In the Alpha’s Arms Novel

Definitely Worth It

“Worth what?” Lita barely got the words out before Cole had pulled Ace into a punch. Then the two were brawling on the ground at her feet. Was she supposed to break it up? She didn’t even know which one she was supposed to root for. Neither? Both? No, if she was being honest with herself, despite the great time she’d had with Ace, her heart only tensed at the thought of Cole hurt. Whatever their complicated relationship, she was tied to him, completely. She rubbed her forehead. When had things gotten so real for her? Maybe it was the stupid ass plan Ace had that finally roped her in. She Wanted Cole to care. And here he was caring the hell out of Ace’s perfect ce. She cringed as he landed another punch.

She thought back to Ace’s words from the restaurant, he’d pull his punch for me Lita looked down again, really assessing the men fighting on the ground. They were both trained fighters. Good enough to have drawn more blod from each other than they did. Both barely had more than a busted lip and a few scrapes.

Ace had been right. This wasn’t a fight. It was a conversation. Cole was telling his friend he’d gone too far. Lita snorted. Ace knew full well he was going to get decked for kissing her and he did it anyway. Because it was worth it to him and somehow that was the nicest compliment anyone had ever paid her.

“Cole, come on, get off, he gets it, Lita palled at his arms. She could see Ace smiling from under the hulk of a man on top of him. Stubborn at first, he eventually relented and pulled her behind him as he stalked off, back through the club, jostling through some people who had just arrived, he pulled Lita into the open elevator.

Neither of them spoke for the entire ride down to the correct floor. Lita shifted uncomfortably, glancing over at Cole who kept wiping the blood under his nose, licking his slightly busted lip. She didn’t really know what to say. Are said she wouldn’t need to say anything but that’s not how she felt. She felt like she needed to explain. Only she couldn’t find the words. She slumped against the wall in defeat.

The elevator doors dragged open with a cheery beep when they reached the right floor and Lita waited to see what Cole would do. He reached for her, pulling her behind him once again like a silent horror movie where the heroine knows she’s a goner. She was almost joyful when they reached her room but they kept walking, passing Alex and Andres room as well until they stopped at his suite door. He slid the key card against the door, only releasing her arm long enough to push it open before dragging her inside.

She awkwardly stood at the door as he went into the main living area, tossing his key card onto the table and pouring himself a drink. Then he came back for her, dragging her into the bathroom.

clean

“Sit,” he growled, pointing to the side of the tub. She didn’t really know what else to do but oblige. The moments stretched on as he used a tissue to

up

the blood under his nose, spreading a thin layer of Vaseline across the scrape. Then he took a heavy swallow of liquor, hissing as it hit his open lip. He leaned cluser to the mirror as he cleaned and sealed that cut as well. Then he turned his body back to her, arms tense as he crossed them.

She could finally see him now that be faced her and she couldn’t help but stare. He wore a black graphic t–shirt that fit tightly over his arms. The dark wash jeans cinched perfectly around the massive member she’d felt against her outside his room. Had it already been a month since that happened? The way her pulse felt, it could have been yesterday. He was clean shaven and he’d worked his hair into a loose, sexy tousle. She tried not to drool.

“Did you enjoy yourself? Ace can’t help himself, he’s childish like that but your I expected more from you!”

Lita’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t even remember how to pick it up off the floor She was too shocked. The severity of his tone pissed Lita right off. She didn’t know why she went straight to anger. After all, she’d just been thinking of the best ways to apologize but there was no way in hell he was going to hold her to a higher standard than he held himself. The audacity. The fucking nerve. There was a zero fucking possibility of her apologizing now.

“Excuse me? I’m sorry, maybe I missed something. DIDN’T YOU PARADE YOUR WHOLE FUCKING GIRLFRIEND AT DINNER LIKE AN HOUR AFTER CALLING ME YOUR FUCKING MATE?! And she was REAL fucking charmer, that one!”

Cole clenched his jaw, looking at the wall. He hadn’t actually thought his irritation through. Just the sight of someone else kissing those lips made his blood hot. He couldn’t think straight. Couldn’t see straight. All he could think about was how those pretty lips tasted.

“AT LEAST I’M NOT ACTUALLY FUCKING ACE, Lita screamed, surprising even herself. Cole tightened his grip on the sink edge until his knuckles turned red. Her teng was driving his blood pressure higher. Emboldened by her own anger, she wasn’t scared little Lita and it was making the room feel smaller and smaller.”

I’m not fucking Erica,” Cole rasped so low, Lita almost didn’t hear it, “This wasn’t supposed to be so fucking complicated. You just He stopped himself from saying anything more and somehow pushed Lita over the edge. Fucking hot and cold all the time. Desperately wanted to talk to her and then didn’t have anything to say. Hirting with her over texts then giving her the third degree in person. It was baffling and infuriating all at once.

“You know what, Cole? Yes. I fucking enjoyed myself. I had a grand old time! Ace damn near kissed my panties off! You happy now? All you do is push

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cel bur as soon as anyone else gives me a little attention YOU LOSE YOUR FUCKING MIND!”

me away every chance you get

He opened his mouth but no sound came out. She’d had it through the roof with his shit. He’d miss her when she was gone, of THAT, she could be sure. Fully prepared to make a break for it, she pushed herself up off the tub rim.

“You know Ate said all you needed was a push but the kind of push you would need, I don’t think I’m copable of giving, Cole. I’m done holding my breath