Laughing again, he jumped up and threw a cell phone at me. “Kat’s been texting all night. You can deal with her while I shower. And no, you aren’t invited. Last night was too much of a temptation and right now we’re too pressed for time.”

Did that mean he would have given in to temptation if we’d had time?

Good glory!

His gaze remained on me, hot and needy, as he shut the bathroom door. The lock clicked.

Groaning, I sat up and looked over my phone’s text-riddled screen. There were twenty-three messages. In an effort to save my sanity, I responded to only my top five.

1. WHAT’S THIS I HEAR ABOUT U DYING? U’ve got 2 tell me about things like that. A good friend keeps her friends informed, even in the afterlife.

My response: I’m alive & well—promise!

2. Ali Bell. U have 5 secs 2 contact me or I’m stomping N2 UR room & killing U 4 reals...slight change of plan. Frost tied 1 of my hands 2 my bed. NEWS FLASH: that might have stopped me from leaving the room, but it won’t stop my convo w/U. UR welcome. But now he’s giving me dirty look. I’m thinking he has bondage fetish.

Response: Having read all UR texts before responding, I know what comes next, U lucky girl.

3. What has 2 thumbs and just died & went 2 heaven herself??? This girl! Frost gives good argument. He uses his hands!!

Response: THAT.

4. Srsly, tho. R U OK? Because I’ve just broken up w/Frosty as punishment 4 keeping me away from U.

Response: I really am OK. Promise!

5. UR the most annoying friend ever. Except 4 Frost. He’s worse. He keeps trying 2 take away my phone. Says I need 2 leave U alone & let U rest. As if! He doesn’t realize U’d B lost w/out me.

Response: I really am sorry about the delay! I was sleeping off the death thing J But now I need U 2 suck it up, take one 4 the team & put Frosty N a good mood. He’s gonna B w/me later, helping w/enemy, & he’s always a beast when U break up w/him.

My phone beeped, signaling a new message.

Kat: Fine. But only because U asked. UR lucky I heart U so much!

Me: I know!

Kat: UR also lucky I’m such a good friend. THE THINGS I DO 4 U! I guess I won’t give Frost the poem I wrote about him. Check it: Roses R red, violets R blue, I have five fingers, & the middle 1 is 4 U.

I chortled. Then I read the lyrical genius to Cole as he came out of the bathroom. He wore a clean black T-shirt and ripped-up jeans. Leather cuffs circled each of his wrists, and a chain hung from his waist. He looked good enough to eat.

Put that on the to-do list.

Grinning, he rubbed a towel through his damp hair. “That girl is a hot mess.”

“Yeah, but she’s loyal and sweet and funny,” I replied, “and if I wasn’t in love with you, and I was into girls, and she was into girls, I’d be all over her. Guaranteed Frosty wouldn’t stand a chance. She’s already assured me I’m irresistible.”

He stopped rubbing to peer at me with excitement. “Let’s pretend. Just for a day. You’re into girls.”

“Dude. You’d never win me back.” I gathered clean clothes and shouldered my way past him.

“But I’d have fun trying,” he said as I shut the door.

Chapter 21

SWEET SAVAGE LOVE

I showered, brushed my hair and teeth and dressed in a tight black shirt with long sleeves and hip-hugging jeans. Cole had left a stack of my weapons in the corner. Had even polished the daggers and loaded the gun. Maybe he could win me back after all.

When I exited, there was a note on the nightstand.

I’ve got to speak w/Ankh before we canvass the apartment building—he’s been secretly buying properties all over the state. Our new safe houses. Why don’t you eat breakfast and hang w/the girls? I’ll come get you when we’re ready to go.

Love, Cole.

P.S. You should probably give Kat a kiss when you see her. You know, to apologize for making her worry. Use tongue. I would.

Ha! In ColeHollandville, my lips belonged to him and him alone.

I made my way to the kitchen. Juliana and Camilla were there, chatting easily as Camilla buttered a piece of toast.

“—not fair,” Juliana was saying. “She’s nothing special.”

Great. “She” had to be me.

“That’s not for you to decide,” Camilla said, and the show of support threw me. “Besides, guys like Cole Holland do not date girls your age.”

“I’m only two years younger than Ali!”

“Yes, but teen years are just like dog years. To Cole, you’re nothing more than a newborn.”

Harsh.

Juliana thought so, too. “I am not!” she snarled. “You take that back.”

“Do you hear yourself? How immature you sound?”

The younger girl glowered.

“Anyway, you just need to wait it out,” Camilla continued blithely. “It’s not like those two are going to get married or anything. High-school romances never last.”

And that was more like the Camilla I knew.

I cleared my throat, and both girls turned to face me. Juliana flushed with embarrassment and anger, while Camilla blanked her features, revealing nothing.

“Leave everything out when you’re done,” I said.

“I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.” Juliana tossed her hair over her shoulder and flounced out of the room.

Brat.

“I’m in total breakfast mode,” Camilla said. “Why don’t I just make you a slice?”