Page 34 of His Retribution

And I sure as fuck need to stop thinking about this now because if I'm not careful I will make things very uncomfortable for myself, as well as the queen.

Who thankfully interrupts my thoughts. "I didn't buy you any underwear."

"Ok..."

"Did you need that or are you like the rest of the men in this house?"

"Is it general knowledge that my brothers and I go commando, or are you just making an assumption based on your mate’s preference?"

Posey giggles. "The only reason Kai has any underwear at all is so he can wear it long enough to moon each one of you."

"This is not news to me, my queen. I have seen your mate’s bare ass more than you have. You forget we are all quite old, myself older still, and undergarments for men wasn't really much of a requirement until we were long accustomed to going without."

"And thank god for that!" She snorts then parks her hands on her hips. "Ok, so what looks good for tonight, big guy? Gonna keep it casual, maybe jeans and a button down?"

I scan the bed. "My light asked me to assist her with repairs on her truck. I don't think that requires much of a dress code."

"That is so cute!" Posey practically squeals. "She was probably trying so hard to come up with a reason to see you again and settled for that. I love it!"

"How do you figure?" I just assumed it meant she'd be working on parts she'd need help lifting. My mate is strong, so strong and whip smart but she is no bigger than a pixie and will surely require assistance.

Posey rolls her eyes. "Oh, come on. You really think Gypsy isn't capable of fixing her truck on her own? She's been flying solo for almost twenty-seven years, I'm sure she can fix damn near anything. She was obviously coming up with a reason to keep you around! She may not recognize you as anyone other than Grizzly Adams, but she sure as hell felt your bond. Why else would she ask a total and slightly terrifying stranger to help her out?"

She makes a good point.

Though, I shouldn't allow such hope to bloom in my chest quite yet.

"Speaking of Grizzly Adams..." The queen turns and walks over to a bag she set down by the door. "You, my brooding vampire, are getting a makeover."

"What?"

She nods and pulls a box from the bag, holds it up and gives it a little shake.

Clippers.

Hair clippers.

Beard trimmers.

It's a barber shop in a box and with the way she's looking at me, I fear I'm her target.

"What do you intend to do with that?"

"I intend to find your face. Duh!"

"That is not necessary. I know where my face is." I point to said face and start to panic a little. I did not anticipate this when I asked Posey to shop for me.

Posey narrows her eyes. "Don't be such a baby. If you want Gypsy to remember you then you need to look less like a wild animal and more like the man she fell in love with."

Again, the queen is not wrong.

But still. "Wouldn't Kai take up issue with you touching my face? I'm sure your mate would hate knowing your hands were on another." I start backing up as she moves toward me. "I'd hate to cause a rift between you two."

Yeah, I'm full of shit.

I live to instigate rifts, especially between my brothers and their mates.

But I have not been touched in any way by a female since my light and I'm not sure how I will react to it.