The Alpha And The Angel

6_I Like Kissing You

Cole POV

I am sitting in the waiting room, with my elbows resting on my knees and my fingers intertwined, staring at my dirty feet. I desperately need a shower and fresh clothes, but I cannot bring myself to go home while my mate is having her CT scan. She is bewildered enough as it is.

“Strays, Cole,” Ruth sounds annoyed as she sits next to me. “Seriously?”

“What are you doing here?” I sit up straight and look at my sister. I am not in the mood for one of her tantrums. “You hate the clinic.”

“Yes, I do,” she visually trembles. “All medical facilities still give me the creeps, but I had to see for myself if the rumours are true.”

“Rumours?” I frown.

“About the human and the vampire,” she rolls her eyes.

“Well …”

“Seriously,” she slaps me against the shoulder. “Another stray? Why don’t you just announce our location to the world? Throw open our borders and welcome every Tom, D!ck and Harry to…”

“Enough, Ruth!” I cut her off sharply. “I took an oath to protect, which includes humans, whether you like it or not.”

“Bringing them home isn’t part of your duties,” she argues.

“I am the alpha,” I hiss. “And I shall do what needs to be done. Are we clear?”

“Whatever,” she huffs, rolls her eyes, and stands up. “I’m going out.”

“Where are you going?” I growl as an ominous feeling settles in my gut. Ruth is hanging out with a rough crowd. I am trying not to be a hovering and annoying big brother, but she is an adult and free to make her own choices. The more I object, the more she hangs out with them.

“It’s Fiona’s birthday,” she lifts her chin.

“For heaven’s sake, Ruth,” I jump up, grab her by the arm and swing her around. “Have you lost your mind? Going to Blue Moon Creek is asking for trouble. I killed that vamp within our borders. Will you take a second and just think how bad it is outside our borders? It’s not safe.”

“Well, Alpha,” she sneers and yanks her arm free from my hold. “Then I suggest that you care less about the strays and more about your pack. I’m not going to sit at home like an old, dried-up spinster just because you can’t protect me.”

“Keep pushing me,” my voice is deceivingly calm. “I’ll happily ban you to your room until …”

I abruptly stop talking when the doors open, and Mayer enters with my mate. The entire pack is aware of Ruth’s rebellious ways but arguing with her in public will only encourage her to be more defiant.

I lock eyes with my mate and my heart skips a beat when I remember how her lips felt on mine. She is still wearing the oversized t-shirt which Preston provided and Mayer must have given her the tracksuit pants.

“Wow,” Ruth whispers to me, her antagonism towards me forgotten for a moment. “I thought Preston exaggerated, but she really is that hot.”

“Her CT is clean, and …” Mayer says as he looks at me.

“Oh, goody,” Ruth cuts him off sarcastically. “Another victory for the alpha.”

“Ruth …”

“Gotta go,” Ruth interrupts me and pats me on the back. “Bye, Doc. Bye, Amber.”

“Ruth, please,” I beg but my words fall on deaf ears as she waves goodbye and walks away.

Ariella POV

I am completely unprepared for the jab of jealousy and disappointment which jolts through me when I look at the lovely girl next to Cole. Why would I care if he has a girlfriend or wife? But when I look intensely at her, I relax.

I do not know who she is, but the tension between her and Cole is tangible. I can tell it is not a lover’s quarrel by her looks. She has the same dark hair and blue eyes as Cole. She must be his sister or cousin. Cole does not seem old enough to have a daughter of that age.

“Amber?” I frown and look at Cole as we watch the girl walk away. “Does she know me?”

“No,” he sighs and tiredly rubs over his eyes. “She referred to the colour of your eyes.”

“Oh,” I shrug and look at the floor. The truth is that I have no idea what I look like. I have not encountered a mirror, but I can only imagine that I will give a scarecrow a run for its money after being thrown into a tree. “Well, I guess it’s better than sweet cheeks.”

“Then pick a name if you want the nicknames to stop or let us help you figure out who you are,” Cole raises his eyebrows.

“Miss,” Mayer clears his throat. “Are you certain we can’t run more tests to …”

“No, thank you, Doctor,” I say adamantly. Honestly, I would love to know who I am and where I am from but after my meltdown in the examination room, I know I am not ready for the truth.

“Okay,” Mayer nods. “You know where to find me if you change your mind.”

I look indecisively at Cole when Mayer leaves us alone in the room. I should thank him and leave, but I do not want to. The kiss is vividly engraved in my mind. I cannot remember my past life, but I am willing to bet it was the best kiss I ever had, and I want to kiss him again.

He exhales deeply as he pushes his fingers through his hair.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly. I am aware that I do not know him at all, but it is the first time he has not been chatty since we met.

“Yes,” his smile does not reach his eyes.

“Liar,” I snort and roll my eyes.

“Fine, you win,” he grins. “It was a long night.”

“Women, right?” I tease him.

“What?” He looks at me stunned.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that me and that girl are the source of your worries,” I reply.

“My sister, Ruth,” he smiles grimly. “And I would rather not discuss it.”

“I didn’t ask you to,” I say cooly. “I was simply stating a fact.”

“It’s almost midnight,” he changes the subject. “Let’s go home. You must be dying to take a shower, just like me.”

I am on the verge of declining but mentioning a shower changes my mind. I have seen my feet several times and it is not pretty. And if I am honest – I am not ready to say goodbye to Cole. He has this magnetism that I cannot explain but I must get over that quickly. I am nothing to him and it would be selfish and unfair to expect him to take care of me.

“I would love that,” I find my voice and follow him outside.

“Are you okay to walk?” he looks at me. “I can call for transportation.”

“Walking is fine,” I reassure him and look at the sky where the stars are brighter than ever. “I love this time of night.”

“Is that a memory?” He asks softly and walks closer to me.

“I don’t know,” I admit and instinctively take his hand in mine. He stiffens for a second, but instead of pulling away, he holds my hand tighter. “I just looked at the sky and realised I liked it.”

“It must be scary not knowing who you are,” he murmurs.

“When I woke up, I was confused,” I sigh. “Now I’m just angry and frustrated.”

“I bet you’ll feel better after a refreshing shower,” he squeezes my hand.

“Thanks for everything,” I say. “For saving me, getting me medical attention and comforting me when I was crying.”

“It’s a pleasure,” he smiles. “It was the right thing to do.”

His words sting and I swallow hard on the disappointment. I know he will save everyone, but does he kiss them as well? I do not want him to kiss other people. I know it is absurd. I had known him for only a couple of hours, but something happened when he comforted me. Something I do not have a name for. I felt safe and special, and the kiss was pure and sacred.

“Cole,” I stop walking and look at him.

“What’s wrong?” He frowns and comes to stand in front of me.

“I liked kissing you,” I gently place my palm against his cheek. “I like how I feel when you’re around and touching me. I don’t know why. I just do.”

He looks at me in surprise for just a second before he leans over, and I sigh contently when his lips meet mine. The same shockwave of emotions - which I felt the first time - flows through me, and I put my arms around his neck and pull him closer.

I do not care that people can see us. I do not care that I am wearing borrowed clothes and that I am barefoot. All that matters is the warmth spreading through me and calming my anger.

His arms go around my waist and he pulls me tightly against his chest as his tongue explores my mouth.

I lose track of time and have no idea if the kiss lasted seconds or minutes. I swallow my protest and disappointment when he ends the kiss, but he does not let go of me.

“I will kiss you again, I promise,” he murmurs and kisses me softly. “But first, we should get home.”