The Third Kiss (Love's Mortal Coil #1)

Chapter 7: Jonas

           

Jonas

The loss of feeling in my backside should have been my cue to get my ass off the veranda stairs and go to bed. Instead, I shifted on the unforgiving rock and continued palming my phone, waiting for a text, or better yet, the sound of a VW Beetle pulling into next-door's driveway.

The light from Aunt Helena's second story window had disappeared half an hour ago. If she wasn't asleep, she had to be wondering what the hell I was doing here, sitting in the dark, cultivating a serious case of numb ass—my second in as many days.

Yeah, I was wondering, too. Because, really, there was no logical reason for me to be waiting up for the girls, except...I couldn't get myself to move.

Around one, my phone finally vibrated with a text.

Thanks for a great night. See you tomorrow XO.

Not Beth.

I rubbed a hand over heavy eyes and looked at the caller ID to remind myself of the girl's name—Sarah. Yeah, you screwed that up nicely. One minute we were talking—well, she was talking while I eyeballed the wall of muscle Cora was getting friendly with—the next minute Sarah had me locked in a kiss. I pulled away as soon as my brain caught up with my unwilling body. I had no interest in the girl, but somehow she'd got it into her head that I'd be seeing her tomorrow. Hell, maybe I should have played along. I could have used some serious distraction after getting up close and personal with way too much of Cora's skin earlier tonight. No guy should ever have to see his best friend in that kind of getup.

The glare of headlights brought my head up from the screen of my phone, and I released a sigh of relief. They're home. Safe. Time to head inside.

Instead, I was charging up next door's driveway before the second car door had slammed.

"Where the hell have you been?" The words were out before I could filter them. "You left the party more than an hour ago." I found myself facing Cora, an edge creeping into my voice.

Her mouth gaped slightly. She blinked, marshalling her wits, before slowly arching a brow. "And who made you my father?"

"What's your problem?" Beth walked around from the other side of the Beetle. "We drove to the lookout to talk."

"Alone?" My eyes remained fixed on Cora, a low voltage buzzing through my blood, making me a little crazed.

"Yes." Beth gave me one of her elf queen eye rolls. "Not that it's any of your business."

"You're my sister. That makes it my business." One of Cora's bikini top strings had snuck out from under her T-shirt and hung over her shoulder. My fingers itched to tuck it away...or pull at the knot holding it all together.

Not helpful, you asshat.

I held my breath, the need to know they'd been there alone sudden and fierce.

"Jeez, Jonas, it was just the two of us. Cut the Big Brother crap already."

I sucked in much needed air and looked at my sister. "Damn it, Beth. The two of you were meant to look out for each other."

She frowned. "We did!"

"Then why was Cora sitting all alone, talking to some muscled-up guy with you nowhere to be seen?"

Beth glanced from me to Cora, then back again. "For your information, I could see her the whole time." Her voice was climbing toward terse.

Cora waved a hand between us. "I am here if anyone is interested. And for your information"—she turned to face me, eyes hazel daggers—"I can look after myself." Her face was flushed, but she kept her voice steady, which was more than I could say for my own.

"Who was that guy anyway?" I had no right to ask, but hell, I'd shot my mouth off already so why not keep digging that hole.

This time there was nothing slight about her gape. "Unlike Beth, I'm not your sister, so it's none of your business. But if you were so concerned, why didn't you stick around?" She stepped a fraction closer. "Or were you too busy entertaining some of Jess Tanner's friends?"

With a final icy look, Cora pushed past me, heading for her front door. "I'll see you tomorrow," she called over her shoulder to Beth. Then she disappeared inside.

I stood there, glaring at the closed door, an unfamiliar frustration making my hand shake as I speared it into my hair. I couldn't tug hard enough.

Beth sniffed me. "Are you drunk?"

"No," I bit back and started walking toward our house.

"Then what is wrong with you?" She threw her hands up in the air as she fell into step beside me. "I mean, I get the whole protective brother thing, but this is nuts. Even for you."

She didn't need to tell me; I knew I was going over the top. "I was worried," I barked. "You know the drill: send a text so I know you're not lying in a ditch somewhere."

"I forgot." At least she had the decency to look sorry, for a moment anyway. "But I've got four words for you: second. Dan. Black. Belt." She said the words slowly, punctuating each one with a full stop. "Cora could have cleaned up anyone there tonight. Including you."

Bullshit. A guy twice her size with enough drink in him could still cause her some serious trouble. Not to mention what a guy twice her size could do to Beth. The thought seized my lungs, squeezed the air from them.

"Look, I can't help it. I was worried, all right?" I said again, because I had to say something to explain my overprotective behavior.

"All right," came Beth's sharp reply. But the irritation had lessened in her voice.

I sighed and pulled her in for a quick hug. She leaned into me, her way of letting me know I was forgiven. I had been worried. And I still was—worried I was spending way too much time thinking about Cora Hammond in ways I shouldn't be.

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Looks like there's serious denial on both sides ;-) so you think Jonas overreacted here? Let me know in the comments.

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