Page 68 of Thick as Thieves
“Aren’t you going with Gabe to the gig?” I ask her in surprise. She is here for Gabe, after all.
“Well not if you need help. I’d rather stay and be with the twins and you. Candy can go with him.” I raise my eyebrows at her and she shrugs. “He’s agreed if you do.” She’s obviously teed it up with Gabe already.
“Well yes, we’d love to have you. We’re just doing city stuff this morning. And later Valentina is having another dinner near some boats in the south of the city. Again, family, so if you want to come along to everything, you’re welcome.”
She practically claps her hands together in glee. Taking Sorley in her arms, she holds him, chattering to him. “Are you going on some boats?” She’s kissing his face, cooing, “Are you going on the river?” She gently sways with him as Valentina comes and takes Lochi.
“I’ll get some tea. Can I get anyone a cup?”
We discuss plans for the next few days over tea. Tommy comes in and we talk security. I think I’m trying to block out the fact that we’ll be hassled, we’ll be chased around, we may be pushed and shoved a bit. My apprehension levels are ramping up.
“What time did you book us for, Tommy?” I’m trying to sound nonchalant.
“I picked the afternoon, after the twins’ lunch. It’s booked for 2:00 p.m. They may be asleep, but if not they’re happy in the pushchair at that time, so…” He chucks Lochi under the chin, and the little boy smiles and puts his arms out to him. “Come to your uncle Tommy,” he says to the boy.
“Are you claiming them, Tommy?” Asks Kell, coming into the room in only his sweats. He looks at me and grins.
“Oh my god, pack it in.” I shake my head at him and his grin gets wider.
“Pack what in?” asks Xan, also coming into the kitchen in sweats only, no shirt. They’re both grinning at me. They’ve done it on purpose. I can see Texas with her tongue hanging out, staring at the beauty parade on show.
“I’m ignoring you both,” I tell them, trying but failing to sound confident in the lie.
“Really?” laughs out Kell. He starts doing stretches, and crazy lunges.
“What are you doing?” My voice rises higher and higher as my pulse starts to pound faster.
“Stretching. I’m off to the gym, we need to work out. Xander’s not as fit as he thinks he is.” He winks at Xan.
“Fuck off,” Xan says, coming to stand behind me at the kitchen counter. “I’ve got a story to tell you, Evie, you need to listen to it.”
His voice is so mild but his intentions are not. He looks like the devil, enticing me into hell. The most gorgeous blue-eyed, black-haired devil. And probably the best hell I’ve ever been enticed into. I’m panting at him as he lays his finger over my neck where he can see my pulse pounding. He rubs his thumb over it, moving my scent into the air. I see his nostrils flare, and his eyes change to a darker blue. I can hardly breathe or look away.
Tommy clears his throat and Xan smirks at him. “Sore throat, Tommy?”
“No, I need to sort the itinerary. Mick’s on his way up to sort yours.”
Xander has not moved his finger from my pulse point, and he’s still staring intently at me. No one says anything else.
“Can it wait?” asks Xan in the same conversational, casual tone, but his stare is anything but.
“No, sorry, you’ll be gone in an hour,” Tommy asserts.
“Shame,” says Xander. “I’m a good storyteller. In fact, I’d even say I’m one of the best.” He leans forwards saying, “Hold that thought, Kitten. Keep focusing on it while we’re away.” He then licks up the side of my neck. Nobody has moved. They’re all watching this ridiculous show. Particularly Texas, who’s avidly watching from Xan to Kell to me and back.
He turns my head and looks into my eyes, and then moves them to Kellen, who looks like he’s happy to go back to the bedroom. “Better get dressed then,” he says lightly, kisses me, and then moves to kissing the boys before walking into the hallway.
“Do I have time for the gym?” Kell asks.
“No,” says Mick coming through the door. “We’ve got a plane sorted, but we have to be away in less than an hour. But we can keep it and come back more or less straight after the gig, so we’ll be back tonight but really late early hours.”
28
Kellen
MexicoCity
I cannot waitto get back. I’ve felt the same every fucking time. Fair enough I’m happy to be doing the gigs, the crowds are amazing, but as soon as the meet and greets are done, I’m literally running out the door. I know it’s pissing off Gabe and Levi, but Xander is practically beating me out.
