about this conversation," Catcher said, pointing at Mallory as he stalked toward her, then waggling his finger between their bodies, "is that we're dating. You're supposed to side with me."
Mallory burst out laughing, just in time for Catcher to reach her and nab her glass of wine before Cabernet sloshed over the top. "Catch, you're a boy. I've known you for like a week." Two months, actually, but who was counting? "I've known Merit for years. I mean, the sex is great and all, but she's my BFF."
For the first time since I'd known Catcher, he was speechless. Oh, he sputtered a little, tried to get something out, but Mallory's pronouncement stopped him short. He looked to me for help. If I hadn't been amused, the desperation in his eyes would have moved me.
"You're the one that moved in, Slugger," I said with a shrug. "She's right. Maybe next time you should do a little of that famous Bell investigatory work before you sign up for the full ride."
"You two are impossible," he said, but wrapped his free arm around Mal's waist and pressed his lips to her temple. Just as I was visited by a pang of jealousy that tightened my stomach, I heard a car door shut outside.
"Morgan's here," I said, uncrossing my legs and bounding off my stool. I glanced back at both of them and pressed my hands together. "Please, for the love of God, have clothes on when I get back."
I smoothed my hair as I traveled the hallway, then pulled open the front door. He'd parked an SUV in front of the brownstone.
Correction, I thought, as Morgan popped out of the passenger side - Morgan's driver parked the SUV. I guess Morgan preferred to be chauffeured these days.
I stepped outside, hands on my hips as I waited for him on the stoop. He strode toward the house, dressed in jeans and a couple of layered T-shirts, a shamelessly happy grin on his face, a paper sleeve of flowers in his hand.
"Hello, Chicago's newest Master."
Morgan shook his head, grinned. "I come in peace," he said, and bounded up the stairs.
He stood on the step below mine, which put us nearly at eye level. "Hello, beautiful."
I smiled down at him.
"In the interest of detente between our Houses," he said, leaning in and lowering his voice to a whisper, "and to celebrate this historic meeting of vampires, I'm going to kiss you."
"Fair enough."
He did, his lips soft and cool against mine, the length of his body warm as he pressed in. The kiss was sweet and very, very eager. He nipped at my lips, whispering my name as he did it, hinting at the depths of his desire. But before we'd gone further than propriety would have allowed, given that we were standing on the stoop in full view of the street, he pulled back.
"You look" - he shook his head as if in awe - "outstanding." He grinned up at me, dark blue eyes alight with pleasure... and what looked like pride.
"Thank you. You don't look half bad yourself. I mean, you're a vampire, but that's not really your fault."
Morgan clucked his tongue and leaned around me, gazing through the open door. "You should be affording me the Grateful Condescension I'm due. Is that salmon?"
I appreciated that the boy's love of food was nearly as big as mine. "That's what I hear."
"Sweet. Let's go in."
We made it as far as the hallway before he stopped me, before he sidled me against one of the few parts of the wall that weren't covered in Carmichael family photographs.
Then he tucked his index finger into a belt loop on my jeans and tugged me closer.
He leaned in, smelling of bright, grassy cologne. It was kind of an odd smell on a night-dwelling vampire.
"I really didn't get a chance to say hello and good night properly," he murmured.
"I think you were gearing up for the salmon."
His voice was barely audible, a sultry rustling of sound. "Exactly. I got distracted, and I really don't think I gave it my best."
"In that case..." was all I got out before his lips found mine. This kiss was just as eager as his last had been, his mouth hungry and urgent, tongue teasing and insistent. His hands slid around my back, enveloping me in his arms and his spring-green scent. He sighed at the contact.
"Hey, did Morgan ever - Oh, dear God."
Morgan's head popped up, and we both looked to find Mallory just outside