Page 5 of Double Edged Hearts
Chapter One
Cora
Bright sunlight spills in through the window as I roll onto my side.
I shield my eyes from the glare and turn back so I can sit up and open my eyes without the impending sun beaming down on me.
It’s when I do that that I remember last night and realize I’m by myself.
I look at the empty space next to me where Alex lay. The scent of him is still there. It’s powerful and masculine just like him.
I already know not to look around. I can tell he’s gone.
His presence isn’t here anymore.
Last night was amazing, but with the dawn of a new day came the highlight of reality.
I’m not theCoraline Monroehe knew years ago. He full named me last night. Everybody calls me Cora. The only person to full name me the way he did is dead.
My mother. She used to do that when she was mad at me. After the fate she suffered, I’m not sure what she would have called my behavior last night.
I’m in Chicago for work. That is why I’m here. Christ, if anyone knew I was with a guy who could be called into questioning at any time I’d lose my job straight away.
I’m not the person I used to be and I need to remember that too when it comes to my heart. When Alex last saw me, I was just the computer hacker who did jobs for whomever could fill my pockets. I chose who I worked for, whether that was the cops or criminals. I foolishly thought that not everybody who was classed as acriminalwas such, but I was wrong.
Learning the truth about my father, certainly taught me a lesson I’ll never forget. My story is so twisted. The rude awakening I got years ago made me realize there are no good criminals.
Alex and I have been screwing around in this game since I was twenty. I’m twenty-eight now, and I actually don’t know if I’m any better or worse for the sparse contact we’ve had.
I release a labored sigh and hug my knees to my chest.
Which should I be more mad at myself for? Sleeping with him in the first place or the fact that I had wild unprotected sex with him all night.
Thank God I’m on the pill. It’s a lifesaver. I can’t say I’d think about anything like that when I’m with him. That’s the problem. I don’t think.
I’m not stupid. It’s just the loss of control. I know it’s shooting myself in the foot because being on the pill isn’t the only thing to consider when you have sex the way we did. I’m certain he’s had his host of women in the four-year span we’ve been apart. I’ve been with people too. I shouldn’t kid myself into thinking we’re a couple, because we aren’t, and now I need to figure out what I’m supposed to do when I see him again.
After last night I know seeing him is inevitable.
I slide off the bed and my eyes nearly pop out of my head when I glance at the clock on the wall and see it’s nine o’clock.Nine o’clock, as in I need to be at work in forty-five minutes and I’m going to be late as fuck.
Shit.
I run to the bathroom and take a quick shower, then I drag on my clothes lightning fast. I keep my hair down because it’s easier, then apply some tinted moisturizer and sweep over my lashes with mascara. I don’t look my usual, but I can make this work.
There’s a knock at the door, and I nearly jump out of my skin.
I rush over to answer it and find a very annoyed-looking Lyndsey standing before me holding a box of donuts.
“You should be glad I’m your friend,” she scoffs and pretends to pout, although I think the pout looks real enough because she’s genuinely annoyed. It’s then I remember I was supposed to meet her for breakfast.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I say, bringing my hands up to my cheeks.
One of the things I liked about her when we first met was her love for sugar. It’s worse than mine. She’s my partner, and when we got placed on this assignment, we were grateful that we could support each other’s sugar cravings. It helps for the tough cases.
She saunters past me and looks around the apartment suite like she’s checking for something.
“Did you see Zack?” she asks, looking at me with narrowed slits, her bright blue eyes curious.
