Black Wings, Gray Skies (Black Hat Bureau 4)

I was definitely going to murder Clay for putting this idea in my head.

“No.” He killed the water as I stepped back. “Wait.”

Embarrassed to have put myself out there, I dashed across the hall and slammed my door then locked it.

“Do I face him,” I muttered to myself, “or do I climb out the window and run until my legs fall off?”

The inner debate lasted a good thirty seconds before I sized up the window and grabbed for the lock.

I kicked out the screen and had one leg through the opening by the time Asa burst into the room. He winced at the knob he dented, and the way my door hung uneven on its hinges, but it didn’t slow him.

“You’re paying to have that fixed,” I yelled as my feet hit the grass. “I hope you know that.”

“Rue.” A strangled noise caught between laughter and anger lodged in his throat. “You’re naked.”

“Yes.” I flung my arms out to my sides and spun a circle in my yard. “We’ve established that.”

Asa, whose horns refused to be packed away, was forced to give up the window and use the front door.

“Thank you, goddess,” I panted, already on the run, “for not allowing Clay to see this.”

I would never live it down. Ever. Never ever. Never times infinity.

Aedan was probably asleep, but I veered to avoid the creek anyway.

Mrs. Gleason was my best bet. She could give me a blanket, and she would cackle with glee to hear the story of how naked shenanigans blew up in my face. The edited version, of course, minus the horns.

“Rue.”

“I think I left the fridge open,” I called over my shoulder. “Mind going back to shut it for me?”

Impact knocked the breath out of me, and Asa snaked his arms around my middle in an ironclad hold.

“When I pointed out you were naked—” he growled as I wriggled, “—I wasn’t complaining.”

“You looked horrified.” I stomped his instep. “Let me go.”

With inhuman strength, he twisted me to face him then threw me over his shoulder.

“No,” he said casually. “I don’t think I will.”

Fists clenching in the damp ropes of his hair, I yanked on his scalp. “I told you to let me go.”

“You and I are going to have a discussion.” He turned toward the house. “After which, you can leave.”

“It’s my house.” I kicked and clawed at him. “Take me back there, and you will be the one leaving.”

“I can live with that.”

“Why can’t you let me die of embarrassment in peace?”

“I won’t let you die.” He nuzzled my hip. “Period.”

Heat speared my core, and I forgot to struggle for a heartbeat as his teeth closed over my skin.

“What are you doing?” I sucked in air, but I couldn’t gulp enough. “And are you…wearing a towel?”

“You didn’t exactly give me a chance to dress before you became an Olympic hurdler.”