Page 125 of Nemesis

I am so fucking tired, and we’re nowhere closer to finding Reese.

Climbing onto the cot and closing my eyes is automatic.

I’m asleep in seconds.

35ARTEMIS

“Tem.”A hand touches my shoulder and immediately releases me.

My swing touches empty air.

“I knew you were going to do that.”

I crack my eyes open. My body aches, and I slowly push the blanket off my shoulders. I didn’t cover myself, but… now I’m covered.

And Kade crouches just out of reach, a smile playing on his lips.

“Did you find him?”

He shakes his head once. “No, but we’re going out.”

“We as in you and Saint?”

“We as in the three of us.” He tips his head. “Unless you think Saint and I should be alone together.”

I narrow my eyes. “You wouldn’t hurt him, would you?”

“Only if he strikes first, little goddess.”

A chill runs down my spine.The good kind. Not sure where he came up with that nickname, but I’m not terribly opposed. He doesn’t say it mockingly. There’s a softness in his gaze that doesn’t reconcile with how he usually acts.

Tough. Almost cold.

He just feels sorry for you.

“Okay,” I finally say, swinging my legs out of the cot.

He steps closer and holds out his hand, helping me to my feet. He tugs me closer without warning. My chest bumps his. Immediate butterflies fan their wings in my stomach, and I meet his dark eyes in confusion. He uses two fingers to catch the mussed hair at my temple. He tucks the strands behind my ear, then releases my hand.

I step back, letting out a shaky exhale.

That shouldn’t have been sensual.

It definitely wasn’t sexual.

Was it?

“Right.” I clear my throat. “Let’s go, then.”

He grabs a folded sweatshirt and thrusts it at me. His gaze drops to my chest, and I follow.

Yeah, those fucking nipple piercings are prominent.

“You’ve got piercings, too,” I blurt out.

His eyebrow rises. Just one, a little tick up before it smooths.

“You saw that, huh?”

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