Page 74 of Riot of Autumn

“Actually, I think I was the one who asked to do that.”

Archer slides into the seat next to me. “You guys have really weird foreplay.” Then he proceeds to snake an arm around Lena and grab her ass. She sighs like she’s annoyed but can’t help but chuckle.

“Can you not?” Rhys says as he stops in front of us behind the bar.

Archer shrugs with a grin. “I had to give it a try.”

Rhys rolls his eyes but quickly turns his attention to me and Ezra, a shit-eating grin on his face. “I was going to wait until everyone was here, but I’ll be nice.”

Ezra groans, his forehead dropping to my shoulder when he realizes what Rhys is about to do. I push him away and stand up on the rung of my stool so I can get closer to Rhys. He tugs his sleeve up and shows off the tattoo of the mermaid on his bicep. It’s an incredible piece, done in the American Traditional style, which reminds me a little of a pin-up girl.

I’ve seen the tattoo before, but never paid close attention to it. I frown and turn my head to look at Ezra. His arms are crossed and there’s a glower on his face, but I see the uncertainty in his eyes. Does he think I’m going to be mad about this? It’s kind of hilarious. I turn back around to inspect the tattoo and then sit down with a huff.

“That’s Zara.”

“What?” Ezra and Rhys both say at the same time.

“That chick has blonde hair. I haven’t had blonde hair in a long ass time.”

Rhys chuckles and walks away, but Ezra spins my stool and pushes my knees apart so he can settle between them. Skirt be damned, I guess.

“We didn’t even know about Zara back then.”

“Maybe you were having a premonition.” I shrug, pretending to be put out by this, when really, it’s kind of flattering.

“Cube.” Ezra’s voice drops, getting all low and growly in a way that makes me squirm. “I didn’t realize at the time that I’d put your face on the tattoo. Rhys asked for blonde hair, but he left the rest of the details up to me.”

I eye him, a warmth growing in my belly at the heated look in his eyes.

Ezra leans down, his lips brushing over my ear when he speaks. “If he wouldn’t have asked for a blonde, I would have given her lilac hair.”

My hands are gripping his shirt, and I push him back a little. “Did that need to be whispered in my ear?”

“Yes.” Ezra grins at me, and I feel all floppy again.

I tug on his shirt, and he leans down so I can whisper in his ear. “I’m just glad you didn’t tattoo my face on his ass.”

Ezra barks out a laugh just as the door swings open, and Emric walks in with Davis and Miri behind him. Zara must have sensed everyone’s arrival because she comes out from the back hallway, which leads to Rhys’s apartment, in the next moment.

“Looks like we’re all here,” Rhys announces, waving everyone over to a long table.

Emric eyes Sal, but we all know he’s deaf as a post. Ezra picks up my glass before I get the chance and carries it over to the table. I take a seat on the bench at his side, feeling deja vu that we’re here again. Like a recurring nightmare, we’re back to plotting how to take down the fucking Fae who’ve decided they want to take over our island and who knows what else.

“You said you had a plan last night. What is it?” Davis, our de facto leader, prompts in a gruff voice.

Emric turns his attention to me and Ezra instead of giving Davis an answer. “Did the two of you get a chance to talk about bonding?”

Ezra’s hand glides up my back, resting right in the middle with a comforting warmth.

“So, yeah. I guess we’re going to bond.” I shrug, avoiding eye contact with my friends.

I sense their surprise without needing to see the shock on their faces. Pretty sure they thought I would die on this hill before I ever caved. The hill being bonding, obviously.

I focus on Emric, not giving a crap if he thinks I’m being weak, or wishy-washy or whatever other feelings my friends might be having right now. He gives me a small nod.

“I believe it would be best if the two of you bonded on Samhain.”

Half the table groans, including me, Ezra, Lena, and Archer.

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