.

“I wish I could say no, but…” I sigh and roll off him, reaching for my phone.

Tucker rolls with me and presses up against me in the most erotic spooning a woman could hope for. Mmm…this man. Tempted to toss my phone, I force myself to check the incoming notification. It’s from Zane:

Meeting with the Queen of Shedim at Donor Watch. Coming?

“Well, look at that.” I hold my phone so Tucker can see the message. “He’s including me in his outing plans twice in one night instead of running off half-cocked into danger with Huntley. He’s finally got the message, and it sunk in.”

“He owns his past mistakes and is making amends.”

“He is.”Finally.

I guide my fingers over the screen and text him back.

Meet you in the garage in five.

I twist back to give Tucker one last kiss and then roll off the bed and hunt around for my clothes. “Do you want to help me track down some rogues or stay here and catch up on your own stuff?”

His caramel eyes sparkle. “What? And miss the chance to see you in action again? Wouldn’t dream of it.”

His tone is playful, but the thing is, Tucker enjoys watching me be me. He tries not to step in. He tries not to ‘alpha’ thesituation. He believes in my ability to get things done and take care of myself.

That is so incredibly refreshing.

We dress quickly—me in black tactical pants and a fitted long-sleeve, him in dark jeans and a henley that hugs his broad chest in all the right ways. Five minutes later, we’re striding through the hub of the compound on the way to meet Zane and Huntley in the garage.

The usual crowd of vampires is gathered in the open area, their arched brows and narrowed gazes drawn to the two of us. Fragments of whispered comments follow us in our wake—comments about the king’s squire and her shifter lover.

Whatever. Let them talk.

Our footsteps echo off the concrete as we access the parking garage that houses the Vasari fleet. Zane and Huntley are waiting by one of the black Escalades.

Huntley’s towering frame leans against the hood.