Chloe snatched the heavy kettle, giving Grayson a long, suspicious glare before turning toward the cabin kitchen. "I am officially documenting this in my mental journal," she grumbled, her voice echoing from inside the house. "Day one of off-grid survival: I am reduced to water fetcher while the ancient dark lord flirts by the woodpile."
Mailah laughed softly, her shoulders shaking as she looked up at Grayson. "You really shouldn't pick on her so much."
"I am not picking on her," Grayson replied with total seriousness, his large hand sliding down from her waist to lightly take her fingers in his. "I am instilling appreciation for basic utilities. It is an educational service."
"Right. Educational," Mailah whispered, leaning up on her tiptoes to press a quick, playful kiss to the corner of his jaw. "Come on, Lord Lumberjack. Let's go see if the stove actually works."
