Page 75 of Shockproof

“God, it’s like if guard bees were men and could talk,” the woman beside me gleefully gushes.

“You go straight there and back,” Slater states without room for argument. “No exceptions.”

“Roger that,” my day security detail affirms.

His eyes meet mine next as he saunters in my direction. “Angel Cake?”

“Mmm,” I playfully hum, big brown eyes glowing in mirth, “but what if I’m hungry?”

“We have food here.”

“Yes, but food from a drive through could be better.”

“Angel Cake.”

The lack of amusement in his expression only has me pushing him more. “Probablywouldbe better.”

“Arley.”

“Probably would be best.”

“Arlette.”

“Ohmygod, fine!I will just starve if necessary. We’ll come straight home even if it means I pass out from lack of burger in the car becauseyourefused to let me eat.”

Upon his arrival at my side, Slater finally lets the corner of his lips kick upward. “Thank you for your sacrifice.”

“The world needs more people like me in it.”

“No,” my boyfriend immediately disagrees while his hands lift to gently cup my face. “The world just needsyou.” His thumbs deliver a sweet stroke to my cheeks. “Same for me.” There isn’t even a chance to return the sentimental words. He drops his open mouth onto mine, tongue wasting no time reiterating the proclamation. Powerful, unforgettable presses are given and instantly reciprocated, an action that somehow convinces him to increase the pressure…the speed…the intensity, until I’m fighting to not only keep up but catch a breath. At that moment, he abandons the swollen mess he’s managed to make and quietly says, “I love you.”

Seeing the bright blue lettering fills me with the same awe as hearing it. “I love you, too.”

One last doting caress is delivered on a cooed, “Stay sweet, Angel Cake.”

“Stay safe, Cowboy.”

A tiny blush presents itself prior to him motioning to his partner to head out. Reassurance about communication is exchanged between him and Reynolds while Blu kisses his own girlfriend lovingly goodbye.

Once they’re officially gone, Aviva turns towards me on an enamored sigh. “Can I ask you something?” She places her mug down on the counter. “Girlfriend to girlfriend?”

Now, there’s something I don’t think I ever imagined someone saying to me.

“Yeah.” My shoulders innocently bounce. “Go for it.”

“Is it wrong to want to cease the hive cycle that’s served us so well and only have the one drone become my everything?” Her elbow lands on the counter to allow her face to flop into her open palm. “Is it wrong or weird to be ready for us to have something like that of the winter bee? Is it too soon? Is it too fast? Is too unheard of?” She purses her lips together for only a second, shaky yellow wording landing with a comical splat on my lap. “Okay, Iknowit’s not unheard of. Unheard of would’ve been wanting this after we first slept together two dates in.”

Two dates?!

They slept together after two dates?!

Is that how quickly people should be sleeping together?

Obviously, it worked for them…and I am probably not licensed to judge since it took us six almost seven years to fall into bed…but…that seems…fast.

Maybe I should ask Hilda.

Although, do I really wanna know how quickly she and my brother got into the sack?

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