Finding Obsidian

41 - Dogs Are Love . . .

A/N: Hey, so there's literally no reason for this note other than to tell you to please watch the above video. I promise you won't regret it.

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"Hey, Lis," I chirped into my phone brightly. "I've got that money I owe you."

Rian sat against the wall defeatedly. I leaned on my cue stick, winking at him when he glanced up to glare at me.

"Oh man," Lisa groaned over the line. "Did you rob somebody?"

I scowled into the receiver, even though she couldn't see me. "Why does everyone assume that I'd steal money so easily?"

"Because you have. We've seen it happen."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I didn't rob anyone, I promise you that."

There was a long silence. Finally, Lisa sighed. "Well, that's great if you have it with you. The only problem is I won't be around to collect, at least for a little while."

I frowned. "What do you mean? You're going somewhere?"

"Yeah," she responded. "Remember that cooking competition I told you about, way back when? The tag-team one with me and Rokim?"

I squinted, thinking back to the days I was still teaching Rian how to cook. I vaguely recalled what she was talking about. "Yeah," I answered.

 "Well, it's starting in two days. Rokim and I have to fly out for about a week or so. You can give me the money after that, okay?"

I pouted, a little put out. "Aw. Too bad you're leaving, but have fun over there." A grin slipped over my face. "Make sure to give 'em hell."

"Roger that. Miss you."

"Miss you too. Tell Kimmy I said the same."

We ended the call, and I turned back to Rian. He glared up at me, his hair standing on end from all the times he'd run his fingers through it. 

"I cannot believe you hustled me."

I gave him a sharp-toothed grin. "Hustle you?" I purred, crouching down next to him. "Why, Haltie, I would never do that."

He groaned, digging his fingers in his hair again. "You got a hell of a lot better while you were in France, that's for sure," he muttered. "And now I have to hear that godforsaken nickname wherever I go."

"That's why you shouldn't write cheques you can't cash, Haltie. It's just common sense, Haltie."

"You better stop."

"Why should I, Haltie?" I smirked. This was fun.

His glare turned even darker. "I'm serious. Call me that one more time."

My smirk widened. "Haltie. Haltie. Halt—!"

The world blurred as the cue stick in my hand clattered to the floor.

I barely stifled a yelp as Rian yanked me forward, swinging me around like I weighed nothing. Before I realized what was happening, I was straddled precariously on his lap, his breath fanning seductively over my ear.

Too far too far I went too far—

"This is — this is harassment," I gulped, breathless. He chuckled softly, and I shivered against my will as the sound travelled down my spine. He lowered his head to my neck, deliciously close, and for a second I lost the ability to breathe entirely. 

The memory of his teeth, his lips, his tongue on my skin made my hair stand on end. It made heat pool in my gut. Just a little closer. Just a little bit closer, and . . .