Evans, Gabrielle - Upon Crimson Waters [Fatefully Yours 2] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever ManLove) by Gabrielle Evans

rouse him from his sleep.
    Eyce groaned quietly as his eyelashes fluttered against his creamy cheeks, but he didn’t open his eyes.
    “C’mon, big guy.” Echo pushed the dark hair back from Eyce’s face and trailed his fingertips from temple to jaw. The man really was gorgeous. Stepping closer, he bent at the waist, pressing his lips to the corner of Eyce’s mouth.
    “Mmm, I like this dream,” Eyce mumbled. He finally opened his eyes and sat up slowly, rubbing a hand over his face and yawning. “What time is it?”
    “A little after six. You’ve been in here forever.” Echo motioned to the plate sitting on the desk. “I brought you dinner.”
    Eyce didn’t even look. He wrapped his hands around Echo’s waist and pulled him into his lap. “How are you feeling?”
    Echo cuddled close and kissed the underside of Eyce’s jaw. “Much better. What were you dreaming about?”
    “The Oracle.”
    “She’s nice, huh?”
    Eyce snorted. “I guess that’s one way to put it. Frustrating, infuriating, confusing—those would be better descriptions. I don’t understand why she has to talk in circles all the time.”
    Echo rolled his eyes. “You mean you don’t know why she can’t just give you all the answers on a silver platter.”
    “Exactly.” Eyce said it with such vehemence, Echo had to slap a hand over his mouth to muffle his laughter. “It’s not funny,” Eyce grumbled.
    “I know,” Echo said when he finally felt in control of himself. “You’re just really cute when you pout.” He pushed up straight and looked into Eyce’s eyes. It still bothered him that he couldn’t ever pinpoint what color his men’s eyes were. They all looked the same—just a big swirl of everything.
    “I’m not pouting,” Eyce argued, even as his bottom lip slid out and began to tremble.
    Echo slapped at his chest. “I think finding the answers is half the battle. It wouldn’t mean nearly as much if you just had all the information gift wrapped with a pretty bow.”
    “Now you sound like her. What is that supposed to mean?”
    Echo didn’t know how to explain what he meant. Hell, he wasn’t even sure he understood it himself. He hadn’t meant to speak the words. They’d just slipped through his lips without thought. Knowing his sulky demon wouldn’t let it go, he decided a distraction was in order.
    Pushing up straighter, he pulled Eyce’s mouth to his in a scorching kiss. “It means you talk too much,” he panted long minutes later. “And it also means you’re missing a meeting in the kitchen. They kicked me out.”
    “They’re talking about the lab,” Eyce said distractedly as he tried to chase Echo’s retreating lips.
    “The lab? Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Echo scrambled down from Eyce’s lap and fisted his hands on his hips as he glared. “Tell me what’s going on.”
    Eyce dropped his forehead to the desk with a loud thud and growled. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.”
    “Too late and tough shit. I want to know what’s going on, and why you all felt the need to keep it from me. I’m not a child, and I’m not fucking stupid. Besides, you’re going to need my help.”
    Yeah, he was pissed off, but a small part of him was hurt that his men hadn’t trusted him with this. He wracked his brain, but couldn’t come up with a single reason they would have for not confiding in him. They were supposed to be on the same side.
    “Stop it,” Eyce demanded without lifting his head. “We just didn’t want to worry you. No one has any ideas of how to stop those assholes. We just wanted to have a plan in place before we brought you in on it. That’s all, I swear.”
    “Cat’s out of the bag now, so I’m coming with you.” Echo slapped his hand on the desk. “Move your ass.” Then he turned and marched out of the room without a backward glance. Either Eyce would follow him, or he wouldn’t. Whatever.
    Entering the kitchen, he didn’t think it was his imagination that all