Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 139076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
He was ready to take all the jealousy back.
The Variks…the Variks were fucking insane.
Loud, nosy, and bossy.
Okay, they were pretty damn funny too. They said the craziest, most ridiculous things to each other, and no one blinked an eye.
Marcus and Aiden seemed to take turns trying to corral the rest of them, but eventually even Marcus broke and said something snarky to his brothers.
And on top of it all, they were trying to figure out a way to keep from getting killed by an evil vampire and his clan.
For all their bickering and teasing, there was something very tightknit about these men. Fox only had to be in the room with them for a few minutes to see that they’d do anything to protect each other. They were less wary of him when they left, though they were still hesitant to trust him. But it felt like their concern was more about Winter’s safety than Fox’s threat against all of them.
Winter around his family was subtly different. It was difficult to put his finger on it at first. He’d needed to watch him interacting with them for a few hours before pieces started to fall into place. There was a stiffness to his frame, though he was trying to appear relaxed, as if he were trying to hold this protective barrier in place. His words were measured and guarded, like he was making sure he didn’t say something he shouldn’t.
Fox didn’t get that feeling when they were alone together. Sometimes Winter was cautious, but usually the words just flowed out of him, damn the consequences.
And then there was how he sat next to Fox, perched on the edge of the cushion, his body leaned forward as if he could physically protect Fox from anything his brothers might say. Winter’s instinct to protect was likely a mile wide if Fox had to judge by how he safeguarded his family. But Fox had not expected Winter to pull him into the tight circle of people he felt the need to keep safe. Warm little flutters twirled through his stomach, and Fox wanted to laugh with delight.
Except Winter was likely protecting him as a means of protecting his family. Winter had to guard his family from the prophecy and right now, Fox was linked to that damn thing.
But what about holding his hand? Or telling him he wasn’t a “no one”? Winter hadn’t needed to do that.
There was no point in wracking his brain over it now. He was already drained from just talking to all the Variks for the past few hours.
Fox turned his head to the side so he could speak. “Was this normal?”
“For them? Yeah.” He couldn’t hear Winter moving, but his voice sounded like it was growing closer to the sofa. “I’m sorry about all that. They can be overwhelming. They didn’t mean anything by it.”
Fox snorted. “I bet that’s what you tell all the boys prophesied to bring death and doom on your family.”
Winter’s low chuckle skipped across his spine in a teasing caress, reminding Fox suddenly of other plans they’d discussed before the untimely arrival of his family.
“This is a first for me.”
Pushing up on his elbows, Fox looked over his shoulder to find Winter standing behind the couch, just a few short feet away. “You wanna have another first?”
One corner of Winter’s mouth tilted up. “What did you have in mind?”
“Ever fuck a witch?”
“I don’t think so.”
Grinning, Fox rolled over onto his back and stretched his arms over his head, elongating his body so Winter could easily take in all of him. “So then, you haven’t fucked a witch on this couch?”
“I’ve never fucked anyone in this loft. I don’t bring people to my place.”
“Oh, we have a lot of firsts we can check off here. I like it.”
Winter shook his head. “Are you sure? After talking with my family, I was thinking maybe…you weren’t in the mood anymore.” Winter dragged a deep breath into his lungs and released it as he shoved one hand through his hair. “We have a lot to think about and so many things to plan. We’re still waiting for Rafe’s contact to reach out to us about Damon and the prophecy. I just thought…”
Fox shoved upright, climbing to his knees so he was facing Winter with only the back of the sofa separating them. “Don’t get me wrong. Your family is an amazing cure for blue balls. But I don’t think even they can make me not want you.” Leaning in, Fox kissed and licked along Winter’s hard jaw. “Don’t you think we deserve a break? Some stress relief before we have to figure out how to save the world?”
Winter turned his head, brushing his lips across Fox’s in the most wicked tease. “Just a break?” he whispered.
“Mmhmm. A short one. It’ll even help you get a good day’s sleep. We’ll wake with the answer to all our problems.”