Valan Playboys by Scarlett Dawn

morning in here, but I didn’t have a reason to use it the rest of the day. I phoned from Queen Clover’s mainlines for any other calls I had to make.”
    I ticked my fingers on my bicep. “That’s convenient.”
    His gaze snapped to mine. “It’s the truth.”
    He continued rummaging, although I gradually noticed it seemed, almost, like actions to keep his hands busy. Like he was nervous, glancing at me under his lashes periodically while I watched him. My head tilted the barest bit as I continued surveying him, just staying quiet, wanting to see if I was accurate in my assessment.
    It only took a few moments to figure it out, when abruptly he started rambling, talking so quickly I had to listen closely to catch it all as he continued searching my bedroom. “I swear I did not have sex with her. And believe me...she really wanted to. There was one point I thought she was going to chain me to a chair, but I managed to untangle myself from her.” A beat as he shuffled through my dresser drawers. “Damn near broke my leg in the process, but she finally listened when I locked myself in the bathroom. That’s how we talked, through the freaking door. So utterly, no sex happened. I swear it.” He dropped to his knees, staring under my bed, and froze when a small growl erupted from the dark depths. “And, there’s my phone.”
    Adam’s lips had begun to tremble during Vance’s ramble, but he had restrained himself, not poking jabs at Vance’s obvious discomfort…and the small fact Vance had hid in a bathroom to escape the clutches of Queen Nilkos.
    With my expression perfectly serene, I asked calmly, “Your phone’s under there?”
    Vance nodded swiftly, sticking his hand under the bed, only to snatch it back when the growling from below sharpened furiously. “Hinkle’s got it.”
    I pushed off the door and squatted next to him, peering under my bed. Indeed, his phone was under my bed. Clasped in the tiny jaws of the terror named Hinkle. Trying hard not to laugh as complete relief flooded my veins, I stuck my hand under the bed—no growling came forth—and swiftly extracted the phone from Hinkle, glancing at the screen. There were many tiny indentions, bite marks from Hinkle’s teeth, but the screen clearly showed he had twenty missed calls.
    Keeping my expression composed, I handed it to him, murmuring evenly, “Your battery’s almost dead.” Leaning forward, he went entirely still as I neared. I kissed his soft, wide lips gently. Just once. I pulled back, lifting from my squat, explaining stoically, “You can stay if you want.” I shrugged a shoulder, reaching around Adam on my bed, grabbing two pillows and tossing them on the floor. “But you might want to take a shower. You smell of her perfume.” More, like, reeked of her perfume, but I wasn’t going to squabble any further.
    Vance stood to his feet, stretching a bit with it, mumbling casually, “A shower doesn’t sound bad right about now.” I bit my lip as he gave me a wide birth as he coolly, but swiftly, headed toward my bedroom door. “I’ll make it quick.”
    When we heard the bathroom door click shut, Adam snickered. “That was new.”
    I slapped his muscled shoulder. “Be nice. I thought he was going to puke at one point.”
    He hummed quietly, his lips still twitching, but his ice blues were serious on mine. “We still need to speak with you.”
    I shrugged a shoulder. “Tomorrow. There’s been enough drama tonight.” I waggled my hand at him. “Now, get off. The bed’s mine.”
    His lips curved, ever innocence, right before he grabbed my waggling hand, yanking me down onto the bed, and twisted to lie on top of me. Heavy. Masculine. Warm. His lips still curled, appearing angelic, as I panted in surprise under him, he whispered on a croon, “There was no desert at dinner.” His lips grazed mine, the barest touch. “Just a little taste. That’s all I want.”
    White loose curls dangling around our faces; the man made me