I barely got them on before a pounding came at my door. Sighing in exasperation, knowing we were seriously late, I threw the towel around me — not forgetting this time I only had undies and socks on — and hustled to the door, fully expecting it to be Elder — it was weird thinking of him that way — Kincaid. But throwing open the door, keeping my hand firmly on the door handle, I froze…a little nervous laugh escaping.
It wasn’t Elder Kincaid.
It was Antonio.
With Cahal directly next to him.
As Cahal surveyed my person with a raised eyebrow — dripping hair, towel, and multicolored toe socks — Antonio scowled, glancing at his watch and stating, “You were supposed to be outside a half-hour ago.”
Clearing my throat, I ignored how Cahal’s eyes began darting all around the ‘spelled room’ he could see. “Well, you know…um…fifteen minutes was a little ridiculous.”
“Pearl and Jack made it outside on time,” he groused, finally taking in my half ready state of dress before searching the room with his own gaze, able to see what was actually there. Luckily, neither mentioned the little singing frogs on my bra straps. He tilted his head at Cahal. “He’s looking for Ezra. Any clue where he’s at?”
Ah, Cahal knew we shared a room now. “Nope. No clue.” One day I was going to burn in hell.
And…from the sound of it…Ezra chose that exact moment to exit the bathroom around the corner. My lips pinched as I heard the door bang open, and I heard him say, sounding playful, “Sweetheart…what did you think of the shirt?” Antonio’s eyes flew to me, and a second later when he couldn’t see me, I heard Ezra shout, sounding damn frantic, “Lily?”
Not even a breath later, Antonio’s eyes flew over my head, and I knew Ezra was in view. I swiftly started to shut the door, saying, “I’ll be out shortly—” My voice and the damn door stopped abruptly as Cahal slammed a hand against it.
He blurred, shoving it back open…and taking a step into the room.
Even though I was pushed back, instinct had me grabbing his arm when the whirlwind took him for a ride and made him stumble. His eyes flew wide, startled, as he glanced all about, quickly scanning everything he could see, then, when he more than likely saw no threats, his gaze instantly turned to my hand on him. Laughing nervously, I quickly released him. Patted his arm a few times. “That first step’s a doozy.”
He stared at me.
Well, alright then.
I turned to Antonio, holding the door open. “Might as well come on in.” My voice was only slightly odd.
Antonio sighed heavily, stepping inside without any balancing issues and shutting the door.
I waved at the couch, ignoring the fact they could see a rumpled-as-hell bed, me in my half-dressed stage and, from the corner of my eye, Ezra still dripping wet with only a towel around his waist. “Why don’t you two have a seat while we finish getting ready.” It wasn’t really a question, but I nodded as if they had agreed and turned, walking toward Ezra and where our clothes were lying on the bed. “We’ll be quick.” And yes, I was booking it away from them.
Ezra’s face was blank as he surveyed them over my head. “We won’t take long.” He waited until I was past him before he turned and walked directly behind me, leaning over me as we grabbed our clothes from the bed. I peeked around the corner as Ezra grabbed socks and underwear from his dresser, and saw, amazingly, that Cahal and Antonio had sat down on the brown love seat and black couch. Antonio was rubbing one of his temples, while Cahal slowly scrutinized every aspect of the room he could see. If he stayed there the only aspects of Pearl and Jack he would notice would be the beanbag and chair, which weren’t damning, only a debatably bad fashion choice.
Ezra and I practically raced each other inside the bathroom, fumbling and jumping at times, to get dressed. Hair still wet, I quickly pulled it back into low pigtails on the back of my head. Smiling anxiously, I put my white horn-rimmed glasses on. “Thank you for the shirt.” I actually liked it.
Ezra’s chest heaved and he ran a hand over his face as he glanced at the closed door. “You’re welcome.” He quickly bent, giving me a swift peck. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He shook his head, throwing on his shirt, which he hadn’t really glanced at. “My dad can be an ass.”
Oh, no problem. Cahal had just barged into our sanctuary. Without an invite. “All dads can be an ass. Antonio sure as hell isn’t perfect.” I gave him a quick peck in return, and then grabbed my boots. “We better get back out there.”
He nodded, pulling the black knit cap over his head, an inch of his brown hair sticking out beneath the edges. Added his silver glasses. I couldn’t help but stare. My God. He still looked like a cover model. “You’re f**king gorgeous.” I just kind of blurted it out.
His slow smile was genuine, his green eyes sparkling behind his glasses. “You think so?” He tugged one of my pigtails. “Because you see,” he bent, his teeth beginning to nibble at my bottom lip as he tugged me closer, rumbling deeply, “I happen to think you’re perfect.” A harder kiss. “Hot.” Another nibble. “Sexy.” A gentle caress. “Cute.” Hands cupped my cheeks. “Beautiful.” Lips hovered over mine, making me pant. “All rolled into one perfect woman.” He grinned naughtily. “My woman.” Softly, his mouth landed on mine, our tongues meeting gently.
An indulgent moan escaped happily as I ran my hands up his chest and around his neck.
And we both froze, hearing Cahal shout from behind the closed door, “That is not quick, son!” A curse. “This is all your damn fault!” I was pretty sure that comment wasn’t aimed at us. “And don’t even tell me this room wasn’t your doing.” Nope, not us.
Still clinging to Ezra, I whispered, “Maybe we should give them a few minutes.”
“Oh, no!” Cahal shouted. “Get your asses out here. You’ve obviously already had your fun.”
My lips pinched, scowling, even as I blushed. “His hearing’s excellent.”
“Unlike your timing since you were both supposed to be on the damn beach forty minutes ago,” Cahal hollered. “Don’t make me come back there and get you two.”
Ezra sighed, bumping his forehead against mine. “At least yours isn’t treating you like a child.”
True, but I didn’t say that, instead exiting the bathroom with Ezra hovering closely by my side. Grabbing my bag, hoodie, and Bonnie — still appearing like a poodle — I warily walked toward Cahal and Antonio. They both blinked, staring at Ezra…or, more precisely, his shirt.