Chapter Sixteen

Demi

After we clean up and have a quickie in the shower, Colt drags me to the elevator, promising me I won’t regret it.

“Where are we going?” I lean into his side, wrapping my arm around his waist. “I should probably go see my parents.”

He nods. “It’s a quick trip. Do you trust me?”

I lay my head on his shoulder. “Yes.”

Oddly enough, I do. He’s grown on me. So has Grayson. Hell, even Mateo has grown on me, despite his shortcomings.

“Then enjoy the trip. Don’t worry about your parents, they’ll be okay without you for a bit.”

The elevator reaches the parking garage and we walk to an SUV. It looks like most of the others in the lot, except it’s steel gray rather than black. He helps me into my side, then flashes to the driver’s side. It’s early enough the traffic is heavy, but luckily we’re only in the car for about ten minutes before he parallel parks outside of a bank.

“What are we doing here?”

He turns off the car and gives me a pointed look. “Just enjoy the adventure.”

I open the door and meet him on the sidewalk, squinting at the tinted windows. Student loans are enough for me, so I sure hope he isn’t trying to set me up with a mortgage or something.

With a laugh, he links his arm with mine and we walk through the automatic doors. The second the aromatic French roast curls around me in a seductive siren’s call, I know exactly what we’re doing here.

“Oh youarethe best vampire I’ve ever met.”

He scoffs. “Obviously.”

The little coffee shop is set up outside of the bank lobby. Since there aren’t many people in the building, we only have to wait a few minutes to order. I take a play from Evelyn’s book and order two lattes, one steamed at a slightly lower temp and the other regular.

Colt carries the extra one back to the car while I guzzle the first one. “So I’m assuming you’re happy you came now?”

Nodding, I pat his shoulder and take another big sip. “So happy.”

He holds the car door open and hands me the extra cup once I’m settled. “You sure you don’t want another?”

Waving my hand, I grin. “I can’t have all the coffee.”

“I disagree. You can have whatever you like.”

I laugh. “Well, for now, let the world enjoy their coffee. We’ll come back tomorrow and take it all, deal?”

“Deal.” He closes the door and gets in on his side. Shifting the car into drive, he pulls away from the curb and rests one of his arms on the middle console.

I thread my fingers with his and he smiles, lifting our joined hands to place a kiss on mine.

“I love it when you smile.”

His grin widens. “Don’t tell anyone or my reputation will be ruined.”

Snorting, I roll my eyes. “You think you’re so scary, don’t you?”

“I don’t think, Demi. I know.” Mirth dances in his eyes when he shoots me a look and I shake my head at him.

“You’re trouble, you know that?”

He winks then focuses on driving. “Yeah, but you love it.”