Raph said, “If we’re apart for too long, we’ll get antsy and irritated. Eventually, we’ll get sick.”
Laz’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth, but I cut him off first. “That wouldn’t happen unless we were separated for weeks.”
“Okay. Um… if you’re soulmates, why, um…” He cringed, and Raph ran his hand through Laz’s hair.
“You can ask us anything, baby.”
My heart lurched, then sped up at the endearment. Raph could be so sweet sometimes.
Laz cleared his throat. “If you already have a soulmate, why do you want to date me?”
Raph froze for a moment, and I sat there unsure of whether I should be here for this conversation or not. I didn’t think I needed to be; this seemed like something between the two of them. Before I could escape, Raph sent me a glare that meant stay the fuck where you are, then turned soft eyes to Laz and said, “Izzy and I aren’t involved romantically. I’m looking for a romantic relationship. What Iz and I have is deep and wonderful; he’s my family, but… but I’d like to find a romantic partner as well.”
Laz searched his eyes for a minute before turning those big green orbs my way and asking, “You’re really okay with that?”
“Yes. I want Raph to be happy.”
“I want you to be happy, too,” Raph said with a deep frown as he pulled Laz into his side, and the pair faced me.
My lips tilted up a tad. “I know that. And if someone comes along for me, we’ll figure it out.” Both men frowned at that, so I rolled my eyes and stood. “I’m going to grab a snack and watch another movie. If you guys need some privacy, I’ll stay out of the guest room.”
I heard them whisper to each other, and then Laz was walking into the kitchen with me, saying, “Can we watch the movie with you?”
“If you really want to.”
“We do.” He sent me a blinding smile. “I think it might be good to do something normal after that very awkward and way-too-serious-for-this-soon conversation.”
I barked out a laugh. “Fair enough. I’ll make some popcorn. Go take over the remote before Raph picks something. He has horrible taste in movies.”
“I do not!”
I grabbed some microwaveable popcorn. “How often do you fall asleep when you pick the movie?”
He hesitated. “A lot.”
I hummed as I put the popcorn in the microwave. “Try every single time. How often do you fall asleep when I pick?”
I heard him sigh, and Laz chuckled.
“Never,” I said.
“Fine, fine, Mr. Perfect. You can pick.”
Laz snorted again, and I called over to Raph, “I say we give Laz a chance. There’s no way he can be worse at it than you.”
Laz chuckled. “Challenge accepted.”
I eyed him. “I can’t figure out if you’re challenging yourself to pick a worse movie than Raph or a better one.”
He turned smiling eyes my way. “You’ll have to wait to find out.”
When he walked into the living room to grab the remote, Raph held it out of reach, and when Laz tried to grab it, Raph hooked his arm around Laz’s waist and yanked him down, making the other man yelp and laugh as he fell onto the couch. Raph poked Laz in the side and nuzzled his neck while keeping the remote away.
I watched in amusement as Laz captured Raph’s mouth in a deep kiss, effectively distracting him. Laz leaned into Raph, pushed him back as if he was going to climb on his lap. Right before he put his leg over Raph’s thighs, Laz reached over and plucked the remote from Raph’s hand.
Laz was on his feet and across the room before Raph even realized what happened, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
Laz held up the remote and yelled, “Ha! Take that, Raphael Bloodgood. Or should I say Leif.”
Raph laughed and shook his head. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”
“Nope.”
Raph stood and stalked toward him, but Laz held up a hand and said, “No. Stop. Stay over there.”
“But I only want a kiss, baby,” Raph said.
Laz snorted. “Likely story.”
When Raph dove forward, Laz yelped and ran into the kitchen, grabbed my shoulders, and hid behind me. How a man bigger than me was pulling that off, I had no idea.
I laughed. “I’m not a part of this.”
“You are now,” Laz said. “As my new bestie, you have to protect me.”
“New bestie, huh? What about Grady?” I asked.
“He has Alaric. He’s been replaced by the badass nature warlock that can save me from that heathen.”
“Heathen, huh?” Raph said, still stalking closer. “I’ll show you heathen.”
In the next second, Raph had both of us pinned to the counter, arms planted on either side so I was squished between them.
My eyes widened, and I gave Raph a little push on his chest, saying, “I’m not getting involved in this.” My heart was pounding in my chest, and to my horror, my pants got a little too tight. I couldn’t decide if it was from nerves, excitement, or anger, but I knew one thing. I could not be stuck between them. No way. Not like this. Not so close. Not so intimately. “Let me out,” I whispered to my soul-pledged.
Raph met my eyes for a moment before he lifted his arm and let me escape.
Laz groaned. “Thanks for the backup, Iz.”
I chuckled, but it was strained. “Like you didn’t want to get caught.”
He laughed, then sucked in a breath when Raph nuzzled his neck.
Using the diversion, I plucked the remote from Laz’s hand, and he said, “Hey!” but was immediately distracted by Raph kissing the corner of his mouth, then nuzzling into his neck again.
Deciding I needed to get away from all of that, I grabbed a giant bowl, poured the now-done popcorn into it, and made a hasty retreat to the living room. I settled in the corner of the couch with my feet tucked under me and pretended to ignore the laughing and goofing-off going on in the kitchen.
And I definitely ignored the way my body was reacting to seeing them together.
Because that was ridiculous, wasn’t it?
I’d already been dealing with my jealousy flaring every other minute, and now this? No. I don’t think so.
Chapter 12
Lazarus
Raph’s scratchy chin kept tickling me, and I knew I sounded like a lovesick teenager, but I couldn’t help it where he was concerned. He had me pinned to the counter, and I noticed Iz walk out of the kitchen, but Raph stepped closer to me and wrapped his arms around my back, still tickling my neck. With a laugh, I grabbed onto his muscular waist and held him for a few seconds before I moved my hand quickly and tickled his side.
He let out a breathy laugh and captured my hands, holding them against the counter before he pressed his lips to mine. He dove in, erasing all my other thoughts so all I could think about, all I could feel, smell, hear, all I cared about in that moment was Raph.
He took my breath away, made my heart lurch in my chest, made lust pool in my belly, made fire run in my veins.
And then he pulled away and whispered, “I’m glad you’re here.”