Make Me Yours (Bellamy Creek #2) - Melanie Harlow Page 0,17
. a little emotional tonight, I think.”
His face grew concerned. “She is?”
“She’s okay,” I said quickly, “but she just told me she sometimes wishes you weren’t a cop.”
He nodded, his expression grim. “She saw a movie recently, where—”
“She told me. And I think it’s only natural for her to be afraid of losing you, given what happened to her mom.”
“I know. And I tell her all the time that I’m safe, and she’s safe, and that nothing can take me away from her.” He took a deep breath, and as he exhaled, he shook his head. “Still, it gets to me.”
I smiled. “You’re only human, remember?”
“Right.” He smiled at me, then put a finger over his lips, reminding me that was our secret. “Anyway, I’ve kept you here long enough. Let me get the door for you.” He crossed in front of me and pulled the back door open. Icy air blew in, and snowflakes were falling from the darkened sky. “Looks like you guys are going to get your wish for a white Thanksgiving.”
“Yay,” I cheered softly, coming to stand next to him.
He looked down at me. “Wait a minute. You can’t go out without a coat.”
“Cole, really, it’s such a short walk. I’ll be fine. You need to go say goodnight to Mariah.”
But he’d already disappeared into the front hall, and a moment later he was back with a dark gray Carhartt I recognized as his. Secretly pleased he was offering his own jacket, I slipped my arms into it.
“Thanks,” I said, freeing my hair from the collar. “I’ll make sure to get it back to you tomorrow.”
“No rush.”
I faced him again, wishing I didn’t have to go home at all, but instead could stay here and curl up under a blanket with him, watch some television, or even go to bed early. My eyes traveled over his shoulders and chest, imagining what it would be like to rest my head on them, bury my face in his neck, snuggle up beneath the covers on a cold night like tonight, instead of falling asleep alone. Then I remembered what he’d said earlier—your body is fucking perfect, Cheyenne—and I couldn’t help but smile as I met his deep blue eyes. “See you Thursday.”
“See you Thursday.” He pulled the back door open once more. “Hey, shoot me a quick text when you get into your house, okay?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re such a dad.”
He gave me his crooked grin. “Can’t help it.”
Glad my mother was already up in bed when I got home, I dropped my school bag by the front door and dashed up the stairs and into my bedroom. Shutting the door silently behind me, I flopped across my bed on my back and hugged the jacket close, bringing it over my face and inhaling deeply.
It smelled like soap and shaving cream and maybe a little like the pub, but it was a hundred percent him. I couldn’t get enough. Would it be creepy to sleep in it?
I sat up again and grabbed my phone off the charger on my nightstand.
Me: Made it home in the blizzard. Thanks for the coat.
There was no immediate reply, and I figured he was still in Mariah’s room.
I waited for a minute or two and then gave up on a reply. Reluctantly removing the coat and tossing it on the bed, I took off my work clothes, put on my pajamas, and chose an outfit for school tomorrow. After checking my phone one more time—still nothing—I went across the hall to the bathroom, washed my face, took my pill, brushed my teeth, and rubbed moisturizer into my skin.
Back in my room, I switched off the light and slipped between the sheets, reaching for my phone again.
He’d written me back!
Cole: Thanks for letting me know. You’re welcome for the coat. It looks good on you.
Another compliment!
My entire body hummed with pleasure and I wiggled from side to side. You’d look good on me, I typed, wishing I had the guts to send it. I laughed silently as I deleted the words and sent a real reply—flirty, but not dirty.
Me: It kept me nice and warm all the way home. I might never give it back.
Cole: Ha.
Me: Would you arrest me for theft?
Cole: Definitely. You’ve always been a menace to society.
I grinned and typed another message I’d never send.
Would you cuff me? Throw me in the back of your car? Get rough with me?