When I step back, she stands much better than the first time and follows my instructions exactly. Then she takes aim and holds her breath before firing.
The shot misses, but before I can say something, she’s already aiming again. The second bullet just grazes the edge of the can, but it still falls over. The third and final shot is perfect, and I can’t deny that I’m a little proud of her.
"Point the barrel down," I remind her when she still doesn’t lower her arms.
Sophie obeys, and I step toward her to take the Glock.
"That was… really cool," she says breathlessly before looking at me.
"Did you just saycool?"
Her cheeks redden slightly as she answers. "Jules said that a couple of times," she explains. "Didn’t I use it right?"
I must look like a deer in headlights because I just stare at her. It takes a moment for me to catch myself. "You did."
"Can I shoot with the big one now?" she asks abruptly.
A mirthless laugh escapes me before I shake my head. "Not in this lifetime, little darling."
SIXTEEN
SOPHIE
It was overwhelming to shoot a gun, although my arms and shoulders still hurt a bit from the recoil. But Cole had warned me in advance, so I won’t complain.
Feeling the force of the bullet leaving the barrel of the gun made me forget for a moment how small and inexperienced I sometimes feel. Instead, I felt strong. Powerful.
It was really cool.
Seeing Cole with his gun was also impressive. He looked absolutely lethal as he clasped the huge pistol with his big hands and aimed at the cans, making his tattooed arms tense. My stomach fluttered at the sight of him, and I grew terribly warm all at once as I looked at his profile in the sunlight. His eyes seemed like liquid silver as he took aim, rivaling the shiny metal in his hands.
And when he stood so close behind me… I could feel his heartbeat against my back, and for a split second, I forgot what I was supposed to do. It was completely crazy—but in a good, exciting way.
"How did it go with Jules last night?" Cole eyes me briefly after we get back in the truck. "It got pretty late, didn’t it?"
"Yes. I’ve never stayed up this late before," I confess. "But it was nice."
"So she didn’t… overwhelm you?"
I frown and look at him. "I don’t know what you mean."
"The movie didn’t scare you?"
Now I think I understand what he’s talking about. My cheeks get warm when I think of all the things Jules explained to me.
I squirm inwardly, but then force myself to answer him. "No. It was… okay."
He throws me another glance before looking back at the road.
"Where are we going?" I want to know, as he doesn’t take the route we came from.
Cole hesitates for a tiny moment. I almost expect him not to tell me, but then he does. "To the vet clinic."
"Why?"
"I hit a dog with my truck on Monday."
My eyes widen. "Oh my God! How is he?"
