Coyote's Kiss Read Online Free

their boss or her partner. It wasn’t until they’d made the shortlist that she had come clean and informed Cole about what she’d done.
    And hadn’t that been a fun conversation. Not.
    Cole hadn’t blown up or anything, but he hadn’t been happy either. Instead of being relieved at getting away from the jerks they shared an office with, Cole had calmly explained to her that he didn’t want to go anywhere. He wanted the other agents to look at his face every day and know what he was.
    She tried to understand but couldn’t figure him out. She’d seen Cole turn the other cheek numerous times when someone would mumble under their breath about him being an animal or some other taunt. Cole never blew up or confronted them. Just kept walking like he didn’t hear them. Except Jade knew he did. If she could pick up on the rude comments and gestures, Cole had to. But he really acted like he couldn’t care less.
    Jade wanted to throttle them all.
    Instead, she’d worked on talking Cole into accepting the temporary joint task force assignment. She’d practically begged before he’d given in. Now they would finally get to work with others who would accept Cole. She couldn’t wait to see how her partner reacted.
    “We better get going if we don’t want to be late,” Cole interrupted her thoughts.
    “I’m ready,” she replied. She grabbed the messenger bag she’d packed earlier with notebooks, her laptop, a charger and office supplies.
    “You remind me of a little kid getting to go see Santa,” he teased. At least she thought he was just teasing. Sometimes she couldn’t tell with him.
    Instead of commenting, she grabbed her suit jacket off the back of her chair and slipped it on, covering her weapon and badge in the process. She’d gone with power gray for her wardrobe that morning. The dark pants and matching jacket were complemented with a light blue silk shirt. Her boots were both comfortable and fashionable and were the same color as her suit.
    She pulled her shoulder-length brown hair up into a clip with a few strands flowing loose. She wanted to appear professional but easy to work with. She absolutely didn’t want to come across as eager as she was. Following behind Cole, she locked her office before walking with him to the elevator.
    Jade didn’t miss the looks of disgust on a few faces as they passed. Cole walked with his shoulders back, head up and expression clear. She was going to have to learn how he did that. Practice in a mirror or something.
    She sighed in relief when the elevator opened immediately for them. She didn’t enjoy feeling her co-worker’s eyes boring into the back of her head.
    “Ignore them,” Cole whispered as they both stepped inside.
    Jade grinned. “I’m trying. I just want to punch them in the throat.”
    Cole snorted out a laugh that was so unexpected that Jade turned to stare at him.
    “What?” he groused when he noticed.
    “Nothing,” she replied but didn’t stop smiling. Yeah, Cole was coming around. She was even almost certain that he liked her.
    “Whatever,” he muttered, but Jade was sure he was keeping himself from smiling too. She didn’t want to push her luck, though, so she remained silent.
    “I’ll drive,” he said when the doors opened to the parking garage.
    Once again Jade didn’t reply. Like there was any doubt that he would take the wheel. He never let her drive.
    He hit the key fob to his department SUV, disarming the alarm and unlocking the doors. She stashed her bag in the back seat. Cole’s backpack was already inside. Maybe he was more excited than he was letting on. Normally he let her handle the paperwork, but if he was bringing his computer he might just surprise her.
    She climbed into the passenger seat. “Have you ever met any of the agents?” she asked him. Out of all of their talks about the Coalition she’d never asked that. He might be more comfortable if he knew the teams already.
    “No,” he replied. “From what I gather