The Girl Who Punched Back (Death Fields 2)

“I guess it makes me feel better that he’ll be out there with you.”

“Yeah. I know what you mean.”

There’s a knock on the door and we both look over. Cole stands in the doorway looking red-eyed and tired. He’s got a full day of stubble on his chin, the hair darker and a little redder than the blonde on his head. He looks at me with interest and a hint of intensity that causes heat to spread down my limbs. He may not be a ninja but he’s pretty freaking cute, and I know from experience he can start a fire without a match and kill an Eater one-handed.

Not that I’m looking for a life partner or anything, but it’s a little easier surviving the end-of-days with someone to be close to.

“Hey,” I say, sliding off the bed. He walks in and slips a hand around my waist.

“I was taking a break and thought I’d check in.” He gives me a small grin. “Didn’t know you’d be down here.”

“Yeah, had a late training with the Fighters.”

He quirks his eyebrow. “So it’s official?”

I shrug. “Official enough.”

We stay and talk with Chloe until her brain seems to get foggier. Cole says it happens when she’s tired, but I see the concern in his eyes. I give Chloe a hug and wait outside the door as he tells her goodnight.

“I guess you’re heading back to the lab?” I ask when he exits the room. He doesn’t reply but takes my hand and quickly walks me down the hall. “Uh, Cole?”

He opens a door and pulls me inside. It’s warm—some sort of storage/utility closet and in the dim light I barely make out the lines of his face.

“What’s going on?”

“Just wanted a minute with you—alone.” His hands are on my hips and I move closer. “Is that okay?”

I nod, touching my forehead to his chin. “Yeah. It’s been a long week.”

“Too long.”

His lips press against my forehead and the hairs on my neck stand on end.

“So is this some sort of Jordan Catalano fantasy thing?” I ask.

“Uh, who?”

“My So-Called Life? You know, the infamous boiler room scene?” He looks at me, blank-eyed, and I sigh. “All of that will be lost one day, you know? Pop-culture and movie references. ‘Nobody puts baby in a corner’ and all of that. Totally lost.”

“I’m already lost.”

He runs his lips down my neck and my breath catches. I press against him, kissing his collarbone, inhaling his warm scent, until the want is too great and our mouths meet.

Our time alone is limited, each minute of our day micro-managed with assignments. Feeling good isn’t part of the day. Stress, exhaustion, hunger—even in this safe place—dominates my emotions. But this? I sink into the kiss deeper, feeling nothing but Cole’s mouth and his fingers gripping my waist and the hard press of the door behind me.

“I think we could leave at any moment,” I say, catching my breath.

“Did they say something? Wyatt?”

“No, not really, but it feels like we’re getting ready.”

Cole frowns. “Okay, then. I’ll be ready.”

“Ready?”

“To come with you guys. I got clearance from the lab to work on the vaccination team—including off-site.”

“What about Chloe?”