“Was that your plan all along?” I ask as we start up the stairway. “To make me hate every other nickname so that I’ll be okay with you calling me pretty Raven?”

He presses his hand to his chest, but the corners of his lips twitch. “Now, why would I ever do something like that?”

I shake my head, biting back a smile. It’s a weird sensation for me to be smiling, but it seems to be a growing occurrence around him.

“I think I won that round,” Hunter remarks, grinning as he quickens his pace toward the top of the stairway.

I internally sigh then shiver as Jax leans up behind me, putting his lips close to my ear. “I think we should come up with a plan on how we’re going to embarrass him because, personally, I’d really like to make him eat his own words.”

I peer around at him. We’re so close that are lips nearly brush, but he makes no effort to slant back. Still, I can see a trace of a smile on his face.

“Yeah, I totally agree. But I have a feeling it’s going to be super complicated,” I whisper, hoping Hunter can’t hear us.

“It will be,” Jaxon agrees. Then he pauses, wetting his lips with his tongue as he casts a glance at Hunter before looking back at me. “I think you’re the key, though.”

“Really?” I say with skepticism.

He nods, strands of his inky black hair falling into his eyes. “Yeah. I’ve seen him squirm a few times around you.”

“When?”

“One time was when we were talking about Katie.”

“Oh yeah, I kind of remember that,” I say. “I just don’t know why.”

Jax just offers me a small smile then gives my hand a squeeze. “I’ll think of something, but right now, let’s just focus on getting you set up for the night.”

“I agree,” Hunter intervenes. “And FYI, the next time you guys try to have a private conversation about me, you might want to try it someplace private.” He chuckles to himself as we start down a hallway that’s at the top of the stairs.

“Laugh all you want,” I mock as I follow him, “but you’re so going down.”

“You know what, even if I do, it might be worth it,” Hunter quips as he slows down in front of a closed door.

“Why’s that?” I ask, slowing to a stop with him.

“Because you seem happy plotting this,” he explains, meeting my gaze. “And if getting my ass handed to me means you continue to be happy, then I’m down with that.” He smiles at me, and it’s a real smile, not even an ounce of playfulness evident.

I’m oddly touched and am about to say something that might make me sound like a softy, but he distracts me by opening the door.

“You’re palace, pretty Raven.” He unloops his arm from mine and gives an exaggerated gesture to the room while bowing.