Page 17 of Stolen Summer

“I’m returning your shirt,” I hissed through gritted teeth, confused by his cold exterior when he was usually so damn flirty.

He said nothing, glaring at me with gold eyes that had no heat behind them, only coldness. His body still trapped me against the wall, but at least the fingers at my throat were no longer threatening but more of a caress, which was ludicrous. It had to be my mind reading more into the situation, and that said a lot about the state of my mind.

“You mean the one you stole?”

“Borrowed,” I amended. How could someone get so hung up on a freaking shirt? Did it have sentimental meaning or something? Was it worth a week of my pay? I couldn’t figure him out. The lights flickered, but in my haze of anger, I thought little about them. “A thank-you wouldn’t be difficult to muster.”

His fingers glided down the column of my neck. “You want me to thank you for returning what was taken without my permission?” The pad of his thumb brushed over my collarbone.

Little electric currents sparked where he touched, and I cursed my traitorous body. Why is he still touching me? “Get your fingers off my throat before I whack your dick off with a dull kitchen knife.”

Cole leaned in closer, his breath like an invisible kiss on my cheek. “Hmm. Surprising. I think I like this side of you, Killer.”

He smelled slightly different. Perhaps a new cologne. Still a tantalizing scent. “I’m pretty sure I loathe you.”

His mouth twitched, the most emotion he’d shown. “We’ll see.”

“No, we won’t.” I needed to leave. Now. This wasn’t the Cole I’d been in the car with not even an hour ago. What happened between now and then that caused him to get this upset? Who had he gone to see? And where was his SUV?

I lifted my hands pressed into the back of the wall, running them up his chest, trying not to get distracted by the muscles I felt there. Taking my bottom lip between my teeth, I watched his eyes warm, an emotion I recognized well flashing in them.

That’s when I struck. Palms flattening just below his pecs, I shoved, gaining enough space I could breathe easier. A grin curved on his lips. I dragged my gaze away from him, glancing at the kitchen and searching for something sharp.

Before I could dart to the side, Cole moved into my path as if he read my mind. I scowled, my fists clenching at my sides. I should put one into his rock-hard abs, and I considered it before discarding the thought. As much as I wanted to hurt him, I didn’t want to hurt my hand.

I glared.

He chuckled under his breath. “I might have underestimated you, Killer.”

“Most do. Now get out of my?—”

A series of beeps echoed from down the hall. Cole stiffened, his eyes flashing toward the double doors I’d snuck through. Click. Click. Click. Stupefied, I watched as automatic shutters locked into place over all the doors and windows, but they weren’t like the ones we had. These were advanced and looked a hell of a lot sturdier. They reminded me of something a person would use if the world was ending—indestructible and impenetrable, which gave me a disturbing thought.

If nothing could get in, did that also mean nothing could get out?

Cole and I shared a glance, and I didn’t like what I saw in his features. The frown deepened on his lips.

“What just happened?” I demanded.

“The security system triggered,” he replied, his voice like a cold winter.

The lights flickered again. “Did you do whatever that was?” My hands flung out toward the double doors now completely sealed off.

Cole shook his head, shoving a hand into his hair. “No. I was on my way to activate it but found you instead.”

“Then how did it get turned on?” I complained.

“How should I know,” he retorted and moved to check the door. His hand went for the handle, twisting it, but nothing happened, except for a sharp frown curving on his lips. “It set itself into hurricane mode.”

“That’s a thing?” I tossed over my shoulder, moving to the window above the kitchen. The damn thing wouldn’t budge, but it didn’t stop me from trying.

Cole watched me with pinched brows. “Yeah. One of many safety features my father had installed.”

Giving up, I leaned against the counter. “Who the hell are you people?”

This time when the lights quivered, they extinguished, along with everything that ran on electricity. The power went out, and we were suddenly submerged in total darkness.

“Fuck,” I cursed, my fingers moving to the edge of the sink so I could keep my bearings.

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