Page 33 of Run From Me

“Spector boss look? Wow. Okay. We can unpack what’s wrong with that later. But for starters, that. The whole thing. You don’t think that very specific hourglass on the shoulder isn’t going to stand on camera?”

I hated the way I watched his mouth knowing just how that goatee felt against my lips when I kissed him. I hated watching as he played with the thing with his teeth as he thought.

Why is it that when I said I would help him, a slow smile crossed his lips, taking years off him. It wasn’t lost on me how fucking scary he should have been, but I also had zero sense of self-preservation. And when he smiled?

“Lead the way, Sparky. I’m at your command. As long as I get to do this for my brother.”

I nodded as we crossed the massive parking lot because I couldn’t trust myself to say anything logical. My feet regretted the fact I’d jumped out of the car near the back of the parking lot. Maybe I didn’t. It was more time with a guy I had absolutely no right to want. At least fucking him scratched an itch that he had somehow awoken.

“That whole thing, that was your fault. Just so you know.”

I was taking two steps for every one of his, and it was a little annoying that I sounded more out of breath than he did. Maybe he noticed because I was able to keep up now, but my feet still felt gross and gritty, and I hated I hadn’t put shoes back on.

“What thing?”

I gawked at him.

“The thing in the car. You know. The thing.” Maybe it wasn’t my finest communication, but I sure as hell made an obviousgesture to my crotch. The way his eyebrow raised just enough to show a devious playful side of him, I knew he was fucking with me, and that pissed me right the hell off.

“You are such an asshole. I should let you get caught doing whatever it is you think will be the best gift ever.”

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side like I was an old friend rather than some girl who just climbed up on him like a lifeline. Or stress relief. I wasn’t admitting anything.

“Ah, come on. The sexual tension between us was bound to end in an explosion. A little bit it was both our faults. I was definitely willing. Let’s go feed the demons, and I’d rather not get caught. This hospital at night is understaffed, so I think that will help. What’s your idea to get in unnoticed?” Xander asked.

My plan?

“Well, first we get some scrubs for you. They will notice you and that jacket. But if you look like me? No one will give a shit really.”

I held my badge up and clipped it on my pocket.

“Aren’t you all official, Sparks,” he said.

“Sparks?”

With a shrug, he followed me around to a staff entrance.

“Sparks, Sparky. I mean Sparks seemed more personal, and since you’re about to commit a crime with me, that puts us on personal nicknames.”

Personal nicknames? This could be fun.

“Oh, in that case, let me figure out one for you. Dickhead? No, that’s overused. Captain Shit Show? No, that implies you don’t have your life together.” I paused. What could I call a fuck buddy that seemed to know exactly what to say one minute and then fuck it all up seconds later?

“I got it. Crash. As in crash and burn whenever you open your mouth.”

His hand flew to his chest.

“Ouch, Sparks. That one hurt.”

I smiled to myself because I thought it was pretty accurate and funny. Besides, something felt really good about getting away with calling him out for his shit when we were heading in to a hospital to kill someone.

Lots to unpack there.

I scanned my badge and opened the door, letting him and myself in.

“Take off the jacket, Crash. There’s a camera right there.”

I pointed toward one monitoring the hallway that wasn’t hidden. I kept my head down as I pushed him through a door, barely inside the hospital.

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