“What?”
“You dumb? Your fucking wife. You told her I was going to kill her, you fuck.”
“Fuck, you are annoying. Go home. Or anywhere but here,” I say, groaning. “And why the fuck are you up so early?” I mumble, putting my head under the pillow.
“I didn’t see you yesterday after she threatened me, so here I am.” Something cold touches me, making me jump from the bed to find Lucas holding a glass in his hands.
“You asshole.” I bounce over the bed, but he’s already moving and gone before I can get to him. When I reach the stairs, he’s at the front door, then he flips me off before slamming the door shut.
Goddamn him! I walk to the kitchen to pour myself a coffee. If I could kill my cousin, I would. Fuck, he drives me crazy.
I get dressed, then head straight to the bookstore.
Adora is there with Merci, her head down while she sits on the floor sorting her books into piles. Her hair is cascading over her face, so I can’t fully see what she is looking at. She’s wearing shorts and a white shirt, totally relaxed and in her element.
“Joey,” Merci greets. She stands and bites her lip as she approaches me. “Hopefully, you can help. Your girl is stressed.”
“I’m not stressed,” Adora bites back, flicking her hair away from her face and looking at me.
It’s those eyes.
They hold me hostage and don’t want to let go.
No matter how hard I try.
“What’s the matter?” I ask.
“The supplier sent me the wrong order. These are meant to be dark romance, not sweet.” She points to the books in front of her. “We have sweet. What we need is dark. And when I called, all I got in reply was‘That’s what you ordered.’Asshole, that isnotwhat I ordered.” She slams one of the books shut. “Dark romance is hot. I need dark romance.”
“I think you’re living one.”
“You arenotfunny, Joey Rossi.” She gives me the evil eye.
“Ohhh, full name. Now you’re in trouble. Anyway, I’m off to get some much-needed caffeine. Drinks for you both?” Merci asks.
Adora doesn’t answer, but I nod my head. Sitting down in front of Adora and moving the books to one side, I reach for her legs and pull her to me, so her thighs rest over mine and her body is in front of me.
“Why are you being nice?” she asks, but before I can answer, her phone dings. She goes ramrod straight at the sound.
“Who’s messaging you?” I ask, searching her face.
“No one.” She turns away from me.
“If it’s a man, you can tell him I plan to be between those legs. And if anyone else even dares, I’ll cut their fucking head off.”
“I wish you would cut his head off,” she mumbles, but I hear her and reach for her phone. Moving forward, she rests her head on my chest. I pull her ass in closer, so she is sitting on my lap like a koala.
Opening the text, I read the first one.
You are such a slut.
Your father would be proud.
And he goeson for several more messages of nonsensical crap.
“Has he tried to call?”
“No,” she says into my chest. “You smell good.”