Page 440 of Knox Academy Omnibus
Jasper snorts in amusement. We’re not fooling anyone; he knows exactly what Elsie just did, and rather than be pissed about it like many guys would be, he looks at her like she hung the moon. Good. He’ll treat her well. That’s what I have Baxter on standby for: threats against my family.
“You can’t kill him if it doesn’t work out you know,” Slate whispers in my ear.
“Wanna bet?” I grin at him. “Actually, I need to speak with you quickly. Ugh, today was supposed to be a day off and I’m still working! I’m going to need help with this.”
“I’ll happily help you relax and unwind later.” His hands fall to my shoulders and he starts to massage them. I groan and my eyes drift close in bliss.
“Thank you. I might just take you up on that offer.” I sigh as the tension leaves me.
“I wasn’t offering. I was promising. Just me and you, okay?”
“I’d like that.” He kisses me briefly on the lips.
“Now what did we need to discuss?”
“Oh! That…yeah…” It takes me a minute to come back to the present. That massage may have been short and sweet, but Slate is amagicianwith his fingers. “I have your Order role arranged.”
A wariness flashes in his eyes but he schools it with a quick, serious nod of his head.
“Okay, hit me.”
“I want you to attend several interviews for me that I have set up.”
“Understood. What for?”
“A music masters.” I hold my breath for his reaction. He freezes.
“What? Are you sure? Really?”
I nod.
“Wow! Really? This isn’t a joke?”
“It’s not a trick.” I laugh. “I want you to take some time to pursue your music. I know we’ve all graduated early with bachelors, but your music is part of your soul. It’s who you are, Slate. Who I love. And I’m not ready for that to just become a weekend hobby any more than you are, I think. So with the board’s blessing and mine, go do what you love.”
“I can’t believe you’d do this for me. Wow…I…I don’t know what to say. I love you.”
I laugh.
“I love you, too. Do what makes you happy, Slate.”
He sweeps me into his arms and kisses me deeply, all while spinning me around and around. I’m half worried we’re going to fall into the pool, but he manages to put me down safely. When I wobble on my feet, he even catches me to prevent me tumbling in.
“What’s going on?” Kalen whines, coming over. Onyx and Sawyer join us, sharing knowing grins. Kalen catches them and pouts. “What’s happening? What don’t I know? Why are you keeping secrets?”
“Amelie has given me the best gift ever!” Slate beams.
“Really? I think we’ve all had a taste before and – ooof! Hey! What did you do that for?”
“Shut up doofus. Amelie has something she wants to say,” Onyx snaps.
“I do?”
“You look like you do.”
“Okay. Do you guys, all of you, want to ah, move in with me? I – apparently – now own a house big enough for all of us and then some.” Oh my god. I made a mess of that.
“Fuck yeah!” Kalen whoops, like I just suggested we create a frat house or something stupid. I shake my head; I knew he’d be up for anything.
