I don’t think it will make a difference if you destroy it.”
I’d pulled a table umbrella from its stand and was using it, rather ineffectively, to knock the camera off the side of the building.
“Really, I’m sure the footage is stored in a computer somewhere.” He had two fingers over his lips, making every effort to hide his burgeoning smile.
Slamming the umbrella to the ground, I fisted my hands on my hips and glared at him.
He let go with a deep belly laugh. It would’ve been contagious if I weren’t so furious. My senses were reeling. I felt denied.
“Sweetheart, listen.” The term of endearment stopped me cold. Nothing else would have. I could not explain away the affection in his eyes because I felt it, too. “We’re in dangerous territory here.”
“Right now the only thing that’s dangerous is me, especially when I get my hands on Thomas.”
“Emerson—”
I tilted my head to one side. “I think you have nickname clearance now.”
I tried to appreciate his smile without focusing on his lips.
“Em, it was a good thing you saw that camera when you did.” Michael sounded as if he were trying to convince himself. “We could have had a major disaster on our hands.”
“Right now the earth could fall off its axis, and I wouldn’t give a rat’s behind.”
Michael’s gaze skimmed over my bare shoulders, and he reached out to gently pull my jacket around them. “I’ve known since before we met how it would be between us. But knowing didn’t prepare me for you. I’m sorry.”
“I wish I could say I was sorry.”
“The rules about … fraternization … are in place for a reason.” He gestured to the fence and then closed his eyes. “This can’t happen again.”
I’d never had a real relationship. Back before my world went pear shaped, I indulged in the occasional fantasy involving a movie star or pop singer like any other normal teenage girl, but the last few years had been spent in an on-again, off-again with Joe Pharmaceutical. I had no idea how normal relationships worked to begin with, and Michael and I were far from normal. Talk about going from zero to sixty in eight seconds or less. I should contact the Guinness Book of World Records, category: “making up for lost time.”
Michael ran his hands over his face again. “We don’t need to be confused when there’s a bigger purpose.”
“I’m not confused at all.” Just worked up. “And what bigger purpose? It’s not like we’re saving the world.”
He said nothing.
“Michael?”
I considered flipping him over my shoulder again to make myself feel better. I told him as much.
“I think it’s time you explain that particular trick.”
Michael and I sat on the flat section of roof outside our bedroom windows. We’d reconnected after going back to our respective lofts; it was late after all, and I didn’t want my brother to ask any questions. Considering Thomas and his spying habit, I was already going to be in for it due to the evidence captured by the security camera. I hoped he would believe nothing happened.
Not that it did. Of this I was painfully aware.
We kept a safe amount of distance between us. No matter how far away Michael sat, I still felt an insatiable pull toward him. It grew stronger all the time, as if our centers were connected. Made it hard to concentrate.
“How did you become a teenage ninja?” He didn’t bother to hide the teasing in his voice.
“I took martial arts as my physical education elective at school. I was the best in the class. Once the semester was over I pursued my black belt at a private studio. I passed the test for brown right before I came home.” I sensed his doubtful look rather than seeing it. The streetlights didn’t quite shine high enough to light our perch above them, and the moon was a waxing crescent. “I know. It was a shock to me, too, but it was a healthy way to take out my frustrations.”
“It’s not been very healthy for me,” he said, his chuckle quiet in the night air.
“I’ve gone easy on you. Tell me, will my ass-kicking abilities come in handy when I’m ‘saving the world’?”
“It’s not the whole world, exactly.”