Page 14 of Shattered

“It’s all I’ve thought about.”

“And?” I drew out the word.

“I have questions.”

Interlacing our fingers, I held on tight like the simple connection was a lifeline. Considering her next words had the potential to alter our lives, it was.

“Ask away, Angel.”

After a few beats, she blew out a ragged breath.

“How would this work? I mean, we aren’t exactly dating, Koen.”

“That changes now.” Turning, I placed my free hand on the counter, while maintaining contact with the other, “I’d like to think I’ve been pretty obvious about my intentions, but just in case, I’ll make it crystal clear. I want a relationship with you beyond friendship.”

“Why?” She tilted her head back and to the side, those chocolate irises searching relentlessly for the truth. So I gave it to her.

“Life is too fucking short. I’m twenty-five years old. I have a job I love, a group of friends who would take a literal bullet for me and I them. Now, I’ve met someone who I can picture a beautiful future with. There’s no way I want to waste a second of the time I have left on this earth searching for something when it’s right in front of me.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Nothing is guaranteed, Jade. You just have to be brave enough to take the leap.”

A comfortable silence fell between us, only broken by the low hum of conversation from our friends in the next room. Taking a drink of water, Jade tapped out a nervous rhythm with two fingers against the glass as she stared straight ahead, seemingly lost in thought. I opened my mouth to speak, but she cleared her throat, shifting slightly to face me. We were separated by mere inches, close enough for me to catch a glimpse of minuscule flecks of gold along the outer edges of her deep-brown eyes. Desirewafted between us, hotter than a volcano on the verge of eruption. I was entranced by her beauty, which was nothing new.

“Okay,” she announced hesitantly.

“Okay?”

“I’ll marry you.”

“Be sure, Angel. We may be doing this ass-backward, however, if this thing between us goes the way I hope, I’m not planning to let you go.”

“It’syouwho needs to be sure, Koen. My parents are drug-addicted assholes, who associate with some very dangerous people.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I devour criminals for breakfast.” I smiled wide.

“I’m serious.”

Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, I sobered.

“So am I. They won’t touch you. Either of you. I promise.”

My gaze dropped to her mouth, her plump pink lips begging to be kissed. I leaned in slowly, giving her time to push me away, just as Noah’s raised voice interrupted my first taste of heaven.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Shit,” I swore. “We’d better get in there.”

Taking the glass from her hand, I set it on the counter, then followed as she led the way. All six feet of Noah stood nose to nose, scowling at an amused Lanie in the middle of the living room. Keaton shouldered his way between them in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

“Settle down, man.” He splayed a hand in the center of Noah’s chest, giving him a slight shove backward, while placing himself directly in front of Lanie.

“It’s funny you think you have a say in how I perform my job.” She rolled her eyes.

“What if this guy knows you’re a Fed, huh? What then?”

“We won’t know shit until the DEA gives us the full brief, will we?”

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