gets her going. So do you. You think he's hot, she clearly agrees, and I'm not getting the vibes from him that he's all worried about you seducing him."
"Nah, Psyc's cool," Braden agreed.
"So maybe it's never worked because you're not meant to be in a couple," Jeff said. "You're halfway in Chance and Dez's relationship already. You work best when you're just you, and neither of them seems to be asking you to change. She's learning to spread her wings, and I've seen her get a little more confident every day. I know Psyc just well enough to guess that the three of you might be like that whole rock, paper, and scissors thing. You just have to figure out if she and he will work as good as you and she do."
Braden turned to look at the little guy beside him. Jeff had been with Deviant from the start. He was the quiet kind, but he and Braden had an understanding. They'd been actual friends from the moment someone had drugged Dez while she was under their guard, both of them working to reassure the other that it wasn't either of their fault. Of all the people in the world to tell Braden what he'd already been thinking, to hear it from Jeff?
"Thanks," he breathed. "Um, willing to do me a favor?"
"Always," Jeff promised.
"Stay up late with me and let's see if we can find Soul Reaper?"
"Ok?" Jeff sounded like that should've been obvious.
"And keep me from thinking about the stupid shit I'm about to do. Definitely keep me from hitting anyone."
"I can do that," Jeff agreed. "Let me get my laptop and move it over by yours. Besides, I've found something that looks kinda interesting."
He turned to leave, but Braden caught his arm. On the other side of the room, Psyc was standing up and holding out his hand to Rhaven. It wasn't too late, but she looked at him like things were clearly brewing. Steaming was probably a better word.
"Now is when you keep me in line," Braden said softly.
Jeff turned to stand in front of him. "That woman is not a piece of pie, Braden. There's not a limited amount of her to go around. This is the moment when you're happy for her, because tomorrow night, that'll be you stealing her away, right?"
"I fucking hope so," Braden breathed.
Jeff just moved his hand to rub Braden's shoulder. "And if she dumps you, well, I'm still single and you never paid out on that blowjob."
That. Of all the things Jeff could've said to snap him out of his pity party, that was the one thing that worked. A laugh broke from his throat, and Braden nodded just as Rhaven and Psyc disappeared from view.
"Yeah. Thanks, Jeff. I think I'm honestly going to be ok with this."
"That's kinda what I thought," Jeff said. "Now let's go be the heroes and catch the bad guy."
Chapter 45
Rhaven felt bad for a split second, until she heard Braden laughing behind her. He sounded honestly amused. That was enough to convince her that he was ok with this. Psyc hurried just enough to get the door for her, and they left the suite without anyone at all making a big deal out of it. But once outside, Psyc wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the side of her neck.
"You know it's still kinda early," he teased.
Rhaven leaned into it as she unlocked the door to their suite. "Mhm. So, saying we should go back and pull our hair out a little more?" The latch clicked, releasing the door, so she pushed it open. "The truth is that I'm..."
"Yeah," Psyc breathed. "It's kinda heavy shit. I pretty much feel useless in there with all the smart kids."
She pulled him inside their room. "I dunno, I think you're one of the smart kids too."
He kicked the door closed even as he pulled her into his arms. "Think so? I've basically been distracted all damned day by this babe in the room. Her long legs and those lips."
"Psyc," she breathed, feeling her pulse pick up.
He pressed his brow against hers. "Right. Slower."
She just looked into his eyes. "I was going to ask which room."
The man before her paused, and then a smile began to spread across his lips. "Yours, of course." He turned her around and pushed her that way, kissing the back of her neck, then the edge of her ear before whispering, "Have condoms?"