“I’ll tell you after the wedding,” I told her.
She made a soft, pained sound. “Whatever, Targen.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that statement so full of distrust, anger, and hurt. So, I hid behind a change of subject.
“My brother is sending someone here to grab whatever we can that might lead us to the people who did this,” I explained. “Let me take you to lunch. Then we can go shopping for whatever you think you needed out of there. I don’t want you to worry,milaya. Just... let yourself accept that you not alone in this. You not alone in anything.”
She sighed, frustration and pride and worry battling within her. The usually soft curve of her jaw was tight, betraying her internal conflict. “Fine. But I don’t have to like it.”
“Like it. Hate it. Just be in my presence, alright? I just want to be there for you.”
A soft laugh escaped her. “Oh,now, you wanna be there for me?”
I wasn’t giving it to her need to fight me. Instead, I offered her a half smile and the whole truth. “Yeah. I wanna be there for you.”
Opening the door, I slid out of the truck. I walked around to the driver’s door and opened it. For a moment, we just stared at each other. Finally, she nodded her unspoken agreement. After helping her out, I led her to the back seat. I looked up as Juvieand Mikhail emerged from the house, then buckled her in before kissing her forehead.
Juvie clapped loudly. “Glad you settled that, cuz a young cat like me is hungry. Got a taste for French or somethin’. Heard about this lil’ bistro I know Ms. Theory of Relativity will love. Thank me later,” he rattled.
I shook my head. He was ridiculous. And absolutely serious.
“This shit better be good,” I grumbled.
(Wednesday,June 11)
Soft, warm staccato presses interspersed with lazy little licks slowly crept up my spine—Lord, this man’s lips and tongue oughta be against the law. I lay there as Targen worked his way up my back, against my nape, across my shoulder.
“Theory,milaya, wake up,” he whispered, mouth pressed against the shell of my ear.
“No.”
My refusal was immediate, my voice sleep-rough as I squeezed my eyes shut like a stubborn child. I just wanted to lie here and luxuriate in his rich, warm scent and his sweet kisses. But that feeling ended the moment he spoke again.
“Yes. We have a lot to do this week before the wedding Saturday,” he announced.
My eyes flew open then.
“Real and Everly’s wedding is weeks from now, so unless you know someone else getting hitched?—”
“I do.”
“Good.”
I yawned, then indulged in a long, lazy stretch.
“Us,” he continued, making my body seize mid-motion, before I flipped to face him.
He sat on the side of the bed, going through the same movements he had the last few mornings. He always woke before me, and I wasn’t a late sleeper. He’d kiss my forehead and slide his body from under mine. No matter where I started each night, I somehow ended up tangled all around him the next morning. The next thing I remembered would be hazy images of him handling his morning routine before pressing a kiss against my lips and leaving.
“We’re having lunch so you can finally meet my crazy ass brother. Before?—”
“Targen, I haven’t agreed?—”
“You will,” he announced. He made me sick, all confident as he fastened the diamond and sapphire studded AP around his wrist. “You have things to do before lunch, so get up, baby.”
He stood, then leaned over me. His lips found mine as he rubbed, then lightly smacked, the outside of my thigh.
“You’re not supposed to touch me,” I said petulantly.
