Page 14 of X's and O's

Stupid rule two. I sighed. “No witnesses.”

He glanced over at the woman. “And what is she?”

I knew how to answer that. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” I threw her my most charming smile.

She blinked in what might have been terror…

Scythe groaned. “He’s been like this ever since he saw her. He’s turned into a walking, talking Hallmark card. It’s disturbing, and that’s saying something coming from someone who is pretty disturbed himself.”

Gray ran a hand through his hair, a clear sign he was frustrated with me. “Okay, that’s enough murder high for you.” He turned to the woman and smiled at her. “Hi. I’m Gray.”

She eyed him warily, wrapping her arms around herself. “You a psycho murderer too?”

“Nope, a doctor. Only thing I’m psycho about is when people chew with their mouths open.”

I gagged. “Why bring that up, Gray? That’s so revolting. And I’m trying to impress her! Not make her want to puke.”

Gray and the woman both ignored me.

He studied her, being all doctory and professional. “How you doing over there?”

She didn’t give him an inch. “Been better, honestly. I was just here to clean a house when I was attacked. Now I’m a witness to a murder, I’m in my underwear—”

“Which you look superhot in!” I added.

“Not helpful,” Gray hissed in my direction.

What did I say wrong? She did look hot. It was a compliment.

The woman threw up her hands. “And for the cherry on top, apparently I have a psycho in love with me.”

Scythe held up a hand for me to high-five. “Hey, she acknowledged your feelings!”

I slapped his palm. “Progress!” But not as much as I wanted. I turned back to her. “I still don’t know your name though.”

Gray started unbuttoning his shirt. “And she’s not going to give it to you either.”

“What he said,” the woman added.

“Can she give it to me after theMagic Mikeshow then?” I stared at Gray’s naked chest. “I didn’t bring my dollar bills, Doc. Please put your nipples away.”

He shrugged his shirt off and held it out to her. “Here. Take this.”

Something turned over in my stomach. Jealousy, but it mixed with something primal. Before I knew what I was doing, I had my fingers wrapped around Gray’s wrist, digging one into the pressure point that released his fingers.

He yelped, and his shirt fell to the floor. He stared at me in shock.

I’d never so much as laid a finger on him in the past.

I leaned in close, my voice low. “She’s not wearing your clothes.”

He glanced at me, holding my gaze for a long moment. Understanding passed between us.

I let him go.

The woman watched the exchange with pure terror in her eyes, and I knew I’d fucked up. Scared her all over again.

Dammit. Gray needed to stop being such a baby. It’s not like I broke his arm.