Page 29 of Strip Search

The plea in her voice makes me stop. I’ve got a million fucking questions right now but she’s right. She needs clothes on first. I already feel like I’m short-circuiting here. Angry about the mark on her face, rock hard because she’s wearing nothing but a towel.

Turning to my dresser instead, I pull out a well-worn Marines shirt and a pair of boxers to hand to her. “I’ll wait in the hallway. Let me know when you’re done.”

Molly takes the clothes from my outstretched hand nods.

The two minutes or less that it takes her to slip into my clothes does nothing to quell the pure rage burning in my veins. I’m still fuming when she opens the door up.

“It was Lola.” She doesn’t even give me a chance to speak, no doubt knowing now is not the time to test my patience. “I stood up for one of the other girls. I stopped her from taking a swing at Roxy. She got one up on me though.”

“You’re done,” I say through gritted teeth. “Fuck this whole thing. You’re through.”

“Cole. I swear to fucking God, I’m not doing this with you again. I’m staying. Roxy needs a friend, someone to watch her back. Right now, that person is me. I’m not backing down, and I can promise you, it’ll be the last damn time the bitch every lays a finger on me.”

“She’s going to pay for this,” I assure Molly.

“She will, but you’ll let it play out first. Because that’s part of the plan. We already know she’s a vital part of this scheme. This had to happen. It’ll make the inevitable takedown that much sweeter.”

“I’m not happy, Mol.”

“Me either,” she sighs. “Care to explain why I woke up in your bed?”

A smile plays at the corner of my lips. “Nice diversion. You fell asleep in the car,” I say as I push her wet hair behind her ears. “It’s a privilege no one else has ever had.”

~*~

Molly

Cole’s confession tugsat my heart. Part of me so desperately wants to believe that in spite of it all, maybe things are shifting. I know that all of his attention atThe Landing Stripwas supposed to be for show, but it doesn’t feel that way.

“I’m going to shower and change clothes. You alright in here alone?”

“I can go. Or sleep on the couch,” I offer.

Ask me to stay.I plead silently.

He places a gentle kiss on my forehead and laughs. “Not happening. TV remote is on the nightstand if you want it. I’ll be quick.”

Cole grabs a pair of shorts and locks himself in the bathroom while I climb back in his bed and turn the tv on. As promised he’s not gone long. When the door opens, steam bellows out along with the fresh scent of his body wash and mint. He stays silent, and he flips off the bedroom light and settles in beside me.

“You good?” he askes gruffly, as he not so subtly tucks his arm under my head.

Taking his cue, I snuggle closer and hope that I’m not reading this whole situation wrong. “Yep, you?”

“Perfect.” He looks down on me with a grin.

We settle into a comfortable silence together for a few moments before his arm shifts, and he pulls me closer to his warm body. My eyes drift closed, and I fall asleep in the coziness of his embrace.

The next morning, I wake up to daylight peeking through the curtains and the sound of rain on the windows. It takes a second for me to gather myself but when I do, I’m surprised – if not a bit disappointed to find Cole’s side of the bed is cold and I’m alone.

The clock on the nightstand tells me that I still have time before I need to report to work, plenty of time. But realization sets in. I’m going to be doing one hell of a walk of shame if I don’t make it to my place and put on something a little more appropriate than Cole’s clothes or my club attire.

Slipping out of Cole’s bed, I make quick work of handling my business in the bathroom and then take off in search of him.

The upstairs is quiet, so I follow the hallway and make my way down to the main floor. To my right at the bottom of the steps, I find the kitchen and I'm greeted by two shirtless men with food on the counter and coffee.

Cody spots me first and lets out a fool on belly laugh. “Oh, this is great. Good morning! Sleep well?”

Cole spins around from where he’s pouring another cup of coffee and flashes me a breathtaking smile that has my tongue tied in knots.

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