Naia

The door hasn’t even fully closed before Cole is on me, pinning me against the wall.

My back collides painfully with the door hinges and I start to say something but I’m cut off when Cole’s mouth covers mine.

His tongue traces the seam of my lips and I immediately open them, allowing him to explore.

There are fireworks exploding in my head and my body feels like it’s on fire. All I can focus on is the feel and smell of Cole.

His lips are soft, almost silken, and pillowy against my own. I can feel the soft tickle of his breath beneath my nose, my fingers sliding through his hair as we breathe each other in.

I moan against his lips as his tongue battles mine for dominance. I feel one of his hands slide up my torso and over my bra . I arch against him.

That seems to be the right thing to do as his growls of satisfaction fill the room.

He lifts me up slightly and I wrap my legs around his waist, drawing him closer, closer, closer. Even through his jeans, I can feel hi m .

My core is molten . I just want him.

The rational part of me wonders if we’re moving too fast. I just met this man not even a few days ago and now he has me pinned up against my apartment wall, kissing the hell out of me.

But then Cole rips his mouth away from mine to latch onto my neck and all forms of coherent thoughts leave the room.

I hiss as his tongue swirls along my collarbone. “Oh, fuck.”

“That’s it,” Cole murmurs huskily against my skin as he nips and sucks at the sensitive skin. “Fucking moan, Naia.”

I cry out and press my hips against his, desperately craving any type of friction. “Fuck, Cole!”

“Good girl,” he croons .

My hands wander up to his cheeks, taking in his features without opening my eyes, all while my tongue explores as much of his mouth as I can.

His taste, his touch, his very presence. I can’t get enough of it. I want more.

Panting heavily, Cole pulls back, leaving me in an almost dazed state from how much I just put into that kiss. Warmth erupts within me as I gaze upon his expression. He looks. . . smug.

And something more.

Before I even have a moment to think, Cole’s lips cover mine again. I feel myself whine and moan before I even register that I did such a thing.

The satisfied snarls from Cole tell me that it was the right thing to do.

A purr of delight rumbles inside my throat as I feel a pair of strong hands hike up my dress , the slightly rough texture of Cole’s palms against my bare skin, along with the feeling of his tongue tracing circles around mine making my entire body shake as shivers born from absolute desire pass through me.

Comparing this to my past pitiful experience was pathetic. This was just so, so much more.

“Cole,” I moan.

Suddenly, I feel nothing.

I open up one eye to see Cole pulling back, looking disappointed.

“I have to go,” he says mournfully, his lips swollen.

“W-what?” I ask. My brain is so fuzzy, I’m having a hard time comprehending what’s going on.

He gently places me on the ground, steadying me when my jelly-like legs nearly give out.

“I have to go,” he repeats. “I just remember I have somewhere important to be.”

Again?

He just remembered now? While we were making out?

My cheeks are on fire as I’m suddenly embarrassed. Does he think I’m being too forward? Is that why he’s making this bullshit excuse?

Is there another woman?

Cole tips my chin up with a finger, his blue eyes boring into mine.

“It has nothing to do with you,” he says firmly. “If it were my choice, I would have stayed all night .”

My face must be as red as a tomato at this point.

“I will be back,” he promises. “And then, we are going to finish where we last left off.”

As if to seal that promise, he gives me a kiss so passionate it makes my toes curl.

When the door shuts behind him, I groan and lean my head against the wall.

***

It’s been days, and I still haven’t heard from Cole.

Not one phone call or text or even a sighting around town.

I try not to worry too much about it, not wanting to appear like a stage five clinger, but it’s hard not to feel used.

Thankfully, my first shift at Cafe Matcha is today so it’ll help me get my mind off Cole and the weird questions he asked me on our date. What on earth did he mean by asking if I felt like I belonged here?

Uh, I hope I do. That’s why I moved to Reece Point. Next question.

As I had worked in a coffee shop before in Manhattan, it doesn’t take me long to learn the ropes and by the end of my shift, I’m feeling good about myself.

It isn’t until my third day that I realize something strange is going on.

“Hey, Teresa.” I turn toward my manager who is setting out a fresh batch of pastries. “Are the two tables closest to the door regulars? I haven’t seen them order anything and they’re here everyday so far.”

Teresa looks up and grimaces. “No, they aren’t regulars. They’re members of the local gang and I guess they feel Cafe Matcha is their new watering hole.”

“You aren’t going to tell them to get lost?” I ask skeptically. We used to tell people to leave all the time back in New York if we felt they were loitering.

She blanches. “Uh, no. And you shouldn’t either. They could be dangerous. Just leave them alone. They’ll find another place soon enough”

I glance at the two tables again. There are six men sitting at the two tables, dressed in all black. Some are staring out the window and others have brought books or laptops that they half-heartedly use.

Teresa’s warning is not good enough for me. They’re taking up valuable space that could be used for paying customers. If this were a huge cafe, it would be different, but Cafe Matcha only fits about eight to ten tables. Coupled with the fearful glances other patrons are giving them, they’re driving away business and I won’t stand for it.

That indignation fuels me to walk toward one of the tables where a red-headed man with a buzzcut lounges in his seat, staring blankly at his phone.

“Excuse me.” I paste on my sweetest customer service smile. “Is there anything I can get y’all? I’ve noticed you guys in here over the past few days and you haven’t ordered a thing. Is there a reason why?”

I can feel the two tables tense as the man looks up at me. He has sharp eyes that appear almost wolfish.

“We’re here to keep an eye on you,” the man says, sitting up straight.

“Henry!” One of his tablemates hisses but Henry waves a dismissive hand at him.

“Quiet, Lucas. She was bound to find out at some Point.”

My heart pounds in my chest and my mouth grows dry. All my bravado seems to have vanished.

“Keep an eye on me for what?” I ask, hoping my voice doesn’t squeak.

Henry casually shrugs, his eyes scanning the room. “Make sure you get to and from work safely.”

“And who told you to do this?” I demand, my hands curling into fists.

He flashes me a honed smile. It’s clear he’s marked my movements. “Cole, of course.”

What?

I have nothing else to say and I turn, nearly stumbling away, half-listening to the whispered conversations around me from other patrons.

“—did you see that new barista approach the Eridani gang?”

“She’s mighty brave for doing so—”

“—more like incredibly stupid. She could have been hurt!”

“Hopefully they don’t come after her. She’s very sweet and makes an excellent coffee—”

Teresa meets me at the counter, a horrified look on her face.

“What were you thinking?” She hisses as she hurries me to the back. “I told you to leave them alone! Are you okay? Did they threaten you?”

I shake my head, unable to speak.

Cole told them to keep an eye out for me? But why? And why hasn’t he contacted me?

Teresa presses a styrofoam cup into my hands. “I’ll handle the front. Just take a breather, okay?”

I sip the water, the cool liquid a welcome relief for my parched throat as I mull the conversation.

Cole is clearly trying to protect me from something. But what? Sure, it’s nice for a girl to be protected by a guy, but there has to be a reason for it.

I think back to the dream I had while unconscious. Of the human-sized wolves fighting each other and their dripping, black maws.

Shivering, I finish my drink and toss the cup into the trash, wrapping my arms around myself.

What other bad things are happening in Reece Point that would constitute Cole sending a gang to protect me? And if bad things were happening, why did the gang not say anything to me if they were trying to keep me from harm?

There’s too many questions and not enough answers.

And I deserve answers .

Before I can think this through, I march back toward the Eridani gang.

Everyone’s eyes are on me as I stop in front of Henry, who looks up at me with a lazy smile.

“Yes?” He asks condescendingly.

I ball my hands into fists, annoyed at his attitude.

“I want you to pass along a message to Cole for me.”

“I’m not the post office,” Henry yawns, bored of this conversation. “But alright, I’ll bite. What do you want me to tell Cole?”

Fucking prick.

“Tell Cole that he better contact me soon. Otherwise, whatever this is—” I wave an irritable hand in the air, “—is over.”