Page 58 of Absolution

Creed crawls from under the blankets to find me crashing into the wall as I hurdle the mess lying around. I make a mad dash through the house, attempting to not wake her.

“Hey, it’s not funny.”

“Yes, it is!”

He smashes his mouth shut in an effort to stop his laughter, only to snort. His face reddens from the slip. There’s no containing it now, the side-splitting, roar of amusement fills the house.

Finally, making it a home.

“She had vomit shooting out of her nose, all over me, trailing it from the front door to the kitchen!” He doubles over, no longer fighting it, and joins me in my fit of laughter. Then, something he said dawns on me.

“You took her to my sink?”

He holds his hands up. “What can I say, she caught me by surprise.”

“You’re covered in green, from your shoulder all down the front.”

He pivots, displaying the artwork going down his back. “Like a river and puddled at my waist.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Wanna make it up to me?” His boyish smile is the best, and the most genuine.

“How can I do that?”

He inclines his head toward the kitchen. “Dinner, a movie, and a hot shower.”

“Dinner and the movie I can do, but I’m not showering with you.” I cross my arms and jut out my chin in protest. He places his hand on the wall above me, crowding me against it, the heat between us is palpable, and lust blooms south of my navel.

“I wasn’t asking you to take one with me, I mean unless that’s something you’d be interested in.”

Just as I’m about to make a break for it, I actually get one from my favorite wingman. Well, wing-girl, but you get the picture. She’s gives me a chance for a getaway from the sex god on legs.

“Mmm mm.” Emmie toddles toward us with her hands held high. I duck out from under him, traipsing to Emmie. She sidesteps me, ambling into Creed’s waiting arms.

“Betrayed! And by my own blood.” I throw my hand on my forehead, gasping as I do my best southern damsel in distress impersonation.

Creed winks, and I tingle in all the right places. “She prefers older men.”

“I told you so!” He follows me to her room, across the hall from the extra bathroom. “You’re powerless against her.”

“She’s not the only crimson kryptonite that makes me weak.” The smolder in his eyes, darkening with desire.

“Let me take her, order some dinner, and you two can get cleaned up.”

“Fine, but showering with her wasn’t my offer.” He smirks, releasing Emmie to me.

“Wait… do you have a change of clothes here? We’re not even there yet, and you’re already moving in? Woah, dude! Slow your roll!” I wink, earning me a sexy smile with a smolder in his eyes.

“I have a bag in my SUV in case I wanted to stay at Crawford and Kathryn’s.”

“Shit.” Emmie covers her mouth and giggles when I glare at Creed.

“Are you kidding me? I’ve fought with her for months, working with her in hopes she’d become more verbal. I can’t believe this is the word she picks to have on repeat!”

Creed winces, his shoulders jammed up to his ears. “Sorry.”

“That’s all you have to say for yourself. How about teaching her some other words for a change?”