Page 14 of Petrified

“You checked my breathing while I was brushing my teeth.”

“You keep bringing that up like it makes me look bad.”

I set the case bag on the table and come back toward them, watching Rowan slide one hand from Lev’s wrist to his waist. Lev could step away now if he wanted to. Instead, he plants his freed hand against Rowan’s stomach and stays exactly where he is.

“You’re still angry with him,” I say, stopping beside them.

“I’m furious.” Lev looks at me like I’m slow for needing clarification. “He picked up a severed magical snake after I specifically told him not to, nearly turned into architecture, and scared the shit out of me. I get to be mad until I decide I’m finished.”

Rowan’s expression settles, the teasing dropping out of it. “Fair.”

That seems to catch Lev off guard more effectively than another argument would have. His fingers loosen against Rowan’s stomach while Rowan keeps a hand at his waist without pulling him any closer.

I slide my hand around Lev’s hip and give Rowan a pointed look before he decides relief means he’s magically healed. “You’re still recovering, so whatever this turns into, you’re not proving anything tonight.”

“I know,” Rowan says, and this time I believe him.

Lev glances between us and snorts. “This is incredible. One near-death experience and suddenly I’m the responsible one.”

“You threatened to leave Rowan at Essence because he walked too fast.”

“He was walking irresponsibly.” Lev turns enough to hook his fingers into the front of my shirt. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

I let him pull me closer. “Your personal growth currently consists of threatening Rowan every time he stands up and trying to fight a medical scanner.”

“The scanner looked suspicious.”

“Everything looks suspicious to you.”

“That’s why I’m good at my job.”

Rowan’s hand moves around Lev’s waist again, and I see the exact moment Lev’s attention shifts. He looks over his shoulder, catches Rowan watching him, and whatever comeback he was about to give me disappears.

“You’re enjoying this,” Lev says, though he’s looking at Rowan now.

Rowan’s thumb presses once against his side. “A little.”

“That’s obnoxious.”

“You’ve been hovering.”

Lev’s eyes narrow. “Keep saying that and I’ll make you regret recovering.”

Rowan doesn’t answer. He just lowers his head until their mouths are close enough that Lev has to decide whether he’s actually going to keep arguing.

He lasts about two seconds.

Lev grabs the front of Rowan’s shirt and kisses him hard, all the anger from the last day turning into something much easier for the three of us to manage. Rowan braces one hand against the table rather than putting too much strain through his chest, which is the only reason I don’t interrupt immediately.

I move in behind Lev and slide one hand beneath the back of his shirt. His body reacts at once, breath catching against Rowan’s mouth while his free hand reaches backward and finds my hip without looking.

When he finally pulls away, he keeps his fist tangled in Rowan’s shirt. “You are still not allowed to overdo anything. Being horny doesn't magically repair damaged lungs.”

Rowan catches Lev’s hand and kisses his knuckles instead of arguing.

Lev stares at him for a second before looking back at me. “See what I’m dealing with? Manipulation everywhere.”

“You’re still standing between both of us voluntarily.” I drag my palm slowly up his back, feeling his muscles tighten beneath my hand before relaxing again. “Your case would be stronger if you looked remotely interested in escaping.”