Beautifully Shattered

“Oh my God, it’s green, Co

“Tell me you love me.”

How does he even have a license? “Fine, I love you, now drive.”

“You wish is my command, sis.” He pats my knee. “I’m sorry about that Jax comment . . . Just don’t give up on him.”

“What does that even mean?”

He shrugs and focuses on not killing us. The rest of the drive, the only thing on my mind is Jax. I hate that I can’t stop thinking about him and I hate that it’s Co

And then he gives me his sad face, complete with pouting lips. Even though I’m still irked at him for not explaining what he means about Jax, I lean against him, loving how safe he makes me feel. As much as I hate to admit it, I love Co

Once we’re inside, Co

My eyes are glued to his flat stomach as he inhales his turkey and roast beef sandwich. Logan will be here soon with di

“When are you meeting the good doctor? I still can’t believe you haven’t told him you’re coming back here and not going on a date.” He holds his fist out for a fist-bump. I shove it away and check the time on my phone.

“Crap, I have to go. I’m late.”

As I scramble to stand, I trip over the barstool and almost fall flat on my face. Luckily Co

“The chair tried to kill me. Be back soon.”

He chuckles as he walks me out. “Oh yes, it was my murderous chair and not my sister who can’t walk a straight line sober.”

“Be nice . . . so basically don’t be you,” I say before the elevator doors close in his face.

As I enter the coffee shop, all the chaos overwhelms me. How the heck am I going to find Kohen? I didn’t need to worry, his beautiful smiling face stands out in the sea of people. He leans against the wall with two coffee cups in his hands. I fight the urge to wrinkle my nose. I hate hot coffee. I’m a frappuccino girl all the way.

As I make my way towards him, I notice that the majority of women are stealing glances at him or bluntly staring. Some women have no shame. Then again, I can’t blame them. He’s easy to look at especially tonight. He’s sporting dark jeans and a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, displaying his muscular forearms. It’s simple, yet sexy in a mouthwatering way. Jax looks better. My subconscious is nice enough to remind me of something that I’m very aware of. I don’t care, I’m not comparing the two. I’m not that girl.

It isn’t until I’m in front of him that I realize I’ve been gawking at him with my mouth wide open. I promptly shut it. His grin is sinfully sexy, with a hint of danger. I think it’s forced though, he doesn’t seem like anyone who could be dangerous. He’s the boy-next-door. He extends his hand. I accept the coffee without making a face. Go me!

“Thanks.” Tentatively I take a sip and I’m pleasantly surprised it’s my one and only favorite hot drink.

Mmm, I love this chocolatey goodness. It seems too big of a coincidence for him to just guess my favorite drink. I open my mouth to ask him about it, but I’m struck speechless when he wipes a dab of chocolate from my lip and sucks his thumb into his mouth. Holy-hotness. Talk about a bold move. It’s been too long since I’ve flirted with anyone besides Jax. I’m way out of my league when it comes to Kohen. Any man if I’m being honest. Flirting? Me? Ha, what a joke!

Leaning in so his lips brush against my ear, he whispers, “Mmm, Adaly

I would be lying if I said he doesn’t affect me. I meet his azure eyes, attempting to figure him out. No luck. I have a sinking feeling he’s not the man that he appears. He’s wearing a mask, too. Can I make him take it off? Will I take mine off for him and open up to him? I seriously doubt it. I don’t want anyone to know me. I like being isolated. You sure about that? I have no idea what I want anymore. I do know I need to make sure this man is real. I reach out to touch him, but I’m pushed from behind. I accidentally bump into Kohen and spill my boiling hot drink down my chest.

I suck in a breath. Fuck, that’s hot. In a split second Kohen has me behind him in a protective gesture and is confronting some poor teenager terrified for his life. I forget about my boiling skin and focus on the scene in front of me. Kohen says something too low for me to hear and the teenager’s eyes nearly bulge out of his head. Whatever it is, it isn’t pleasant and is very u

He leans into the guy’s face and says something else. The teenager and his friends practically run out of the coffee shop. Kohen releases my wrist. His body shudders with the effort to calm down before he faces me. I’m expecting rage in his eyes, but he’s composed as if he didn’t just make a scene and scare the crap out of some poor kids. What just happened? If it wasn’t for my sore wrist, I would think that I’ve imagined the whole thing. I look from my wrist, that has the clear indentation of his hands wrapping around it, to his face. The sadness I see there makes whatever nasty comment I was going to make die on my tongue.

Caressing his face I say, “Hey, it’s okay, it was an accident.”

He doesn’t say anything. He lightly traces his index finger over the red mark on my wrist.

“It was an accident. Now let’s go eat some burgers and watch a movie.”

I nearly have to drag him out of the coffee shop. When we cross the street, I can tell he’s coming out of his sulky mood. We’re almost at Co

I swipe the access card to the penthouse. Once the elevator start its rise to the top, it’s clear I’m not taking him to a restaurant.

“Since I already know you don’t live here, mind telling me where you’re taking me?” Kohen asks.

Well, there goes the surprise. I wonder how he’s going to take the news. I square my shoulders, preparing for battle. Here goes nothing.

“Co

He doesn’t speak. I’m go

“Sure that’s such a safe idea?” I give my what-the-heck look. “Last time we tried this I’m pretty sure one of them was trying not to punch me.”

Instantly, I picture The God’s too gorgeous face. I force out a laugh, pretending like I have no idea what he means.

“You were the one who assumed I didn’t have plans tonight, so now you have to suffer along with me.” When the elevators open into Co

Hand-in-hand, we stroll through Co