Gena Showalter - The Queen Of Zombie Hearts

“You’re staring,” he said. “Thinking about doing me now? Well, I hate to break it to you, cupcake, but that ship has sailed.”

Third eye-roll. “Trying to figure you out.”

“Although,” he continued, as if I hadn’t spoken, “I could probably be convinced to show you how a real man pleases a woman after Cole screws everything up. You know, as an act of mercy.”

“I’d rather a zombie show me. You will never be a candidate.” Keeping him humble was a service I offered free of charge—and I still wasn’t sure I was getting my money’s worth.

He shrugged. “Your loss.”

“You’re only being so generous—” I nearly choked on the word “—because you don’t like being told no.”

“Or because chicks are like candy, and it’s my mission to taste-test all the different flavors.”

Fourth eye-roll. “Roughly four weeks ago, you claimed you wanted to find true love and become part of a meaningful relationship.”

“Roughly four weeks ago, I was an idiot,” he replied with a shudder.

I shook my head in exasperation. “You’re an STD waiting to happen. You know that, don’t you?”

“Super talented director?” He hiked his shoulders. “Not sure I want to get into the movie business, but okay.”

“Wrong. So totally douchey. And you’re already in deep.”

He flipped me off, and when I laughed, he pressed his finger against my nose. “I take it Cole’s dad has no idea you’ll be staying over and corrupting his son.”

“That’s right.” Just to be contrary, I added, “I’m going to corrupt him so hard.”

Gavin gave a dramatic sigh. “If I didn’t like Cole so much, I’d hate him. That prick always gets the rare, limited-time flavors.” He eased the car to a stop beside the curb and killed the lights.

My mind instantly switched tracks, my heart drumming with excitement. In less than a minute, I would be in Cole’s arms.

“Thanks for the ride, Gavin.”

“Anytime, cupcake. Even if it wasn’t the ride I wanted to give you.”

“Good glory.” I removed one of my gloves and threw it at him.

He caught and kissed it.

An-n-nd there went the fifth eye-roll.

There went another answering grin.

I abandoned the warmth of the car for the frigid chill of the night, my boots crunching in ice as I raced toward the spacious one-story with red brick and white wood trim. In my eagerness, I missed the rock in my path and tripped.

A+, self.

Cole’s window was in back, the first on the left. It was unlocked, just as he’d promised. I scrambled inside as quietly as possible and closed the glass behind me.

Before I could turn around or adjust to the deeper darkness of the room, I was grabbed.

A hard hand clamped over my mouth, silencing my gasp. Another hand wrapped around me, pinning my arms to my sides to prevent my elbows from doing any damage.

“I said five minutes, Miss Bell.” Cole’s low, husky voice caressed me, draining the fight right out of me. “You took eight. Do you know what that means?”

I swallowed a giggle. “I need to buy a watch?”

“You’re finally getting that spanking I’ve been promising you.” His hands fell away, and I spun to face him, keeping my eyes to the floor out of habit.

Usually, when our eyes met for the first time during any given day, we had a vision of our future. We’d caught a glimpse of each other earlier this morning, saving us the hassle now.

I was glad.

What we’d seen... I hadn’t let myself think about it, too afraid I’d break down. Cole, leaning against a tree, crimson streaking his face and chest, soaking his hands, his expression a mix of unequaled pain and immeasurable grief as I walked away from him.

Walked. Away.

There was no reason good enough for that.

How badly was he injured? When would the vision come true? In a few days? Weeks? Months? There had never been any sort of time limit. The only guarantee was that it would happen. We’d never managed to stop one.

Red alert! Red alert! Impending emotional breakdown.

I shoved the worry into the mental box, stretching the sides. It was a fight, but I managed to lock the lid.

Better. For now.

“You can look at me,” he said. “I won’t bite...very hard.”

My gaze moved up, up and linked with his, and suddenly I was trapped by a yearning that had plagued me since the first moment we’d met. For him...for this...for more.

A slow grin lifted the corners of his wicked mouth.

Dude. While Gavin was pretty, Cole was pure, rugged sex appeal. He should totally come with a warning. Possible panty melting. Moonlight spilled over him, illuminating him, and for a few seconds, I thought I heard angels singing. His black hair stood out in adorable spikes, as if he’d plowed his hands through the strands one too many times. Eager to see me, perhaps? His gorgeous violet eyes were framed by lashes so thick and black, he always looked like he’d applied eyeliner.

As for the rest of him...

Good glory! I knew the physique hidden by his clothing. Skin bronzed to perfection. Muscles honed to perfection. A perfect chest covered by the most perfect tattoos. One of his nipples was pierced—meow!—and it was, you guessed it, perfect.

His knuckles feathered over my cheek, the slight touch electrifying me. “I missed you.”

Shivering, I said, “How much?”

“Why? Do you think you missed me more?”

“Sure of it.”

“I will happily prove you wrong. After I see my surprise.”

“Get ready for pure awesomeness.” I lifted my hair and pivoted, revealing my neck.

Silence descended.

I frowned, suddenly nervous. What if he didn’t like it? Ink was permanent.

“Ali.” His voice, so husky and deep, was temptation and silk, stroking over me. “Did I ever tell you all the reasons I love you?”

“No.” I licked my lips and shook my head, gathering the courage to face him. His eyes were heavy-lidded, smoldering.

He liked the tattoo.

“Tell me now,” I commanded softly.

“I’ll tell you the top ten. One,” he said and kissed my forehead. “You are brutally honest. It’s such a rare and precious trait.”

Major points for my man: he’d led with personality rather than appearance.

“Two.” He kissed my eye. “You have the perfect sense of humor...perfect for me. It’s a little warped, and a lot twisted, and you can make me laugh when no one else can.”

I almost melted. Almost. I had to hear the rest. “Go on or I’ll hurt you.” Had I sounded as breathless to him as I had to myself?

He chuckled. “Three.” He kissed my other eye, gentle, so gentle. “You’re smart. I want to see your brain naked.”

Ha!

“Four. You are freaking hot.”

“Obviously.” And okay, yeah, he got points for that, too. Maybe because I so very rarely felt hot. Or maybe because I so desperately wanted another kiss. A harder one. On my lips. With tongue and teeth. And roaming hands. Or maybe because I wanted him to want all of me.

“Five.” He kissed my cheek, and I moaned. More. “You are unbelievably kind.” He kissed my other cheek. “Six. You love with your whole heart, nothing held back.”

“Come on. Kiss me for real.” Did he want me to beg? Because I would...after I made him beg a little, too.

“Seven.” He pressed his lips against one side of my jaw, skipping my lips, dang him. “You are such a good fighter, I could stand back and watch you do all the hard work, and I wouldn’t feel like a wuss. I’d feel like a genius.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“Eight.” He kissed his way to the other side of my jaw. “The way you sometimes look at me... It’s as if I’m the sweetest dessert in the bakery and you are desperate for a bite.”