The cat darts under the hedge, doubles back, then zips around my boots again as if mocking me. My lungs burn, and not from fire. “Come here, you little—” I cut myself off, shooting a glance towards Flint’s looming silhouette.
Seraphina’s beside him, swaying on her feet, giggling like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever seen. “I think that one’s called Smokey.” Her gaze flicks back to Flint. “Smokin’. Smokes. He’s a hot one.” She hiccups, grinning at the chief. “I should call you smokin’.” She staggers on her feet,and the chief catches her by her elbow, mumbling something under his breath.
He’s not laughing anymore. He’s watching me with narrowed eyes as he props Seraphina up, holding her by the elbow, suspicion hard and sharp even in the dim porch light.
From inside, the curtain twitches. Ember’s pale face peeks out, framed by a halo of messy hair, her cheeks still flushed redder than her hair.
She watches me trip across the lawn after the little white devil, and even through the glass I can see her hand fly to her mouth—trying and failing to hide her laugh.
Our eyes lock for a split second, and she mouths something that looks a lot like “idiot.”
Then the cat darts between my legs again, and her shoulders shake as she ducks out of sight, the curtain falling back into place.
I finally manage to scoop the cat into my arms. It squirms, mewling as if I’m strangling it. “Got you,” I mutter, glaring into its smug little face. “Your timing’s bloody perfect, isn’t it?”
Flint calls across the yard. “If you can’t wrangle a cat, Coleman, not sure how you think you’ll manage my sister.”
The words land like a dare.
I meet his gaze, clutching the fur ball against my chest. “Don’t you worry about me, Chief. It looks like you have your own problems to deal with.”
His mouth curves into the faintest smirk. But his eyes are still watching. Still weighing me up, unmoving, as if he’s waiting to see if I’ll stay or get in my truck and leave.
Since he stepped into the room like a giant fire extinguisher, all heat is gone. I just need to check on Ember before leaving.
Carrying Smokey, Smokes, or whatever this whiteslinky guy is called, I find Ember in the hall wearing a dressing gown over her curvy figure.
She takes the cat from me. “I bagged up your tail and costume.”
I take the bag from her. “This isn’t how I planned on tonight going.”
“I know, but maybe it’s for the best.” She chews on the inside of her cheek. “My brother would knock your head off, and I kinda like your head where it is.” With a sad smile, she caresses my face.
I lean into her, inhaling her scent, and whisper, “I kinda like the idea of my head buried between your thighs, pumpkin.”
She sucks in a breath. “Stop with the dirty talk.” Her cheeks heat as she ushers me out of the door. “I’ll see you Monday, Drake.”
“You want to meet up Monday?”
“I meant at school when you drop Sienna off.”
“Oh. Right. Yeah.” Heat stirs low in my gut as I walk to my truck, Flint’s eyes still lingering from next door. Monday can’t come soon enough.
Chapter Eleven
EMBER
“Iknow you’re always hungry,” I say as I bend down, placing the bowls of cat food on the mat and stroking Fidget as the little thing fights her way through the horde.
“Each time I come round, I swear you have a new cat,” a deep voice says, making me jump.
“Goodness, Flint, don’t you know how to knock?” I place my hand on my chest as I turn to face him.
“I haven’t knocked in ten years, and suddenly I need to knock. If you have company, maybe you should lock the door next time.” He raises his brow, shooting me a look that says,last night scarred me for life.
“I will. Don’t worry. What are you doing here?” I fold my arms over my chest and lean against my kitchen counter.
“I came to check on Seraphina. I’m worried about her since her nan passed. All her friends are at college and…” Hescratches his short greying beard. “I feel responsible for her, since my son ended things with her.”
