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He helped Jimmy brush his teeth, rinse his mouth, and then put him to bed. Cold left to change into a set of modest pajamas while Jimmy stretched out to take up as much of the mattress as he could.

Cold snorted when he approached. “You have six seconds to move before I make you move.”

Groaning playfully, Jimmy rolled over to let Cold slide into bed beside him. The moment Cold was settled in, Jimmy cuddled back up to him. He buried his head in Cold’s shoulder and threw an arm over his chest.

Cold allowed it, his hand resting on Jimmy’s wrist. “Good night, Mr. Poe,” he said, eyes already closing. “Sleep well.”

“Good night… um…” Jimmy hesitated for a moment, not sure how to address Cold now.

“Rod,” Cold said softly, sensing Jimmy’s hesitation. “Here in my bed, you may call me Rod.”

“Good night, Rod.”

“Night.”

Chapter sixteen

Jimmy woke up to an empty bed and the ring was gone from the bedside table. His head throbbed, but he felt pretty good considering the events of last night. Grabbing Cold’s pillow, he hugged it tight and inhaled his scent.

Rod.

Cold had said he could call him Rod.

It was always two steps forward and one step back with Boss Cold, but Jimmy knew those steps backward were getting smaller every day. He rolled over to grab his phone, smiling when he saw he had a new message from Cold. There was no card this morning, he noticed.

That was odd.

Jimmy wondered if Cold had forgotten about it, though that seemed unlikely, as he flipped through his phone to get to the text message.

You have work today. Be there by noon.

I want you back by midnight. Do not be late.

-RL

Again, not a declaration of undying love, but at least he was going to see Cold tonight. Jimmy turned the camera on, feeling a little flirty. He made sure his robe was wide open, snapping a selfie of himself from the waist up, smiling sleepily at the camera.

He sent it to Cold with a quick message:

Can’t wait. ;)

He didn’t expect a response, but he waited a few moments anyway, hopefully watching his phone. He heard a door open, and he sat up as heavy footsteps approached. Jimmy tensed, frowning at the unfamiliar sound.

Definitely not Rowena.

The bedroom doors swung open and in walked Jules Price.

“Wow, um, hi.” Jimmy dropped his phone to his lap.

“Good morning, Twig,” Jules rumbled with a big smile. “Me and you get to spend quality time today, Boss’ orders.”

“Me and you?”

“Yup. Boss has a big meeting tonight, wants me to keep an eye on you.”

“Then who’s keeping an eye on Cold?”

“Ain’t you a sweet one. Trust me, he can handle himself. ’Sides, he’s got the rest of the Gentlemen with him. He’ll be just fine.”