Page 41 of Mortal Shift
“We have access to the best doctors in the country,” he said. “And her room at the unit is better than that crappy apartment the two of you were living in.”
“…Thank you,” I eventually managed. He barked a laugh and his face hardened again.
“I didn’t do it for you, princess. Let’s be clear about something. You have no reason to run now, and if you do, my father will send your mom right back where he found her. Or maybe he won’t, if you know what I mean.”
“You asshole.” I reached up to slap his face but he snapped his hand out and grabbed my wrist, jerking it to a halt and squeezing hard enough to send a sharp lance of pain through my arm. I hissed and he sneered at me and dropped my arm.
“Hey, it’s not all bad, princess. Mommy is living a life of luxury, and now you have a good incentive to make sure my family doesn’t look weak. That’s a win-win.”
A life of luxury? Sure, that might sound good…if my mother wasn’t now surrounded by a literal pack of wolves.
“I want to see her.”
“And I want world peace.” He shrugged. “Learn to live with the disappointment.”
“So what, I’m just supposed to take your word for it?”
“Take my word, don’t take my word.” He shrugged. “Makes no difference to me. It won’t change where she is.”
“Dickhead.”
He stepped in, towering over me again so I had to tilt my head back to carry on glaring at him…and something told me that was a bad idea. The coldness in his eyes sent heat prickling across the back of my neck, and I battled the urge to swallow, because like hell was I going to let him know how much he intimidated me.
“You might want to watch your mouth, princess.”
“Oh really? And why’s that?”
His head ducked down and his mouth crashed into mine, crushing my lips with his. His hand fisted in my hair, holding me to him, and I froze for a half second before kissing him back, moaning against him as my body gave in to his delicious scent, and my need to be touching and holding and covered in him. I pressed myself against his taut chest, my hands looping behind his back to feel his powerful shoulders, tugging him closer to me.
Another moan slipped from my mouth to his, and I felt his ragged possessive growl vibrate into my mouth as his tongue plundered me, demanding my submission, demanding my all. But I wasn’t ready to submit. Not to him. Not to anyone. My body craved his dominance, his strength, his power, but I needed more. I needed tobemore. My tongue did battle with his until we were both breathless as we tore at each other’s clothes with abandon.
Cool air nipped at my shoulder as the fabric of my t-shirt tore beneath his demanding hands, raising goosebumps across my exposed flesh. A sharp breath burned its way up my throat, and I tore my lips from his long enough to gasp,
“We’re outside!”
“So?” he growled, reclaiming me. I pulled back again.
“So…someone might…see.” And I was finding it harder to remember why that mattered by the second.
“So?”
My body molded to his in agreement, some inner part of me purring in satisfaction. So what if someone saw? Let them see. Let them watch him claim me, and me claim him, and let the whole world know I was his. Forever.
Wait,what?
I drew back again, breaking his hold on me, and staggering back from his grip. He growled in frustration and the predator lurked behind his eyes, but he made no move to close the gap between us. I stood there, almost-exposed chest heaving as I stared at him, trying to understand what had come over me. I’d never felt need like that before.
Cole shot me a possessive smirk.
“That’s one way to say thank you,” he said. “I’ll look forward to continuing the conversation.”
“I…what?” My brow furrowed but before I could formulate some sort of coherent reply, or even finish processing his words for that matter, he’d turned on his heel and was gone. Well, like hell was I going to let him think Iwantedany of this. Wantedhim.I didn’t kiss him—he was the one who kissed me. And I wasn’t thanking him. And I had no intention of thanking him, whether he’d done this for my gratitude or not—and he’d made that perfectly clear. It was about the only thing clear between us, in fact.
I made it all of one step after him before the shredded flap of my t-shirt reminded me exactly how close to being naked I was. No way could I turn up to class looking like this. Dammit.
I wasn’t sure what bothered me more—that he’d done that to me… or that he’d stopped.
“Stupid treacherous body,” I muttered to myself in disgust.
