Chapter 12
Angela
Holy fucking shitballs. What the fuckity fuck just happened? Garrett kissed me. Public enemy number one had his lips on mine…and I liked it.
He only did it to make a point. Not because he wanted to, but because he plays dirty.
And maybe I could have laughed it off and moved on if that was all that happened.
But that isn’t all.
He didn’t just kiss me.
Garrett Cooper looked at me like he owns me. Like he claims me. Like I belong to him and he fucking loves it. His kiss was heat and passion. It was raw and charged with energy.
I can still hear his voice rasping in my ear.
Hot.
Demanding.
I shiver just thinking about it.
I’ve never been kissed like that. Not once in all my life. I’ve never felt anything like the aftershocks of desire still coursing through me, my lower belly throbbing, begging for more.
As he returns to his seat and takes a drink, his shitty smirk reiterates he only kissed me to prove his point: sex and connection don’t go hand in hand.
But that isn’t the only point he made. I am now officially aware Garrett Cooper doesn’t play at my speed.
He kisses acquaintances like he’s ready to fuck and I don’t want a relationship without meaning…
Hold up now.
I don’t want a relationship…?
What the hell is that word doing in my head?
I hate the man. And what just happened is a bigger violation than anything that Tank guy said or did.
So why, in the name of everything holy, am I thinking of ways to make Garrett kiss me again?
Shouldn’t I be indignant? Disgusted? Maybe a little traumatized?
“So yeah. I think I see what you mean.” I run a hand through my hair and lick my lips, tasting a hint of whiskey. “Point made. You’re definitely not hurt after the Melinda thing.”
Garrett nods, his eyes blazing into mine and I have to do something if I’m going to regain my footing. I feel utterly out of control, like I’m tumbling down a hole without end, head over heels, over head, over heels.
I want to say I hate it…
No. I do hate it. I loathe it. I hate him.
I lift my chin. “For the record, don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Noted.” His voice is low. Tight. Almost a growl. He takes a long drink, then his eyes sparkle with dark humor. It’s like he knows I’m not gonna like what he’s about to say…and loves it. “Do you think we could do the other thing, though?”
My heart stutters. “Do I think we could do what other thing?”
“Work together. After everything we just shared.” His eyes cut my way, dancing with self-satisfaction.
“I know without a doubt we could work together because we haven’t shared anything.” Except a kiss that’ll fuel my fantasies for the next six months, but whatever.
“Good. Because I looked over the paperwork again. It’s good. I have as much faith in the project as I do in the Hutton Hotel itself. And that’s saying a lot.” He raises his glass, a rare smile gracing his face. “To bright futures.”
Grinning, I lift my glass to his. “And strong partnerships.”
And to the best kiss of my life, I think as I finish my gin and tonic in one long swallow.
It’s nearly eight o’clock by the time I get home and the flash of fur dashing off the front porch reminds me I forgot to put food out for Fluff and Orange before I left.
“Oh you guys! I’m so sorry.” I let myself into the house, drop my purse near the door, and grab the food before hurrying back outside. Fluff waits for me on the top step, keeping a watchful eye as I bend to scoop food into the first bowl.
“You know I’ve never been this late before. I just, well, I had a really confusing evening with a man I don’t even like.” I fill the second bowl, then step into the house, closing the screen door. The moment I’m inside, Fluff dashes over and chows down.
“And he doesn’t like me as much as I don’t like him,” I say as Orange slinks up the stairs.
That kiss said he likes me…
I laugh out loud at the thought. What is this? Elementary school? He doesn’t have to like me to want to sleep with me and the way he touched me? He wants me. There’s no way around that. A man doesn’t touch a woman like that unless he wants her.
But that could have been all for show. Garret Cooper is impossible to read. Besides, don’t men think with their dicks as a rule? Case in point, Tank the Friendly Date Rape Guy?
I watch as the kittens scarf down dinner. The fact that Fluff was on the porch while I was outside is a major win.
“We’re one step closer to the three of us being a big happy family,” I say as I stand and head into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water. Nick couldn’t get free for a video chat yesterday, but he promised he’d be good to talk today.
I step onto the back porch and curl into the love seat, sending him a text to see if he’s available.
The sunset slips the world into twilight, the rhythmic company of the ocean sparkling darkly.
It’s my favorite time of day. A time without responsibility or deadlines.
A time for resting. For relaxing. For simply being a creature on this earth, enjoying the beauty stretched before me.
After a few minutes, my phone lights up with a video call.
I hit accept and beam when Nick’s giant smile fills the screen.
I grin in return. “There’s my favorite face in the whole wide world.”
“Man.” His video jostles as he settles back in his chair. “It’s gonna hurt when you fall in love and that’s not true anymore.”
“I don’t think we need to worry about that any time soon.
Love isn’t in the cards for me. Not when I have a business that requires my full attention.
” Garrett’s face flashes through my mind, his eyes searing mine as he leaned in for that kiss.
I hear the rasp of his voice against my ear and my nipples pebble, my body tingling with the memory.
“Besides,” I say to Nick, pushing away the thoughts with an internal roll of my eyes. “No one could ever take your spot.”
“Correct answer.” He nods decisively. “Now, I believe you had a crazy story to share with me?”
“I do. But I want to hear about you first. How is it out there?”
What I’m really asking is “Are you gonna be okay? How safe are you?” but questions like that make Nick as uncomfortable as goodbyes.
He gives me his best non-answer, grinning widely as he navigates telling me about his days while avoiding anything that might clue me in on what he’s actually doing.
This is a man who loves what he does. His protective streak runs so wide, it encompasses the entire world.
He’s a ray of light in comparison to the murky darkness surrounding Garrett Cooper.
“What?” Nick asks, interrupting himself mid-sentence. “Did I say something weird? You’re smiling kinda funny.”
“I was just thinking about how hero-ing suits you. You look happy and that makes me happy.”
“Life is good, Angel. I have a job that gives me purpose. My family loves me, and I wake up content with my place on this beautiful rock hurling through space. Name one reason not to smile.”
You’re in danger every day.
You’re thousands of miles from the people who love you.
I might be in the process of ruining the business and the one person who always makes me feel better isn’t here.
The enemy kissed me today and I can’t stop thinking about ways to make him do it again.
“I guess there isn’t one,” I say, hoping he can’t see the lie in my smile.