“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow. At least Lyn and Lila are driving now, so it won’t be so bad not having you around to take us places.” Danielle looks over at me from the other side of the couch, giggling softly and knowing damn well she’s going to miss more than my driving them around.
I throw the game controller down next to me and look over at her. God, she really is beautiful. I should feel guilty feeling these thoughts about her. She’s my little sisters’ best friend, practically family. Hell, her brother IS my best friend. It’s a line I shouldn’t cross. God, that makes me feel like such a sicko. I feel like all I do lately is remind myself I shouldn’t be lusting after her. She’s just about to turn fifteen and I’m leaving to start my freshman year at the University of Georgia.
But I can deny it all I want. There’s a connection I’ve always felt between us—wanted or not.
There’s nothing normal about what I feel for Danielle Reid.
“So that’s all I am to you? Huh, Dani? Just a ride from point A to point B?”
She blushes, and I swear I feel it all the way to my dick. I should be ashamed for feeling this way about it. For craving this girl as much as I do. I should be out running around town and sinking inside of all the chicks who want to send me off to school in style.
Hell, I’m no damn saint, which really makes me feel like I’m never going to be good enough for Dani.
Plus, her father would kill me.
Not just kill me. He would kill me and my family would never find the body.
Yeah, Axel Reid is a man who I’ve always known would tear apart anyone who tried to touch his daughter.
“No, Co . . . You’re more than that. A lot more than that.” She blushes again and looks away quickly.
Uh, say what?
“Dani? I’m no good at reading between the lines. I might have two little sisters, but unfortunately they never taught me much about how y’all’s minds work.”
She looks over at me, her green eyes bright with emotion, and clears her throat a few times, pushing her long raven hair behind her ears before talking. I can see the nervousness rolling off of her tiny body.
“Can I be honest with you, Cohen?”
“Oh course, Dani. You know that.”
Her eyes widen when she hears my sisters start yelling from upstairs. It won’t be long before they fly down the basement stairs to where we’re sitting like two twin tornados of sass.
“If you don’t want those two overhearing you, now would be a good time, Dani.”
She blushes more. “I’m going to miss you, Cohen. I know you don’t look at me like I look at you, but one day, you’re going to come back and I’ll still be waiting for you. Waiting for you to see me like I see you. Mark my words, Cohen Cage. One of these days, you’re going to be mine. And until you’re ready . . . I’ll be here. I’ll be waiting.”
Before I can even get a breath in my lungs to respond, Frick and Frack come running into the room, talking about who knows what. I just sit there frozen, my jaw slack and my eyes on Dani. Before I know it, they’re pulling Dani off the couch and running out the back of the house.
What the hell just happened?
The End
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’m going to keep this short and sweet this time. (Yeah, right!)
First and foremost, to my husband and daughters. Thank you for putting up with my own special brand of crazy while I’m in the middle of writing a book. You put up with a crazy messy house, my moments of complete space-outs and comatose mornings after bring up all night working. I don’t know what I would do without you guys.
To the best damn PA in the world, Danielle Calcote. Without you, I honestly don’t know what I would do. You keep me from needing one of those fancy straight jackets. #SJ Thank you, from the bottom of my cold heart, for everything that you do for me day in and day out. Don’t let this go to your head . . . but you pretty much are always right. (I can hear Lara yelling at me now for feeding that ego)
Mickey Reed—Girlfriend, you are a gem! You took me in, fixed my mess, and handed him back with a beautiful bow. Your notes are invaluable and I’m looking forward to where we go next. Now, forgive me for not letting you edit this. ;)
To my betas, my team of kick ass ladies that help make my books better and better. I love you ladies more than you could ever know. Danielle, Debi, Amber, Elle, Becky, and Lara. THANK YOU, I love you all!
Katie Mac. I’m not really sure I could ever thank you enough. You held my hand and love me like one of your own. I love you to pieces.