Page 143 of Roulette Rodeo
Red’s scent—spiced honey and wild cherrywood—slips up between us, coloring the moment with something warm and distinctly her. I find myself cataloging every detail: the way her hands grip my shirt for anchor, the faint catch in her breath when I graze her lower lip, even the tremor that runs through her when I press my palm more firmly against her spine. She tastes like cinnamon sugar and promise, as if autumn had a flavor and decided to leave it on her tongue.
My heart does a slow, deliberate roll in my chest. I want to stay here forever—or at least until the world ends, or the coffee kicks in, whichever comes first.
When she makes a small sound of contentment, I deepen the kiss just slightly, my hand coming up to cradle her jaw.
She grins against my lips when we finally part, her eyes sparkling with mischief and something warmer.
"So you'll really teach me about the phone?"
"Let's start with the basics," I say, pulling out my own phone. "First, we need to set up your accounts and add you to our pack group chat."
She bounces slightly in excitement, and I bite back a groan as the movement sends interesting sensations through my body.
"A group chat? Like where we can all talk together?"
"Exactly." I guide her through unlocking her phone with Face ID, watching her delight as it recognizes her face. "Now, let's set up your messaging."
Her fingers are careful on the screen, treating it like it might break. I show her how to navigate, how to open apps, how to type on the keyboard. She's a quick learner, absorbing everything with an intensity that speaks to years of having to learn fast or suffer consequences.
"Okay, I'm adding you to the pack chat," I tell her, pulling up the group on my phone. "Fair warning, Talon sends too many memes, Shiloh barely texts unless it's important, and Rafe mostly just complains."
She giggles as her phone chimes with the group invitation.
"What should I say first?"
"Whatever you want. It's your pack too now."
She bites her lip, thinking, then carefully types out:
"Hi! Red here! Corwin is teaching me to use my new phone! "
"You found emojis already?" I laugh.
"The cherry was important!" she defends, then squeals as responses immediately start coming in.
I show her my screen so she can see them appearing in real-time, too.
Talon: FINALLY! Welcome to the digital age, Cherry Bomb
Shiloh: Duke says hi
Shiloh: That was him stepping on my phone
Talon: Sure it was soldier boy
Rafe: Why are we encouraging this?
Talon: Because we're not emotionally constipated like you
Rafe: I'm working.
Red: Hi Rafe!
There's a pause, then:
Rafe: Hello.
"He responded!" Red exclaims like it's a miracle.
