Chapter Seven
Dawn was just breaking when Cole decided to wake Angel up. She lay on her side, and he had his arms wrapped around her from behind. He pressed soft kisses along her neck, working his way up to her ear. He whispered, “Wake up, baby doll.”
She stretched like a cat and rolled to her back. He leaned over her and continued nuzzling her neck. Her hands slid up his warm back, and she moaned.
He rose up and smiled down at her. “Mornin’, babe.”
“Good morning.” She squinted. “What time is it?”
He glanced at the bedside clock radio. “Six.”
She groaned. “It’s so early. Do you have to leave again?”
“Why?” he asked.
“I just thought maybe we could spend some time together.”
“Maybe we can.”
“Maybe?”
He smiled devilishly. “Convince me.”
She ran her hands over his chest and leaned up to kiss his neck. “Like this?”
“You’ll have to do better than that, babe.”
“Is that a challenge?” she whispered in his ear.
“Maybe.” He grinned.
She smiled, pushed him over on his back and straddled him. He tried to reach for her, but she grabbed his hands and pushed them down on the pillow next to his head, pinning him there.
He grinned, playing along. “I’m all yours, baby. Now what?”
She smiled, lowered her head and kissed his mouth. Her lips moved down his neck, his chest. She slithered down, and his eyes slid closed.
It was a long time before either one of them thought about getting out of bed.
Hours later they laid wrapped in each other’s arms. Cole was on his back; Angel was draped across his chest. He was kissing her, over and over, his mouth gentle on hers.
“Hmm,” she moaned. “Your kisses are sweet as candy and very addictive.”
Cole grinned. “Hooked yet?”
“Oh, yeah. Big time.”
“Good, because I don’t plan on you going through withdrawal anytime soon.”
She grinned back.
“Come on, babe. Time to get up. Let’s go,” Cole said, reaching down and playfully slapping Angel’s ass.
“Ow! Go where?” she asked, sitting up.
Cole stood and pulled on his jeans. Then he reached back and pulled her to her feet. “Breakfast to start. Then we’ll see. Maybe drive down the coast for a few days. Would you like that?”
She smiled. “Really? Just us?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“You can go?”
“Yeah. Come on.” He tossed her a paper bag. “Throw a change of clothes in there, and I’ll stuff it in my saddlebag.”
“Nice luggage.”
He grinned. “Smart ass.”
***
Twenty minutes later they were pulling into a diner for breakfast. Angel noticed people turn to stare as they walked in. There were two cops sitting at the counter, their eyes following every movement.
Cole steered her to a booth by the window. A waitress came over with two mugs in her hand and a thermal carafe.
“Coffee?” she offered.
“Thanks, darlin’,” Cole replied, smiling up at her.
Angel noticed the way the young redhead returned the smile.
She poured their coffee and left the carafe on the table. “The usual, Cole?”
“Give us a minute, Mona.” She glanced over at Angel.
“Sure thing, sweetie.” She walked off, Cole’s eyes flicking over his shoulder to watch.
“I’m sitting right here,” Angel reminded him.
He scoffed, “What?”
Her eyebrows rose.
“Come on. She’s Red Dog’s kid sister.”
“Yeah. So?”
“So, she’s off limits. Besides, I’ve got my hands full with you, baby doll,” he purred.
“So what are you checking her out for, then?” she teased.
“No harm in lookin’, is there?” Cole grinned, sipping his coffee. He took two plastic coated menus from behind the condiment holder next to the window and slid one across to her. “I recommend the blueberry pancakes.”
Angel opened the menu and studied it.