“You need to calm down.” He said, his fingers curling into fists as his eyes darted down to her wound and back at her again. Ray’s eyes shuttered, a fraction of that ice thawing at the angry softness in his eyes, “You’re going to pull your stitches.”
“I don’t care.” She said abruptly and pulled away from him. Angel watched her get up with a slight wince and brush the sand off her pants as she turned to face the girl sitting far away from them. A lump of concern, mixed with slight regret filled his chest, making him scramble to get up and grab her hand.
Ray’s entire body froze at the contact, and she turned sharply, her mouth open to spout curses when she paused. Angel gulped, showing the apology in his eyes as he put it in words.Hatinghimself for doing so.
“I didn’t mean to imply–” he started and let out a harsh breath, pulling her closer as he did so, “I shouldn’t have said it like that.”
Ray was close. Suddenly so close that Angel couldn’t forget this morning.
Last night. Her legs against his. Her lips so close to his throat as she slept. And he lay there all night.
Wide fucking awake.
The ice in her eyes melted at the look in his eyes. Angel’s hair swayed violently with the cold wind as he looked at her.Wondered if she was thinking the same thing he was.Ray took a step forward, and another, until they were standing closer. Until there was nothing but a fraction of distance left between them. Angel dipped his chin, watched her take a deep breath, and flex her jaw.
Shit.
“We’re even.” She murmured, and Angel swore he was going to get whiplash from the roller coaster of their conversations. Still, a small smile tipped the corner of his lips as she tilted her head and looked up at him. With the orange light on her face, and her hand in his and her eyes like that.
Angel’s throat bobbed. Her eyes darted at the action, darkening a tint as she lifted her head. And Angel leaned down. Just an inch. His eyes not shuttingonce.
“Look,”
He froze and saw the shutter of amusement and disappointment flicker in her eyes. A part of him rejoiced at that reaction, but then she continued speaking.
“I’d really kiss you,” she said, “But the kid you brought along is kind of watching us.”
Angel swore. At himself and then at her.
“You’re such a prick.” He couldn’t help but say as he took a breathless step away from her and looked back at her. And stilled at the expression on her face.
Ray grinned a grin that stopped his heart.
And started it back again.
Angel’s hands landed on his chest, and he saw her eyes widen in surprise as he played at stumbling back, “Don’t do that. You’ll blind me.”
The grin fell off her face, a look of annoyance crossing her face as his own lips tipped with a large smile,
“Why Storm? Sad you won’t get to smile for me anymore?”
Ray’s scoff was so loud, it carried and flew with the wind.
But she didn’t reply. Just turned angrily on her heels and stalked in the little girl’s direction. Angel remained rooted to his spot as he saw the girl scramble to her feet as Ray neared her. He watched the girl shove the water bottle in Ray’s hands and say something to her in a hurried voice. His brows furrowed when she pointed in his direction.
His frown only deepened as Ray looked over her shoulder and tipped the water bottle in his direction.A thank you,he realized as she twisted the bottle cap open and kept her gaze on his as she tipped the bottle against her lips.
Angel’s eyes widened at the harmless action, his lips parting. It was a simple thing, she was just drinking water. But he saw that mischievous gleam in her eyes as she gulped the water. One.Two sips.And brought it down.
Only then did she look away.
Shivers erupted on his skin.
This fucking girl.
His glare hardened into something harmless. Something playful as she peeped over her shoulder and caught the look on his face.
Angel jerked forward, ignoring the pounding of his heart as he forced seriousness on his face when he neared both of them. The girl had her gaze fixated on Ray when Angel’s palm carefully landed against her lower back. Angel felt the shiver in her body, heard the soft inhale as he leaned close enough to whisper in her ear,
