Page 123 of Cold Hard Cash

Cold blinked in surprise, but allowed Jimmy to hug his neck, gently resting his hands on his waist.

“Happy birthday to you,” Jimmy sang, kissing Cold’s cheek. “Happy birthday to you!” He kissed the other. “Happy birthday, dear Rod... happy birthday to you!”

Cold looked faintly amused, teasing, “Are you done?”

“Just wait until the show. You’re gonna freakin’ love what I’m gonna sing for you.”

“As long as it’s better than that,” Cold snorted dryly.

“Rude!” Jimmy scoffed, playfully batting at Cold’s shoulder.

Cold laughed, a pure and genuine smile lighting up his entire face and making all the years fade away.

“You’re so beautiful,” Jimmy couldn’t help but say, feeling Cold tense when he did and seeing his upper lip curled as he sighed haggardly at the compliment. “Why do you always make that face when I tell you that?”

“Because that’s not how I feel,” Cold replied thoughtfully. “That’s not what people think when they see me, when they see my body. Even you.”

“Rod,” Jimmy protested, “I’ve always thought—”

“Do you remember the night you met my sister here?” Cold asked suddenly.

“Yes?” Jimmy frowned, unsure what Cold was getting at.

“The look on your face when you saw Rowena’s scars for the first time,” Cold said softly. “I didn’t want you to look at me that way.”

“Rod,” Jimmy murmured. “I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to think... Honestly. Seeing hers, seeing yours. They’re not ugly; it’s what put them there that’s so fucking ugly.”

Cold’s lip twitched.

“When I first saw them, I was so shocked because I couldn’t imagine the kind of pain that caused scars like that,” Jimmy said, his hands slowly moving to the buttons on Cold’s shirt. He began to carefully unfasten each one, watching Cold’s face for any signs that he should stop.

He saw none, but still he hesitated going further, asking quietly, “Can I please touch you? Please? Let me show you how beautiful you are.”

Nodding and gazing longingly over Jimmy’s lips, Cold’s eyes darkened. His hand curled around Jimmy’s neck, squeezing softly as he let him open up his shirt.

Jimmy ran his fingers over Cold’s marred skin, so grateful to have this privilege. He admired every tear and wound, old and new, leaning forward to kiss each one. He gasped when Cold’s fingers suddenly wove into his hair and tugged hard. Feeling his insides quivering, blood rushed to fuel the passion building between his legs.

Cold smirked; that damned beautiful smirk. He pushed Jimmy to his knees, starting to unbuckle his pants as he purred, “Well... it is my birthday, isn’t it? Go on and show me, Mr. Poe.”

“Yes, sir.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jimmy woke up to the warm and wonderful smell of pancakes, rolling over to see Cold letting Lola into the room. She was nervous as always, quickly getting the tray of food set up from her cart. Cold had only ordered two dishes of pancakes this time, and Lola smiled at Jimmy appreciatively.

Cold sent her on her way, sitting down on the edge of the bed to eat. He had already dressed, but his jacket was hanging on the back of the chair at the desk. He reached behind him, grabbing Jimmy’s foot and giving it a playful tug. “Hungry?”

“Always,” Jimmy laughed, wiggling out from beneath the blankets to join him. He leaned close to steal a kiss, murmuring, “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you. Mmm, I have a feeling it’s going to be a very exciting birthday.”

“Still not going to tell me what you’re planning?”

“No.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes, munching on his pancakes with a mournful pout.

“Jerry will drive you to see your father,” Cold said between carefully cut bites. “Afterwards he’ll bring you back here to get ready. Detective Duplin will meet us at the club to place the wire before you start the show.”