Yeah. Maybe. I sat up, my hair tumbling around my shoulders. “We’ve got a lot to do today.”
Cole toyed with the end of a curling lock, as if he wouldn’t tolerate a total separation from me. “Yes, we do.” Then he gave the lock a gentle tug, disturbing my balance. As I fell on his chest, he rolled, pinning me to the mattress.
I glared up at him. “We are not doing what the fake people in books and movies do.”
“And that is?”
“Kissing before we brush our teeth. I don’t want you anywhere near my morning breath.”
“You trying to deny me my prize? I saved your life. Now I own it.”
“Well, the prize needs a good scrubbing.”
“But I want it prescrub.”
Not in a million years. “If we’re going to get technical, I owe Bronx a prize, too. We should call him in here and let him collect.”
“He prefers fruit baskets,” Cole replied, deadpan. “Ali?”
I went soft and dreamy. “Yes, Cole.”
“I’m about to do something you’ll claim you don’t like, but we’ll both know you’re desperate for more. Won’t we?” Then he pressed a hard kiss on my lips, and I squealed.
Laughing again, he jumped up and threw a cell phone at me. “Kat’s been texting all night. You can deal with her while I shower. And no, you aren’t invited. Last night was too much of a temptation and right now we’re too pressed for time.”
Did that mean he would have given in to temptation if we’d had time?
Good glory!
His gaze remained on me, hot and needy, as he shut the bathroom door. The lock clicked.
Groaning, I sat up and looked over my phone’s text-riddled screen. There were twenty-three messages. In an effort to save my sanity, I responded to only my top five.
1. WHAT’S THIS I HEAR ABOUT U DYING? U’ve got 2 tell me about things like that. A good friend keeps her friends informed, even in the afterlife.
My response: I’m alive & well—promise!
2. Ali Bell. U have 5 secs 2 contact me or I’m stomping N2 UR room & killing U 4 reals...slight change of plan. Frost tied 1 of my hands 2 my bed. NEWS FLASH: that might have stopped me from leaving the room, but it won’t stop my convo w/U. UR welcome. But now he’s giving me dirty look. I’m thinking he has bondage fetish.
Response: Having read all UR texts before responding, I know what comes next, U lucky girl.
3. What has 2 thumbs and just died & went 2 heaven herself??? This girl! Frost gives good argument. He uses his hands!!
Response: THAT.
4. Srsly, tho. R U OK? Because I’ve just broken up w/Frosty as punishment 4 keeping me away from U.
Response: I really am OK. Promise!
5. UR the most annoying friend ever. Except 4 Frost. He’s worse. He keeps trying 2 take away my phone. Says I need 2 leave U alone & let U rest. As if! He doesn’t realize U’d B lost w/out me.
Response: I really am sorry about the delay! I was sleeping off the death thing J But now I need U 2 suck it up, take one 4 the team & put Frosty N a good mood. He’s gonna B w/me later, helping w/enemy, & he’s always a beast when U break up w/him.
My phone beeped, signaling a new message.
Kat: Fine. But only because U asked. UR lucky I heart U so much!
Me: I know!
Kat: UR also lucky I’m such a good friend. THE THINGS I DO 4 U! I guess I won’t give Frost the poem I wrote about him. Check it: Roses R red, violets R blue, I have five fingers, & the middle 1 is 4 U.
I chortled. Then I read the lyrical genius to Cole as he came out of the bathroom. He wore a clean black T-shirt and ripped-up jeans. Leather cuffs circled each of his wrists, and a chain hung from his waist. He looked good enough to eat.
Put that on the to-do list.
Grinning, he rubbed a towel through his damp hair. “That girl is a hot mess.”
“Yeah, but she’s loyal and sweet and funny,” I replied, “and if I wasn’t in love with you, and I was into girls, and she was into girls, I’d be all over her. Guaranteed Frosty wouldn’t stand a chance. She’s already assured me I’m irresistible.”
He stopped rubbing to peer at me with excitement. “Let’s pretend. Just for a day. You’re into girls.”
“Dude. You’d never win me back.” I gathered clean clothes and shouldered my way past him.
“But I’d have fun trying,” he said as I shut the door.
Chapter 21
SWEET SAVAGE LOVE
I showered, brushed my hair and teeth and dressed in a tight black shirt with long sleeves and hip-hugging jeans. Cole had left a stack of my weapons in the corner. Had even polished the daggers and loaded the gun. Maybe he could win me back after all.
When I exited, there was a note on the nightstand.
I’ve got to speak w/Ankh before we canvass the apartment building—he’s been secretly buying properties all over the state. Our new safe houses. Why don’t you eat breakfast and hang w/the girls? I’ll come get you when we’re ready to go.
Love, Cole.
P.S. You should probably give Kat a kiss when you see her. You know, to apologize for making her worry. Use tongue. I would.