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E I G H T Y - S I X
Standing by the large front windows of Fourth Street Café, Kate peeked through the glass, scanning the cramped dining room for any sign of him, but found none. Returning to Paloma’s disapproving glare, Kate let out a shaky breath, the whoosh of air from a passing bus sending brown waves flying around her head, her hands lifting in a flustered attempt to smooth them. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“This is a terrible fucking idea, Kate,” Paloma scolded, arms folding across her chest as she studied the cinnamon-speckled eyes before her. “Honestly, one of the worst ones yet. What the hell are you planning to get from this?”
Ignoring the critical tone, Kate tugged her phone from her purse, clicking open the screen and closing it once again with a frustrated huff. “I need to do this… if he even shows up. I hope this isn’t just another one of his stupid games.”
“Why do you ne
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Rude Awakenings E I G H T Y - S E V E N
The wind whipped in from the car window, Paloma’s black waves flailing wildly around her face as she continued her scolding; Kate sinking further into her seat as if she were a teenager busted sneaking out at midnight. Propping her elbow against the door, Kate nestled her cheek into her palm, allowing her eyes to close while desperately attempting to tune out Paloma’s vexed jabber.“Are you even listening to me?”“No,” Kate admitted, head jerking as Paloma jolted the steering wheel to garner her attention. “Good God, are you insane?”“I think you are,” she snapped, shaking her head in disbelief at her friend’s casual indifference. “What in the world possessed you to meet with him? His number gets left in a notepad in your bedroom and the brilliant idea you come up with is to meet him?”“I know, it was stupid, but…” Kate trailed off, momentarily distra
Rude Awakenings E I G H T Y - E I G H T
Tugging her denim jacket tighter around her torso, Kate glanced across at the lake, the moon leaving a shimmery streak across its still waters. The nip in the air bristled against the shell of her ear, the hair on her neck rising as he shivered. Tangling her fingers with his, Colton pulled her into the warmth of his chest, one powerful arm encompassing her shoulders while the other rubbed his sated stomach as he groaned. Dinner had been an offbeat experience - an indulgent deviation from their typical cheap burger joint or Chinese take-out - one for which they were far too underdressed. The sting of heat in her cheeks remained as she remembered the flash of disdain from the elegantly dressed host, beady eyes skimming their jeans. It hadn’t faxed Colton in the slightest, face lighting up gleefully at the bulging of the waiter’s eyes as he removed his jacket, tattoo sleeves visible to the stiff upper-lip clientele of the restaurant. Once dinner had been eaten - Colton’s with an extra-
Rude Awakenings E I G H T Y - N I N E
After an achingly slow descent, Colton’s arm tightly constricting Kate’s shoulder with every jolt and wobble of the carriage, the attendant shuffled over, unlocking the gate and swinging it open with a hefty creak. Now that she was aware of his discomfort with heights, Kate noticed the intensity with which his fingers gripped the metal rail and the wave of relief that washed over his face as his feet hit solid ground.“You okay?” she grinned, wrapping her arm around his back as he gave her an unimpressed sideways glare.“Yes, I’m fine,” he scoffed, poking out his tongue as he tugged her into him. “What do you want to do now?”Shrugging, Kate glanced over at expansive set-up covering more than half the parking lot, flimsy steels fences buckling together, surrounding a collection of hay bales and a random bath-tub, an influx of small children inside, squealing with delight as piglets sniffed and gru
Rude Awakenings N I N E T Y
The chaos of the fair grew more and more muted as they hurried back around the lake, the flashing lights creating colorful patterns in the distance. Colton’s fingers curled around hers, forcing her feet to dance across the pavement in a frenzied step as their red SUV finally coming into view, parked gloriously beneath the glow of the streetlight.“Why’d you park there?” Kate grumbled, the ache in her belly growing more impatient, eager to be soothed by Colton’s touch.“It was the only ... never mind. Just hurry up and get in,” he commanded and Kate’s thighs clenched in anticipation.With a teasing eye roll, Kate slid into the front seat, sucking in her lower lip as she watched Colton’s jacket tighten across his broad back, his body hunching to get into his seat. Dark eyes glimmered as he glanced over, his hand rising to grasp the soft skin of her jawline, tugging her closer to plant a hard k
Rude Awakenings N I N E T Y - O N E
Adjusting the twisted waistband of his jeans with one hand, Colton wrapped the other around Kate’s shoulders, tacking sweet kisses along her temple and into the depths of her chocolate waves. The panic that shrouded them in the car gradually diffused as they drove, thanks to the ridiculous high-pitched whine Colton had tried to pass off as ‘singing’, his dark eyes alight at the sound of her laughter. As they hurried up the staircase, endorphins flooded Kate’s system; the ache between her thighs subsided, her heart swelling with every meager brush of his fingers across her shoulder and tender dab of his lips against her skin.Releasing her from his grasp, he entwined their fingers together, his free hand digging in his pocket for the house keys. “Did you throw out the rest of that pie?”“How are you not full?” Kate muttered. “You had two funnel cakes.”“I did not,” he scoffed, lifting a hand
Rude Awakenings N I N E T Y - T W O
Soft snores trickled from beside Kate in bed, Colton’s heavy arm crushing her to his heated chest as her fingers danced rhythmic circles in the thick, black spikes that fell dreamily on his forehead. He’d fallen asleep within minutes once she’d coaxed him to bed, his deep breaths telling her he needed it. The events of the last few weeks had taken their toll on him, the stress of the night consuming him; his body slouching in bed as Kate clambered beside him, rough hands sheathing her back and nuzzling her close, like a child with their comfort blanket. As she watched the steady rise and fall of his chest, the small parting between his lips that allowed a stream of air to escape, Kate allowed her mind to wander, just for a moment, reflecting back on the brash piece of work she’d met all those months ago. Being cocooned in his arms, her being bringing him solace in dark times, was something she could’ve never predicted.Aside from his light snores and the occasional grunt
Rude Awakenings N I N E T Y - T H R E E
Pulling into the parking lot of Bergstein & Associates, Colton’s harsh breath swirled through the cramped confines of the car, the anxious energy forcing his fingers to knock the wheel at a furious pace. Glancing toward him, Kate attempted to lick her lips but her tongue was dry, her throat void of any moisture. Brushing her palm against his thigh, he jumped, too absorbed in his own thoughts to be aware of his surroundings. She strained a smile as apprehensive eyes darted toward her. “You okay?”A slight nod shifted his messy bed hair, the floppy spikes falling down on his forehead. “I just wish he’d told me what this was for.”“I’m sure it’s all routine, baby,” Kate smiled reassuringly, leaning over to place a soft kiss against his furrowed brow. “If I recall,” she murmured, one fingertip dancing along his full lower lip. “You once told me that, and I quote, ‘do I look like t
Rude Awakenings N I N E T Y - F O U R
The irritated tut vibrated through the speaker, burrowing deep in Kate’s eardrum before she had the chance to pull the phone from her face. “You owe that psycho nothing,” Paloma snapped, and Kate envisioned the harsh roll of her milk-chocolate eyes. “She grew some balls and did the right thing, for once in her pathetic life. She doesn’t deserve acknowledgment, let alone a fucking thank you.”“She didn’t have to come forward, P,” Kate argued, glancing over her shoulder to ensure Colton hadn’t snuck in the front door while she’d been occupied. “Colt was looking at jail time. She did spare him a whole court case.”“No, she didn’t. The prosecutor spared him. His lawyer spared him. She just stood up and agreed to do the bare minimum and you want to send her a bunch of flowers to say thank you?” Sucking in a sharp inhale, Kate heard her breath even out as she composed her
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