Page 132 of Cold Hard Cash

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

Cold looked faintly amused. “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.”

“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 curl. “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, I’ve always thought—”

“Do you remember the night you met my sister here?”

“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 slowly reached for the buttons on Cold’s shirt. He unfastened each one, watching Cold’s face for any sign that he should stop. He saw none, but he hesitated going further, asking quietly, “Can I please touch you? Please? Let me show you how beautiful you are.”

Gazing longingly over Jimmy’s lips, Cold’s eyes darkened. He curled his hand around Jimmy’s neck and then lightly squeezed 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 suddenly wove his fingers into his hair and tugged hard. Feeling his insides quivering, Jimmy’s blood rushed to fuel the passion building between his legs.

Cold smirked.

That damned beautiful smirk.

He pushed Jimmy to his knees and unbuckled his pants. “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 wonderful smell of pancakes, opening his eyes to see Cold letting Lola into the room. She was nervous as always, hastily getting the tray of food set up from her cart. Cold had only ordered two dishes of pancakes this time, and Lola gave Jimmy a grateful smile.

Cold sent her on her way, then sat on the edge of the bed to eat. He had already dressed, but his jacket hung 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. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you. 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 huff.

“Jerry will drive you to see your father,” Cold said between carefully cut bites. “Afterward, 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.”