When I turn, Sniffer is standing two feet away from me. I jump back, slamming into the counter with my hip and scream from the shock. Luckily, I hadn’t picked up my coffee yet. I have a feeling he’d be wearing the scalding hot brew. He was so silent, I didn’t hear him sneak up behind me. “What are you doing!” I ask breathlessly. “You scared the piss outta me!”

Masen comes flying down the hallway and skids into the kitchen, naked and pissed. He has his brother pinned to the wall within seconds.

“Wait, wait!” I shout at Masen, who clearly isn’t even awake yet. I put my hand over the arm that holds Sniffer to the wall by his throat. He looks over and down to me, blinking, then he looks back to his brother’s purpling face before he lets go and takes a step back, pulling me with him.

“Why’d you scream?” his rough voice asks. He’s still eyeing Sniffer with distrust.

“I just got startled. I didn’t even know he was still here. I was making coffee, and when I turned around, he was just there. It freaked me out for a second. I’m sorry. It’s okay, really.” He folds his arms over his chest and watches as Sniffer shakes out his limbs and clears his throat, giving him a look that says he thinks it’s all his fault.

Remembering he doesn’t have clothes on, I grab the towel hanging from the stove and try to cover him. He scoffs and tosses the towel to the counter. My mouth hangs open at his unabashed nudity while Sniffer looks properly shamed. “I wasn’t trying to scare you, Sophie. You just didn’t hear me.”

I smack my hands down to my bare thighs. “Well, I know that now,” I cry. “I wasn’t trying to get you killed!” I rant to Masen who’s now looking at me like I’m the one who's naked traipsing through the house.

“Cass, go away! She’s not dressed.”

I motion to him, incredulous. “Are you joking?” I shake my head. “Good Lord, I need coffee to deal with you two.” When I retrieve my cup, I place it in the microwave to heat it back up. Masen places a full bottle of my favorite French vanilla creamer in front of me and kisses my mark. I swoon at the sweetness. “When did you get this?” I ask, happily accepting the jug.

“Last night, I knew you’d want it this morning.” His hand skims up the back of my thigh and lifts the shirt I’m wearing and squeezes my butt.

“Masen,” I admonish, looking around him to see where Sniffer is. The kitchen is empty. He must have left like Masen asked.

“While I love being able to touch every inch of you” —his hand skims around my hip and cups me— “I don’t want anyone else seeing what’s mine.” He nips my neck. “Please go put some pants on.”

I’d agree to just about anything right now, so I murmur, “Mm-hmm.”