Rivals (Book 2 of The Warden series) Read online

  She felt her lower lip tremble. She couldn’t watch him walk away again. She couldn’t handle being left waiting. Her sorrow demon would break her collarbone if she had to endure even one more abuse like that.

  He dug around in the depths of his coat pockets, until he found what he wanted. A glove. He brought the glove over and pulled out a small black box he had stuffed into it. The kind of hinged black box that usually held a ring.

  He set the black box on the island and crossed his arms. Cori eyed the little box before turning her attention back to him. “What’s that?”

  “The tenth ring. I told you I had it.” She looked back at the box. She reached out for it, but Ethan snagged it away faster than the last Twinkie. She stared at him in shock. “That’s not yours yet.” His face didn’t show a glimmer of amusement. “I just wanted you to know I have it.” He slipped the box in his back pocket. “I just want you to know I’m not scared either.”

  He crossed his arms and waited for her to take in the moment.

  “Okay, I’m glad we talked about that.” She paused. “Now what?”

  “I was debating between making myself a sandwich or taking you upstairs to make love to you,” he said with austere casualness.

  Cori felt her heart rate increase. A wave of heat hit her face. She bit her lip, trying not to smile coyly.

  “Did you have a preference?” he asked. The anger and fear was gone from his face and his confidence returned.

  “Are you sure you’re not in too much pain?” she asked.

  Ethan stepped forward and pulled her body against his. She felt a tinge of pain, but ignored it. Ethan leaned in with a devouring kiss that sent the heat in her face through her whole body. He pulled away. “I’ve been waiting for this for two years. I could have a knife in my back and it wouldn’t stop me.” He kissed her again, holding her tight until she whimpered in pain. He withdrew. “I’m sorry, Cori. Are you feeling up to this?”

  Before he could ask anything more, she pulled him in for another long kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, and this time he grunted with pain. She pulled back. “I’m sorry.”

  They both laughed. He took her hand and led her to the stairs. “Come on. Let’s just get more comfortable upstairs, and we’ll figure out how the walking wounded can make love without killing each other.”

  “Sounds good. Can I see that box again?” she asked demurely as they ascended the stairs.

  “Nope.”

  “Just a peek?”

  “Nope.”

  Sneak Peek

  THE WARDEN

  Lovers and Liars

  Ethan approached Duke without his usual smile. Duke however, had a broad one for him. “Hey, boss man.” He pulled Ethan’s outstretched hand into a one armed manly slap hug. “What brings you on the roof without a coat?” Duke looked him over, slowly losing his smile as he did.

  Ethan was in his usual black t-shirt and black cargo pants, just like the other guards. He had never seen a reason to distinguish himself even after receiving his title. Duke was bundled to the nines with hooded jacket, ski mask, gloves, and something that looked like chaps. The fall season wasn’t as cold as the winter, but it was still too damn cold to be stepping outside without the proper attire.

  “Could I have you step away from your post for a bit?” Ethan said trying to smile, but failing.

  “Sure thing, boss,” Duke said propping his weapon on his shoulder. Ethan didn’t like that he called him “boss.” It made him feel separate from him, but since Duke wasn’t the type to give up a nickname, Ethan never requested he stop. Somehow asking him to stop calling him “boss” seemed bossy.

  They stepped back into the stairwell, and Ethan stopped at the first landing. Duke must have realized the seriousness of the situation, because he gripped his weapon tightly with both hands. Ethan could see the furrow in his brow even through the ski mask.

  “Why the long face, boss?”

  “I have a job for you to do.”

  Duke slapped his shoulder and guffawed. “Is that all? You know I ain’t too proud to do my job.” His Texan accent laced his words with a friendliness that couldn’t be beat by any other burr. “What can I do for y'all?”

  “I need you to arrest my wife,” Ethan said.

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