Page 63 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“Youmake me happy,” Echo said.

“You make me happy, too.”

Echo leaned in for another kiss.

“You sure you can’t call out?” Mael asked, knowing full well Echo had to go. Sooner rather than later. Before his brothers arrived to wreak some havoc.

“Stop tempting me!”

“Go,” Mael said, pointing at the door. “Get out of here.”

“Make sure the cat doesn’t sneak out when you leave, please.”

“I’ll ensure the safety of your pussy,” Mael said, winking.

Echo chuckled and walked out, his heeled boots clicking over the hardwood.

And crunching down the stairs.

Seconds after Echo was gone, he reached for his phone. “He’s gone. Come on up.”

14

Echo paused outside the door of Dolphin Bay Coastal Management, second-guessing his outfit choice. He’d been on a high after morning sex with Mael, but once he came down, he wasn’t so sure he could walk in with any confidence. Perhaps if he walked really fast and got to his lab before anyone really saw, he could don his lab coat and hide for the rest of the day.

He took a deep breath and whipped open the door, nearly running for his lab.

Keeley stepped into his path and cut him off before he could get past reception. “Morning! Diego called out today, so I thought I could work with—” She paused and looked Echo over from head to toe.“Oh my god.”

Echo held his breath, his knees weakening under him.

A broad smile stretched over Keeley’s face.

“You lookamazing.”Keeley reached in and untied his cravat. “But this is all wrong.” She re-tied it and poofed it a bit. “Better.” She stepped back. “Ilovethis on you.”

Echo released the air from his lungs and fought a smile, cheeks warming from the compliment.

“You should’ve worn a bit of makeup, though. At least some shadow and mascara to make your eyes pop.” She sighed. “You have the prettiest eyes, and I hate you for it.”

“I thought I was pushing it as is, so I didn’t add makeup. Plus I was late.”

“If you’re already late, what’s five more minutes going to hurt?”

Echo chuckled. “Can I get to my lab now?”

Keeley moved out of his way and then fell into step beside him. “Anyway, as I was saying. Diego called out and I was supposed to help him in his lab today. Can I assist you instead?”

“What’s wrong with Diego?”

“He said he’s got a cold or something,” Keeley said.

A case of the Havocs is more like it.“He didn’t say anything else?”

“Just told me to ask you to call him when you were on your lunch break.”

Echo nodded.

“So, can I?”

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