“Closing, around one,” I answered him.
I felt him stiffen slightly. “Youalways work those kinds of hours?”
“No,” I said. “But the tips are bestwith the night crowd so I take it when the opportunity presents itself,” Iexplained softly as he continued to stroke my hair.
“Youwannatell me who you think broke in here last night?” he asked, his voicedeceptively soft.
I lifted my head and met his seriousgaze, now aware of how close his lips were to mine, how good his body feltunderneath me. “I think I’ve met my quota of sharing for the day,” I repliedquietly as he gazed up at me.
“I’ll give you that for today,” heallowed.
“Gee, thanks,” I said as I forced asarcastic smile.
He ignored my flippant tone and staredup at me, his hand still drifting through my hair. I shocked myself yet againby leaning in and pressing my lips to his. I’d never made the first move with aguy before. I figured I’d had a rough few days, so I could allow myself this,even if it meant that I had to steel my resolve against him later. History orno history, I was far more comfortable with the wall I’d built snugly aroundmyself.
His grip tightened in my hair as hislips opened, his tongue meeting mine. It was just seconds before he rolled usso that he was on top taking control of the kiss in a way that nearlydevastated me. I’d never been kissed like this. My entire body began to hum andtingle as our tongues tangled in the most natural yet exhilarating way. I wassuddenly very aware that I was wearing only a robe, and I found myself hopinghe would dive into it to explore. Something told me that Cole would be able tomake my body feel things that I’d never felt before. My hand slid up underneathhis shirt wanting to touch his bare skin. He groaned softly as my hand exploredthe contours of his muscles and surprisingly soft skin.
“Cole! I’m done man,” Sal holleredfrom the living room breaking the moment.
“Shit,” Cole breathed, his lipsagainst mine. We were both breathing hard as he leaned back to look at me. Hetraced my lower lip with his thumb before he reluctantly hauled himself off ofme and stalked out of the room to talk with Sal.
I took a moment to collect myself. Myheart was hammering in my chest, my nipples were aching, and I couldn’t believehow damp I was in between my legs just from kissing. I sat up and quickly threwon my clothes, trying to convince myself I was grateful that the moment hadbeen broken before I allowed something more to happen.
I emerged from the bedroom fullydressed as Sal was issuing his final instructions.
“Sal, this is Scarlet,” Coleintroduced.
Sal looked over at me and gave me achin lift. He was incredibly handsome, with jet black hair and dark eyes. Hehad slightly olive skin and a few days worth of scruff. A tattoo snaked its wayout of his T-shirt and up his neck. Kat generally liked preppy guys, but thereweren’t many women who wouldn’t be attracted to Sal. My eyes swung to her and Isuddenly realized why she’d been so eager to chat him up. She shrugged at meand winked. I stifled a laugh. A quick last sweep of his attire confirmed thathe was part of the MC as well.
“Thanks for doing this,” I repliedawkwardly.
“Not a problem,” his deep voicerumbled.
He headed out after giving Kat a quicknod. She blushed in response-- something I’dneverseen her do.
Shit. The last thing we needed was tohave two broken hearts under one roof.
Cole took the time to show Kat and Ithe alarm system, making us repeat back his instructions over and over againuntil we were both rolling our eyes.
Once satisfied, Cole grabbed hisjacket. “I’ll see you later, got shit to do,” he told me swiftly and grasped myneck. But this time, he accompanied the squeeze with a soft, swift kiss.
No way. There shouldn’t be a “later.”This was a good place to call it quits.
“Um, what do you mean ‘later’?” Iasked quietly.
He looked down at me with amusement.“I mean I’ll see youlater,” hereplied, his voice barely above a whisper. That tone wreaked serious havoc onme.
“Um, I’m working later and then I’msleeping. So maybe we should just…” I drifted off suddenly nervous.
He just chuckled and shook his headgiving me another neck squeeze.
“Later, Kat,” he called over hisshoulder as if I hadn’t spoken.
“Later,” she replied, fighting backlaughter as he left.
“Don’t even say it,” I ordered sternly,spinning to face her.
“Scar, there’s so much to say Iwouldn’t even know where to start!” She grinned from ear to ear.
