She was stretched out on her side on top of the cover, dressed in jeans and a soft scooped necked tee. Her hands tucked under her cheek, she was fast asleep. His eyes wandered over her. The dip of her waist. The curve of her hip. Back up to her face. She looked serene lying there asleep. He was tempted to put a knee to the bed and climb in beside her. The pull was strong. Clenching his jaw, he resisted.
“Shannon!” he barked, and she jerked awake. Her sleepy eyes went to him, and she sat up.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Crash.” Hearing his name on her lips, all soft and breathy like that about killed him and drove his voice to a growl.
“Never mind. You know what, I don’t give a fuck. Just get yourself gone.”
“Crash, please.” She reached out a hand. “Just talk with me.” He moved away, to the foot of the massive bed.
“Get out, Shannon. I mean it. Get the fuck out.” He gestured toward the door. Staring down at her when she didn’t move, he snapped, “Don’t make me say shit I’ll regret, babe.”
“Just listen to me, please?”
“How the hell did you get in?”
She just stared at him nervously, obviously not wanting to tell him how she got in. “Crash, please…”
“Never mind. I know. There’s only one other person with the passcode.” He pulled out his phone, punched in some numbers and put it to his ear. “You better get over here right now, and get her ass!”
“Do I need to bring a shovel?” Cole tried to joke with him.
“You will if you don’t get over here in five minutes.”
“Crash-”
“You pull a stunt like this again, and we are not brothers.” He disconnected and pitched the phone on the dresser.
Across town, Angel watched Cole set his phone down on the nightstand. “Are you going over there?”
Cole let out a snort. “Hell no.” He turned back to his wife and took her in his arms.
Shannon followed Crash as he stalked into the living area. He reached the island and whirled on her. “Why are you doing this?”
With no hesitation, she replied, “Because I need you, and because you need me, too.”
“That’s not what you said before. What’s changed?”
“I’ve changed. You c
hanged me.”
“Findin’ that hard to believe, Princess.”
“I needed saving, but, Crash, you need saving, too.”
“No, I don’t need shit. I’m fine.”
“You are so far from fine, you’re not even in the same zip code.” She moved to him, her hands reaching out to cup his face.
He grabbed her wrists, holding her away. “Don’t!” he snapped. He felt her try again, and he backed her up against the wall by the kitchen, pinning her there.
“Crash, I love you.”
“Stop,” he growled.
“I love you,” she repeated stubbornly.