Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Meet up for sex. That’s all it is with Nate. And that’s what I prefer. Something easy that feels good. I quickly text him back and let him know we won’t be in San Diego, but I give him the location of our next stop—in case his plans change and he’s in the area.
“Everything okay?” Thatcher asks, noticing my silence and how I stare at the phone screen.
“Yes.” I sit straighter and pocket my phone back into my onesie. “It was just Nate. He wants to meet up during the tour at some point.”
He narrows his eyes on the highway. “If he’s coming on the bus, I need to know.”
“I’ll tell you,” I promise. “But I’m still leaning towards not having Nate here at all.”
His brows knit, as though a question is on his mind. Like me, he doesn’t ask. He won’t broach Nate beyond security protocols.
He rubs his mouth a few times, then places his strict hand back on the wheel. The unspoken things brew a greater tension.
I keep talking. “I think it’s better if I don’t bring him on the bus. He’s just a friends-with-benefits.”
It feels too personal letting Nate join the tour in some capacity. He’s not a boyfriend, and I consider the people on this bus more important.
This is their home for four months.
No matter how much I love sex or how hot and bothered I already am, I have to make do with the hotel pit stops. Just me and my lovely vibrator.
Thatcher nods. “Whatever you want to do, I’m here for you.” His voice is strict like usual, and I ache to ask, what do you want to do?
He’s not supposed to be that person in my life.
I’m not even sure why I want him to be more. He’s a terrific bodyguard who makes me feel extraordinarily safe—among other things.
I don’t want to lose him.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He lets out a deeper breath, and then focuses on the road. After a short beat, he tells me, “Merry Christmas, Jane.”
My smile brightens. “Merry Christmas, Thatcher.”
SIX
DIRTY DANCING IN SCOTLAND
DECEMBER 2038
DURING CHAPTERS 19 AND 20 IN SINFUL LIKE US
We listened to "Baba O'Riley" by The Who, plus all the music mentioned in the bonus while writing this scene.
Character List:
Jack Highland - 27
Jane Cobalt - 23
Maximoff Hale - 23
Charlie Cobalt - 21
Beckett Cobalt - 21
Sullivan Meadows - 20
Joana Oliveira - 19
Luna Hale - 19
Bodyguards:
Oscar Oliveira - 31 Omega (Current Client: Charlie Cobalt)
Farrow Keene - 28 Omega (Current Client: Maximoff Hale)
Thatcher Moretti - 28 Omega (Current Client: Jane Cobalt)
O’Malley - 27 Epsilon (Current Client: Beckett Cobalt)
Paul Donnelly - 27 Omega (Current Client: Xander Hale)
Akara Kitsuwon - 27 Omega Lead (Current Client: Sullivan Meadows)
Quinn Oliveira - 21 Omega (Current Client: Luna Hale)
PAUL DONNELLY
THIS TRIP COULDN’T have come at a better time. It’s hard to even think it—but I didn’t want to be in Philly. Not this week.
Christmas lights twinkle in the dark Scottish pub. Fireplace is crackling, and a TV is turned on, volume low. Woulda cut some people off the guest list if I could’ve, but at least I’m here as some type of pseudo-bodyguard and as Farrow’s friend.
Since Xander stayed back home to attend his therapy sessions, I’m not getting paid to be here as security, but I’m helping out because I want to. Comms are working alright, and I have the earpiece in my ear, sitting with SFO on the sofas and surveying the pub while some of the famous ones drink.
“Cobalt princess is getting wasted,” Oscar narrates.
Jane has a silly grin on her face and sways near the fireplace further away from us. Her cheeks are rosy while she’s cupping another glass of whiskey. It’s just as fun for me being on the sober side of things.
I’ve never needed liquor to have a good night.
And I see that Luna and Sulli are hanging out with their cousin near the fireplace. Luna is wearing a black knitted sweater with green stars. I wonder if she made it herself.
I smile, then look to my friend. “Nah,” I tell Oscar. “Cobalts are immune to alcohol. They’ve got extra ordinary tolerances.” I purposefully chop up that one word into two.
Farrow raises his brows at me. “They’ve been drunk before.”
“Define drunk,” I smirk.
“Plastered on the floor.”
“Never seen it.” I have. But I’m not tearing down the immortalized strength of the Cobalt Empire. Only building that baby up.
Farrow looks to Thatcher. The most stoic bodyguard remains completely quiet and swigs a water. He’s dating a Cobalt now, so his loyalties could be tied more strongly to them to where he’s not going to mention a drunken incident.
But partly, I’m thinking he’s just quiet because he’s trying not to focus too hardcore on Jane tonight.
Oscar pipes in, “Eliot. I’ve seen it.”
I motion to him with my water. “Stop firing shots at my lion cubs.”