Page 12 of Strip Search
“She can’t be.” I snap. “She can’t love me. That’s not how this works.”
“Oh, you foolish man. That’s exactly how this works. She loves you, you let her intolove you, and you return that love.” Jade turns toward me and places her hand on my cheek. “Cole, you’re not unlovable, and you know as well as I do that you’re capable of giving love.”
I gently wrap my hand around her wrist and pull her hand away from my face. “I didn’t come here for comfort or pity Jade. I came here to get laid. This isn’t a psych session.”
Jade laughs and leans her head on my shoulder. “I never said it was. I only want to see you happy, truly happy. You’re a good guy and eventually, the time is going to run out on you and me.”
My body tenses. “You’ve met someone?” I don’t even have to ask. Jade immediately sits up and looks me in the eyes.
“It’s still new. We’re not exclusive...yet. But, I like him. A lot.”
I run a hand through my hair and let out a curse. “Shit. You should have told me. I wouldn’t have come over tonight.”
“Cole, it was you or I was going to seek someone out. This guy, we’ve gone on one date so far. Nothing’s happened, and I needed what you gave me just as much as you did.”
There’s one difference between Jade and me. She still enjoys the scene. I do not. Sometimes I think I miss it but then I realize, I really don’t. That chapter closed with Smitty settling down, and my feelings for Molly ramping up.
“One date and you're hooked? You haven’t even had sex with him yet? What if he’s a bad lay?” I tease.
She swats my arm and shakes her head. “Stop. If he’s a bad lay, I’ll just call you.” She blushes. “Besides. I’ve known him for a while, I’ve only recently convinced him that we should try a little more.”
“Alright, I’ll bite.” I get the feeling she wants me to be interested in this. “Who is he?”
“Oh no. I’m am not telling you! You’re not running a background check on him and going to interview him and threaten him within an inch of his life, thank you very much.”
Her retort earns her a glare from me. “Jade. Who’s the fucker who’s got you all swoony inside?”
“I’m not telling you. I mean it. You’ll find out when I’m damn good and ready.”
“You would have been better off not saying anything at all.” I wink at her. “I’ll figure it out all on my own.”
“Whatever. Moving right along. Do you want to tell me what Molly did this time that had you in a horny rage?”
I probably shouldn’t tell her. “She kissed me.” Apparently, my brain thinks otherwise, and my filter is broken.
Jade’s eyes go wide. “She...kissed you?”
“I kissed her back.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my thighs and hang my head. Tugging on my hair, I let out a frustrated groan. “And then I told her it should have never happened.”
She doesn’t even hesitate to reach over and smack me upside my head. “And then you came here? You’re an asshole.”
I snort. “Right, because we didn’t know that already.” I should have known Jade wouldn’t take my side on this one. “I think I’m going to call it a night,” I tell her as I stand up and put the rest of my clothes back on.
“Cole,” she whispers.
“I’m fine, Jade. I’m going home to work something out with Cody and going to bed. I’m fine. Thank you for tonight,” I say as I pull my shirt down over my head.
I give her a kiss on the forehead and walk out the door. She’s shaking her head at me as I climb inside my truck and back out of her driveway.