Bite Me
Page 18

But Im comfortable.
You already have him freaking out about holes. You dont want him to think too much about your naked ass rubbing against the cabinets storing his food.
Livy knew Ira was right. Vic was quite mellow most of the time, but sometimes he could get surprisingly obsessive over the strangest things. And once he locked on, he just never let go. She really didnt want to be on the receiving end of that, so Livy waved Iras arms away. I can get down on my own.
Not without your claws, and you already left scratches in the wood where you climbed in. Lets not make it worse.
Deciding not to argue, Livy placed her hands on Iras massive shoulders and let the hybrid lower her to the floor. She ignored the pat on her head that followed.
So what brings you to my brothers territory? Ira asked.
Livy walked around the kitchen island and grabbed the clothes shed left there the night before.
I thought he was out of town.
Ira chuckled. Not why did you choose his house. I just assumed you couldnt find an open window anywhere in the City. Im talking about why did you feel the need to burrow into his honey cabinets.
Oh, nothing. Just my entire life is falling apart.
It couldnt fall apart at your own place?
Livy heard no vicious tone in her words. It was just a question. So she answered while grabbing her clothes, I couldnt stay at the apartment. Not with her there.
Ira leaned against the counter, and pulled a bowl of fruit close. Who? she asked after choosing a few grapes and popping them into her mouth.
My cousin.
If you didnt want her there, why did you invite her?
Livy pulled her head through her sweatshirt. I didnt invite her.
Oh. Ira shrugged. Then throw her out.
It wont matter. Shell just come back. Livy finger-combed her hair off her face. We always come back.
Like a chronic illness, Shen offered around a mouthful of cake. And when Livy and Ira stared at him, he shrugged and added, It felt like you needed an analogy there. At the end. The women kept staring, so he suddenly dug his laptop out of the bag resting against his chair. Forget it.
Livy pulled the straps of her backpack over her shoulders. Well, Im out of here.
Youre leaving? Ira asked.
Since your brothers home now
Oh, come on. Stay. We have cake. She glared at Shen. Stop eating the cake!
Im hungry!
I appreciate the invite,but once your brother finds that hole
Dammit, Livy!
Livy pointed at where the yelling had just come from. Yup. Im out. She went to walk around the island, but Ira reached across and grabbed Livys arm.
Stay. Please. We can chat!
Livy couldnt help but frown. Chat?
Shes looking for a girlfriend, Shen explained, his gaze locked on his laptop screen. Two big fingers quickly moved across the keyboard.
Im not really girlfriend material.
Have you ever thought a pair of shoes were cute?
Livy shrugged. Yeah. I guess, but
Good enough!
Ira yanked Livy over to the table, removed her backpack, and forced her into a chair. Ill make breakfast!
Vic walked back into the kitchen. You keep putting holes in my house, he rightfully accused.
I dont want criminals to see any broken windows when Im not here. The holes are harder to spot.
Now isnt that nice of her? Ira asked, her head in the refrigerator. Oooh. Theres bacon.
Stop siding with her. Vic sat down opposite Livy.
If you dont want her breaking into your house, then give her a key.
I offered.
I dont like keys. It implies . . . Livy thought a moment. Permanence.
Im not asking you to marry me. Im asking you not to break into my home.
Yeah, Livy replied. I know.
Vic did not understand this woman because she didnt seem to understand the most basic things. Like how it made more sense to take the keys hed had specially made for her rather than burrowing expensive and not easily repaired holes into his house so that she had a place to crash for the night. Vic had finally had to hire a shifter contractor to take care of the hole problem because hed run out of lies to tell the full-human one he normally used. And the shifter contractors? They overcharged! Thieves! All of them! Especially the bears.
Yet the strangest thing about it all? Vic strongly felt that if hed asked Livy very seriously not to come back into his home, she wouldnt. Out of some Livy-only-understands-it sense of honor. But he couldnt bring himself to do thathe just didnt know why.
Livys phone went off and she pulled the device from her back pocket. But one look at the screen had her dropping her head to his thick wood tablehard. The sound was so loud, Ira turned away from the stove, where she was busy putting bacon in one of the pans he never had time to use.