right? After all, Kian and Trace are watching the other planets, and I should have time to watch over a couple of them as well. If you see it again, then we'll decide what to do then. We don't want to scare them off, but we'll also need to concentrate on it. Oh, and I'll send Grace to pull the data early. If we can find anyone traveling to Dustling's number, then we'll have our Reaper. I know." I held up my hand when Axton opened his mouth to object. "It's a long shot, but maybe, just maybe, we'll get lucky. I'm sure they're using either another stolen portal or travel locating, but it would be irresponsible of us not to check."
He nodded. "I'd rather keep this quiet until we do find something. If the others ask, I'll tell them, but I don't want to make an announcement. They'll demand to join me, and we need them to worry about their own schedule. If I'm wrong…"
"That's fine with me," I said, plopping back down on my bed. I sucked in a breath as the bristles of the brush poked my ass.
While I leaned to the side to give myself room to pull the brush out from beneath me, Axton laughed. His dimples appeared, and his laughter infected me. I giggled like a schoolgirl, at first. That quickly morphed into the tired, desperate guffaws of a person stretched too thin. He didn't seem to notice anything wrong, judging by the twinkle sparkling in his eyes and the flush of his cheeks. He leaned in, sobering just before he pressed his lips to mine.
I took advantage, pushing him back without disconnecting our kiss. My skin heated, and my need rose. Even my monster looked on eagerly, waiting for the meal that usually followed the combination of emotions swirling inside of me.
Then someone banged on the door, and Axton jerked up, forcing me to do the same.
"Zella, mind if I talk to you real quick?" Trace's voice boomed through the wood.
Axton turned his head, looking at me before nodding. He dropped one last kiss to my lips, then stood. Just before he reached the door, he twisted and shot me a crooked grin. "I'll catch you eventually."
I chuckled, retorting, "Sure you will."
When Axton threw the door open, Trace jumped backwards. He looked like he'd just gotten out of the shower. With his shaggy hair dripping water, he tugged on the hem of the loose shirt that stuck to his still-damp skin. His eyes scanned Axton then landed on me, taking in my wild hair and puffy lips. I shrugged.
"I can come back later," Trace mumbled.
I said, "No," while Axton said, "I was leaving."
Axton slipped past Trace, but Trace didn't step inside. Instead, he just stood there, staring down and shuffling his feet at the threshold's edge. It seemed… odd. Trace wasn't shy. He wasn't hesitant. I didn't like this. Especially since I'd thought we'd already cleared the whole demon thing up. My stomach churned, and I huffed. Why did I agree to live with three males? Such confusing creatures.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Finally, I crawled up to the top of my bed and slipped beneath the covers. Sitting up, I patted the spot beside me. “Come on, Trace. I've got candy,” I said in a sing-song voice.
His eyebrows furrowed, but his feet moved. “Candy?” he asked.
“Nevermind,” I answered with a sigh. The problem with adopting new phrases tended to be the sheer quantity of them we learned and having to explain nuances only ruined them. “Sit and tell me what's going on inside that thick head of yours.”
He chuckled, releasing some tension as the little jab placed us on familiar ground. The bed sagged as he climbed onto it, jarring me as he got himself settled. After fixing the blanket to his liking and leaning against the wall, he teased, “Better a thick head than a cracked one.”
“Funny, as always,” I responded dryly.
He angled his head, a blinding smile on his face. “Of course, I am.”
I gave his stomach a light slap and leaned over to rest my head on his chest. It required some adjusting and weird positioning, but once he raised his arm, I fit beneath it easily. Before I had time to repeat my command, he started spilling his thoughts.
“I appreciate what you said earlier.” His arm tightened on me when I tried to rise. “It's probably easier for me if I don't have to look at you. Anyway, I just wanted to