Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(117)

"Well, yeah. I heard him sneaking in. Since your guard dogs refused to budge from their beds, I decided to check on things." He gave me another kiss, this one on the lips, and padded to the kitchen. He was wearing pants, but no shirt, and as usual his chest and back were sun-kissed, slightly scarred and utterly kissable.

I followed him, watching as he grabbed a mug and filled it with the coffee I had made him, the traitor. I tried not to soften as he pet the girls. They didn't bark or snarl at him as I'd originally envisioned. Now that I liked him and wanted him around, they did, too. Or maybe he'd romanced them as he'd done to me, now that he was no longer jealous of them. Yes, he'd admitted that he'd been jealous of the smiles I'd given my babies. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He flicked me an are-you-kidding grin. "I had other things on my mind."

"But Sherridan hates him. What if he - "

"She doesn't hate me," Cody said, all wickedness.

I turned and gasped, a hand fluttering over my chest. I'd followed Rome and apparently Cody had followed me. He stood in the kitchen entryway, shoulder braced against the door frame. I needed to be more aware of my surroundings and the people in them or I'd die of heart failure, I swear I would.

Suddenly Sherridan raced around the corner, a single sock dangling from between her fingers. She spotted me and ground to a halt. Her mouth fell open and her cheeks burned bright red. A gasp escaped her, and it was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.

I moved toward her, but Rome grabbed my arm and held me back. My mind cleared as I shook my head and stepped away from him. Okay, how had this happened? She'd been so determined to resist Cody. And how long before he remembered his three-dates rule and dumped her, hurting her deeply?

"You're going to pay for this. I warned you." I held out my hand and summoned a ball of fire.

He jumped back, and Sherridan jumped in front of him, shaking her head at me mutely.

"Uh, Rome," Cody said.

I didn't spin to look at him, and maybe I should have. Because two arms again wrapped around my waist and Rome's warm, minty breath trekked over my cheek, my shoulder. His fingers curled around my wrist.

"Put the fire out, baby."

"I want some answers, and he's going to give them to me. Besides, he needs to know there will be consequences for his actions." I held firm, keeping the flames front and center so Cody didn't get any ideas about running. "How'd you manage to...you know without her making a sound and entrancing you?"

"I have filters. Got them years ago when I underwent some enhancements, just like Rome." His gaze roved to Sherridan, stayed for a moment, softening, increasing my anger, then moved back to me. "She can talk to me."

"Yeah, well, I want to know how long you're planning to stick around before moving on to your next conquest. I also want to know if you remember the warning I gave you." Biting her lower lip, Sherridan looked down at her feet. She groaned in embarrassment and it was a prettier sound than even the sigh. I tried to pull from Rome, had to reach her, tell her I'd do anything she wanted, even kill Cody. Yes, kill Cody. That was a fine plan. He might hurt her one day, and that I couldn't allow. She deserved rainbows and sunshine, roses and chocolate.

"Shit," Rome said.

"Double shit," Cody said, backing away.

I lifted my free hand, already summoning another ball of fire. Cody was going to roast, and I was going to laugh, and then I was going to comfort Sherridan. Sweet, wonderful Sherridan.

Rome tried to grab for the new ball, but I danced free of him and prepared to launch at Cody.

"Stop, Belle," Sherridan said firmly. "Stop the fire."

Immediately I obeyed. My now-empty hands dropped to my sides. Anything she wanted, I would do.

Had to touch her, I had to touch her. She was my everything, my only reason for living. I needed -

"I'm sorry, baby," Rome said on a sigh. He hefted me over his shoulder and started down the hall.

I struggled, hitting him, kicking him, biting him. I was wild, feral and more determined than I'd ever been.

He tossed me on the bed. The mattress bounced me high in the air and I jackknifed to my knees when I landed. I was going to rip him a new -

He was on top of me in the next instant, a sharp sting piercing my shoulder.

"You bastard!" I snarled, lethargy already beating through me. "She's...You...What?"

"Part of being your man is protecting you, even from yourself. I'd expect you to do the same for me.

See you in a few hours, Wonder Girl."

My entire world went black.

As my eyelids fluttered open tiredly, I caught glimpses of Sherridan, tall, curvy and gorgeous, who was standing over my bed and staring down at me.

"Hey," she said.

I tried to focus on her, but there were too many colorful spots clouding my vision. Red, yellow, orange.

"Thirsty?"

The moment she asked, I could taste the cotton in my mouth. I nodded. Next thing I knew, a straw was pressed to my lips. I gulped, the sweet, cool water wetting my throat.

"That's enough." The cup disappeared.

Not enough, never enough. I moaned. But this time when I opened my eyes, I could see more than a murky portrait. Her blond curls were piled on top of her head, her blue eyes wide with concern.