Kobe, Bad Blood (Blood Roses Book 1) by Danielle Norman (great reads TXT) 📕

“Something like that,” I said. She frowned and searched my face as if looking for sincerity.

“Nope, I’m fine as you can see.” She stared down at her bare feet and tapped her painted toenails on the cherry wood floor.

I peered to my right and into the brightly lit living room with the blue sectional couch, tons of bookshelves, and a large flat screen TV. “That TV has to be at least seventy inches.”

“No clue.” I hated that she was being like this, her answers curt, but in my mind, I knew that I deserved it for leaving her the other morning. “Did you need anything else?”

“Is your friend here?”

“Nope. She’s a tattoo artist and had an appointment this morning,” she added, with a casual shrug before stepping aside and gesturing for me to follow her to the living room.

“Thanks,” I said as I debated whether I should take my shoes off or not. “I’m gonna...” I gestured to my dusty black boots and bent over to slide them off my feet.

“Head on into the living room, and I’ll grab us some tea.” She strode into the kitchen, her long legs barely covered by a scanty pair of denim shorts.

I stripped off my boots before I twisted the lock on the door. It was more out of habit, since I wasn’t exactly leading the safest lifestyle.

I had just taken a seat on the couch when Kobe walked through the doorway to the living room, lights reflecting from behind her giving a soft glow to her features and creating a halo effect that made me smile. Halo, oh my God, that girl was anything but an angel.

“What are you smiling at?” she asked as she handed me a glass of tea.

“Just smiling at how beautiful you are.”

“Just drink your tea, Easton.” She plopped down next to me on the sofa and curled her legs up so she could sit cross legged. “What happened last night after you didn’t have your brains blown out?”

I cringed. “Everyone had to play.”

“Did Dante just keep reloading with blanks?”

“No, which is why I’m glad you left. He did blanks a few times and then did a live shell.”

“Oh my God, did the cops show up? What about the guy? What did you all do?”

“Spider and Crow handled it. It was horrid. I guess they’ve seen this before because they moved right into action.”

“Who was it?”

“Pope.” It wasn’t the first time I’d seen a dead body or brain matter, gruesomeness never got easier to see.

“The thought of senseless death, it just...you know.”

“Yeah, I know.” I reached over and placed a hand on her bare thigh. The feel of Kobe’s skin beneath me only intensified my emotions. I wanted her…no, I needed her. I wanted to protect her and keep her with me. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing, with the Coyotes? I’m scared to death for you.”

“No, I’m not sure that I know what I’m doing, but it doesn’t matter, I’ve got to do this. I need to move on with my life, but I can’t until I see justice for Jared. You don’t get it.”

“You’re wrong, I totally get it.” She had no clue how much I totally got her. “After you uncover the truth, what are you going to do?”

“Ridley and I were talking about that last night. I didn’t go to college, so other than my skills in martial arts, I don’t have any other talents.” What she was able to do with her body had me thinking exactly about her talents. “Be a tattoo artist.”

Whoa, wait, I think I missed something while I was lost in my memories. “You? A tattoo artist?”

“Yep, Ridley is going to teach me. We’re going to buy that building next door and open up a tattoo shop.” Kobe looked so young, fresh, and full of hope.

“How long have you known Ridley?”

“Not long, but she and I, we’re alike.”

God, I didn’t want to rain on her parade, so instead, I said, “I’m happy for you. I like seeing you like this.”

“You’re just used to seeing me either as a teenager or playing this ridiculous role for the guys. I’m really not all morbid. It just comes over me when I’m around the Coyotes.”

She had a point there. I looked around the living room and admired the potted orchid and the floral paintings that lined the hallway and disappeared from view.

“I’m lucky to have found Ridley, I really needed her in my life. It’s sad, but she is my only friend.”

I jerked my hand away from Kobe. “What do you mean?” I asked. “She’s not your only friend, I think you know that. You and I, we’ve always had a bond.” I moved my hand to hers and rubbed my finger over her smooth knuckles. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need, whatever you want. Just tell me and I’ll be there. I’ll do it.” I swallowed hard, surprised at the sincerity of my own words.

“Anything I want?” she asked as she lowered her eyes to rest on my mouth.

“Anything.” I sighed breathlessly.

Kobe leaned forward and pressed her full lips to mine, and my tensed muscles seemed to relax. I needed her, even if I wasn’t ready to admit that I needed her forever, I was at least owning the fact that I needed her at this moment.

Her lips parted, and she climbed into my lap. I was overwhelmed by the sense of her, the smell of the lavender in her hair, and the intoxicating flavor of her left me dizzy.

“Don’t you have a room somewhere in this house?” I asked her, she pulled away and wrapped her legs around my waist

“It’s upstairs, think you can carry me?” she teased.

I rose from the couch, and she tightened her long legs around my waist. Holding her ass in my hands, I moved toward the stairs, and she lowered her lips to my ear.

“Keep going He-man.”

I took two steps, and she nibbled