“Hey, sweetheart.” He hugged me and kissed my cheek. “How goes it?”
“Not bad. Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Bitch shit.”
“I don’t want to know,” I said.
“Smart girl.”
“I’m going to get something to drink,” I said, and Snowcone gave me a chin lift.
I headed for the kitchen, unprepared for what I would find, walking in to see Aero and Haven, Ratchet’s eldest daughter, standing close to each other and laughing.
I saw red.
No.
I saw green, and before either of them had a chance to say anything, I turned and left the kitchen, walking up the stairs as calmly as I could before closing the door and sliding down the wood to my butt.
Well, shit.
Dropping my forehead to my knees, I took several deep breaths and forced myself not to cry. This was my decision. He had every right to find someone else if that’s what he wanted. And Haven was sweet. She was a friend.
But it hurt. Worse than I could have ever imagined and that was totally irrational.
Taking control of my emotions, I rose to my feet and took a few minutes to freshen up, giving myself a pep talk as I did.
Once I felt like I could deal with seeing Aero macking on some other woman, I squared my shoulders and pulled open my door, walking into a chest made of granite, before being pushed back into the room.
“You okay?” Aero asked.
“Yep,” I said to his sternum.
“You gonna look at me and say that?” he challenged.
“Nope.”
“What are you doin’, baby?”
“I’m going downstairs to join the party,” I said, still unable to look at him.
“That’s not what I’m askin’, and you know it.”
“Jasper, I...” I swallowed convulsively, unable to finish my sentence.
“You?” he pressed.
I dropped my head to his chest and squeezed my eyes shut as his hands slid into my hair.
“Say the word, Violet.”
I shook my head.
“Is that your final answer?”
I shook my head again, and he lifted my chin, covering my mouth with his. I slid my hands under his cut, up his back and fisted them in his shirt. I heard the door shut and our kiss became frantic as he slid his tongue against mine.
“Wait,” I begged, breaking our connection.
