Page 215 of Black Bird

Brent nodded slowly, holding the gown in place over his lower half. Wren’s eyes caught a faint reflection over his shoulder in the glass and snorted a laugh, covering her mouth. Brent’s brows drew together.

“What?” he asked, looking over his shoulder and realizing what she was giggling at. “Oh …”

“Nice ass.” Wren laughed, bracing herself on his shoulder.

“Yeah, thanks …” Brent flushed, fixing the issue and tying off the gown. “I work out.”

“Jesus,” she shook her head. “Look, for the sake of …whateverthis is? Can you not say douchey shit like that? I literally—”

“Shut me up then, Wren.”

Whatever she’d been about to say, she choked on. They both went uncomfortably still, and she must have swallowed about a dozen times while they stared each other down. He took an unsteady step closer, and she could practically feel his body heat through her black tank top and pajamas. There were only a few inches of space left between them, but she couldn’t figure out how to move. Couldn’t figure out if shewantedto …

“Next move is yours. I don’t know what the future holds, but … I can tell you a little bit about what I’ve realized in the past few weeks. Especially in the last few days.”

“Tell me,” Wren choked out, swallowing again.

“You’re the most annoying pain in the ass I’ve ever met. You make me wanna rip my fucking hair out. I can’t stand the way your voice changes when you fire off whatever insult you cook up to throw at me, and I really hate that you’re unnervingly gorgeous when you do. I think if that guy at Bunker’s had tried to say anything else, I would have probably snapped his neck.” Wren’s breathing kicked up, and her face felt warm. “I think I’ve been talking myself out of wanting to kiss you ever since that day. And I think if you don’t do it right now, then I’m gonna find myself wishing that bullet—”

Wren leaned forward, closing the space, and hushing him with her mouth. He closed his eyes and melted into her, bringing his arms around her waist while she slipped hers around his neck. His lips were full, and soft … they felt almost damn perfect against hers, and the way he kissed her back—why was it sogood? Both his hands flattened against the small of her back, pressing her closer against him and neither one of them apparently had the good sense to breathe. Or maybe the faint feeling she had were the sparks she’d told Sarah she hadn’t had the misfortune of crumbling under. That stench of romance that she’d desperately tried to outrun was catching up with her and threatening to smother the shower she’d finally been able to take.

“Damn it, Stratford …” Wren whispered into his mouth, hanging on his bottom lip and reaching into his hair. Brent raised a hand to the side of her face and kissed her again, this time with a little tongue. It sent an insane fluttering to her stomach that raged and craved more. “I’m starting to think bestie might have been lying about you.”

“I don’t understand why you keep asking me about it, Athan. That couch was free, and the springs cut into my ass every time I sat on it,” Sarah argued over her shoulder as she and Athan trudged to the elevator on the lower floor to the hospital.

“But it was yours, and mine takes up so much more space in there. I just don’t want—”

Sarah spun on her heel to face him, and he nearly ran into her when she stopped in front of him. “Would you stop?” She gripped the open zipper on his jacket and smirked. “It’s not my place anymore. It’sourplace. The couch stays. Besides … ‘lotta good memories on that couch.” Athan loosed a low rumble of a growl as his mouth curled up in the corner. His eyes dripped with sin. “I know this is gonna take some getting used to, but I already love the idea of coming home to my shitty apartment and having a little bit of both of us in it. Relax. I couldn’t be more happy, okay?”

“‘Kay…” He smiled, mocking the very thing she said when she’d taken his gun over to the couch that night.

“You’re killing me.” Sarah bit down on her lip and turned back towards the elevator, feeling him close behind.

“Then let’s hurry and get her home so we can …rearrange the furniture.”

“I really fucking hope this elevator is empty.” Sarah shook her head. The doors opened and Peggy stepped out, meeting eyes with them both. “Peggy … how are you?” Wren’s mother gave her a tight-lipped smile that didn’t reach her eyes and paused in front of them.

“You better take care of her. And next time, bring her some clothes that are actuallyclothes. It’s freezing out.” She stared Athan up and down, narrowing her eyes. “I want her home for New Years.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Sarah offered, pocketing her hands while she tightened them into fists. Peggy gave her another stern look.

“The next time something like this happens with my daughter, and you don’t call—”

“There won’t be a next time, ma’am.” Athan’s voice was a combination of flattery and an utter threat—however that was possible. Sarah smiled.

“Good. Enjoy your Christmas.” She didn’t say another word, instead pushing between them and making haste for the entrance to the hospital. They both turned and watched her leave.

“Damn … she’s a little ball of sunshine,” Athan smirked.

“Yeah, and Wren swears her hair gets bigger the more pissed off she gets.”

Athan cocked his head, continuing to stare at Peggy until she was out of sight. “It’s pretty fucking big,” he snorted.

“She’s kind of a bitch, but she wears that hat pretty well.”

Athan shot her a knowing smile. “You do know that’s Wren in forty years.”

“Get in the elevator, stupid.”

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