Brazen and Breathless (Untouchable #6) - Heather Long Page 0,54
the car or Jake pausing in twining one lock of my hair around his finger. “Want me to bring you dinner when I come back?”
“Nah, there’s still Chinese leftovers from last night. I’ll heat up some moo goo gai pan after I feed the cats and get in my pajamas, then I’m going to do all the homework.”
He gave my hair the gentlest of tugs. “Text me if you change your mind, okay?”
Cupping his face, I leaned over to kiss him again. This one longer and more lingering, until he huffed out a little growl.
“Time to go, Baby Girl, or I’m going to skip work and you’re not going to get any time to yourself.”
“Not sure if that’s a threat…” I teased him as I slid out of the car and hooked my backpack over one shoulder, “…or a promise.”
Unsurprisingly, he waited until I had the backdoor unlocked and open before he backed out of his spot. I turned on some music, fed the cats, and then grabbed a quick shower before I changed. I liked having the time to just let my hair dry and not have to blow it out. Out of the shower, I nudged the heat up because the warm day had given way to the very chilly late afternoon and evening.
Tiddles trotted after me as I padded into the kitchen, and I got my plate of leftovers ready and in the microwave before I carried my backpack to the living room. There were signs of the guys everywhere. Coop’s jacket—or one of them anyway—over the back of a recliner. It was new and had just mysteriously showed up here this week, along with the new loveseat.
I loved it when they all played dumb and innocent. Except Archie, he totally threw Jeremy under the bus. His logic was I couldn’t say no to Jeremy, right?
Sometimes, they were too cute. Probably a good thing.
For the next couple of hours, I focused on getting through as many assignments as I could. One of the best parts of this semester’s syllabi was they included nearly all of our homework, and while we couldn’t turn it all in early, I could get it done early.
The more I did, the less I had to worry about, and the guys still filled in a lot of hours, but I also had work and now the internship. I checked the time. I had another hour, at least, before Coop would be done. Though he might work later. He and Jake sometimes did a long shift so they didn’t have to go out every evening.
I had time to knock out the last book on the AP reading list, and I could curl up with ice cream while I did it.
I’d just opened the fridge when the door lock jiggled but didn’t open. I paused and stared at the door. Then it did it again. Locking it was automatic, especially since the guys all had keys. I doubted it was one of them, since they usually texted me when they were on their way. I closed the freezer and headed for my phone.
No messages.
The hard knock as I glanced at my screen made me jump. My heart hammered, even as the knock turned almost violent, like a fist hitting the door.
“Open this damn door, Frankie, I see your car out here.”
Maddy’s voice had me sagging in relief. Not that I wanted to see her, but the last thing I wanted was the sudden vision I had of Mitch being the asshole knocking on my door.
Blowing out a harsh breath, I walked over to the door. I could just ignore her. She couldn’t actually see inside and her keys didn’t work. Another hard knock, and I debated it.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
Maddy: We need to talk.
No, we really didn’t.
Maddy: I’ve given you more than enough time to indulge this tantrum.
Tantrum.
Just like that, I retreated from the backdoor, opened the freezer, and pulled out the pint of ice cream. That and a spoon in hand, I walked away from the door and headed for my bedroom. I fired off a text to the group chat about her being outside the door and that I wasn’t answering.
Archie: I’ll wrap up and head there. Definitely don’t answer the door.
Jake: I’ve got one more order to deliver and I’m coming.
Coop: I just dropped off an order. I can head there now, but I’m 30 minutes away.