I had a lot of patience. I had to. I herded Speedo-wearing morons all day. But this? This was testing me.
Golden supple skin. Softness with just a hint of definition. A sparkling gem in the center, begging for my tongue…
It looked just like the image on Bangr that I could not get out of my head.
The universe couldn’t possibly be this cruel.
You’re living proof it is.
“This?” Bodhi said, snapping me back into reality. One where he fingered the diamond. “You don’t like it?”
I choked. “No,” I deadpanned. “You can’t swim with that. Take it out.”
That hadn’t been there when we left California.
“What is this, jail?” he bitched.
Ah. They wouldn’t let him wear it.
Well, I wouldn’t either. How the fuck was I supposed to concentrate?
Rush and Landry came down the stairs, moving into the kitchen.
“This coffeemaker sucks,” Rush complained.
I took advantage of the distraction to turn away from the temptation on the couch. “Well, you could sleep at your own place.”
“You’d miss me.”
“I miss the time I didn’t know you,” I muttered, going into the kitchen to take the carafe out of his hand, the dark brew sloshing around.
“Morning, Dad,” Landry said.
I glanced at her and smiled. “Morning, ladybug.” I held up the pot. “You want some coffee?”
“You’ll share with her?” Rush complained.
“I like her.”
Landry’s nose wrinkled. “No offense, Dad, but you really do need a new coffeemaker.”
“What’s wrong with this one?” I argued, pouring the slightly burned brew into the travel mug I had out.
“Let’s go, baby. I’ll buy you a latte on the way,” Rush told her.
Rolling my eyes, I sipped at my fresh java.
It wasn’t slightly burned. It was crispy. And bitter. I acted like it tasted good and went to the fridge for creamer.
There was none.
“Who the hell used the last of the creamer?” I bellowed, the light spilling out of the ice box competing with the light over the stove.
“Sorry, Dad. I’ll go to the store after classes today,” Landry said.
I grunted. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll go.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll get some better coffee too.”