Im not reluctant to the idea, I said honestly. Its just different.
Different isnt bad. Neither is change. He took a drink, glancing toward the door. Your mom is a great woman. I thought that from the moment she came to work at the hospital, but it was the night you were attacked that things went from a professional working relationship to something more. Im glad I could be there for her. He paused, his smile spreading. Strange how something good can come from something horrible.
My brows furrowed. Yeahthat is strange.
His smile tipped higher, almost condescending. Mom returned, ending his totally weird attempt at bonding with meor marking his territory. He stayed right up to the moment she left for work, sucking up her time. I went to the window, seeing them kiss before they got into separate cars. Gross.
With the sun setting outside, I wrote a quick review for Monday and then a longer one for Tuesday. The longer one was because I couldnt stop gushing. I think I had a new book boyfriend and his name was Tod. Yumtastic.
I settled on one of those usually annoying stations on the TV that played only music on a blank screen. Stopping on a channel that offered hits from the eighties, I turned it up loud enough I couldnt hear my own thoughts. There was laundry that needed to be done and a kitchen that could use a good scrubbing. It was too late to get the dead plants out of the flower bed. Gardening was something that always helped clear my thoughts, but autumn and winter sucked for it. I changed into a pair of comfy sleep shorts, little reindeer-covered socks that reached my knees, and a long-sleeve thermal.
I looked like a hot mess.
Running through the house, I gathered all the clothes, sliding at times on the hardwood floors. I dumped a load into the washer and started singing along to one of the songs. In touch with the ground. Im on the hunt. Im after you.
I scooted out of the laundry room and skipped down the hallway, arms flaying around my head like one of the hot pink puppets from the movie Labyrinth . A scent and a sound, Im lost and Im found. And Im hungry like the wolf. Something on a line, its discord and rhymewhatever, whatever, la la laMouth is alive, all running inside, and Im hungry like the Warmth spread down my
neck.
Its actually, I howl and I whine. Im after you , and not blah or whatever.
Startled by the deep voice, I shrieked and whipped around. My foot slipped on a section of well-cleaned wood and my butt smacked on the floor.
Holy crap, I gasped, clutching my chest. I think Im having a heart attack.
And I think you broke your butt. Laughter filled Daemons voice.
I remained sprawled across the narrow hallway, trying to catch my breath. What the hell? Do you just walk into peoples houses?
And listen to girls absolutely destroy a song in a matter of seconds? Well, yes, I make a habit out of it. Actually, I knocked several times, but I heard your singing , and your door was unlocked. He shrugged. So I just let myself in.
I can see that. I stood, wincing. Oh, man, maybe I did break my butt.
I hope not. Im kind of partial to your butt. He flashed a smile. Your face is pretty red. You sure you didnt smack that on the way down?
I groaned. I hate you.
Nah, I dont think you do. His gaze went over me, down to my toes. His brows inched up. Nice socks.
I rubbed my backside. Do you need something?
He leaned against the wall, shoving his hands into his jeans. No, I dont need something.
Then why did you break into my house?
He shrugged again. I didnt break in. The door was unlocked and I heard the music. I guessed you were the only one here. Why are you doing laundry and singing eighties songs on your birthday?
Now surprise smacked me upside the head. Howhow do you know its my birthday? I dont even think I told Dee.
Daemon looked entirely too smug for his own goodor mine. The night you were attacked at the library and I went to the hospital with you? When you were giving them your personal information, I overheard you.
Really, I said, staring at him. And you remembered?
Yep. Anyway, why are you doing chores on your birthday?
I couldnt believe hed remembered. Im obviously that lame.
That is pretty lame. Oh, listen! His glittering eyes slid in the direction of the living room. Its Eye of the Tiger. Do you want to sing along to that? Maybe jog up the stairs and pump your fists in the air?
Daemon. I shuffled past him carefully, went into the living room, and picked up the remote, turning the song down. Seriously, what do you want?
He was directly behind me, forcing me to take an uneasy step back. Being that close to him did funny, bad things to me.
I came over to apologize.
What? I was shocked, awed, and shocked some more. Youre going to apologize again? I dont even know what to say. Wow.
Daemon frowned. I know it seems like a huge surprise to you that I do have feelings and therefore do feel bad at times for things that I may havecaused.
Hold up. I have to record this. Let me grab my phone. I turned, scanning the tables for the basically unusable shiny object that never got clear reception out here.