Getting ready for bed.
But youre getting naked!
He arched his brow. I do have boxers on. What? Do you expect me to sleep in my jeans?
You did last time. I felt the need to fan myself.
Daemon laughed. Actually, I had pajama bottoms on.
And hed had a shirt on, but who was keeping track? I couldve told him to leave, but I turned away, pretending to be engrossed with a book on my desk. Chills shot straight to my core when I heard the bed groan under his weight. Taking a shallow breath, I turned around. He was in bed, arms folded behind his head, an innocent look on his face. This was a bad idea, I whispered.
It was probably the smartest idea youve ever had.
I rubbed my palms on my hips. Its going to take a lot more than Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas tree to get laid.
Damn. There goes my whole plan.
Flustered, infuriated, and thrilled, I stared at him. So many emotions couldnt be possible. My head was spinning as I stalked over to my side of the bedoh my God, when had we developed sides ?and quickly slid under the covers. I did not want to know if hed left the jeans on or not. Can you turn off the light? Darkness descended without him moving. Several moments passed. Thats a handy ability.
It is.
My eyes focused on the pale light peeking through the curtains. Maybe one day I can be just as lazy as you and turn off lights without
straightened his silverware around a pretend plate. It wasnt bad. Not very exciting. When the cutlery was positioned just so, he glanced up. How was your break?
Not very different than yours. I paused, recognizing a few kids from school. They were clustered together, drinking sodas and eating a large oven pizza. Chadthe boy Lesa was datingwaved at me and I waved back. But Im not ready for it to be over.
We paused while a plump waitress took our orders. I got a soda and a basket of fries and he ordered soup.
Hopefully this doesnt end up all over me, he joked.
I cringed. Not likely, since Daemon wasnt hereyet. I really am sorry about all that.
Blake tapped his straw off my hand before peeling the paper from around the plastic. Its not a big deal. Stuff happens.
I nodded, studying the steamed-over windows. He cleared his throat, frowning again as his eyes narrowed on a middle-aged man near the bar who was looking around nervously. I think that guys about to skip out on his bill.
Huh, really?
Blake nodded. And he thinks hes getting away with it. He has so many times before.
In stunned silence, I watched the man take one last drink and stand without getting his check.
Someone is always watching, Blake added with a slight smile.
A couple sitting behind the man, both in flannel shirts and well-worn jeans, were also watching the customer about to flee. The man leaned toward the woman, whispering something. Her heavy face twisted into a scowl, and she slammed her hand down on the table. No-good bums, always thinking they can get a free meal!
The outburst caught the attention of the manager who was taking an order by the door. He turned to face the startled man. Hey! Did you pay for that?
The man stopped and fumbled in his pockets. He muttered an apology and hastily threw several crumpled bills on the table.
My head snapped back to Blake. Whoa, that wasuncanny.
He shrugged.
I waited until the waitress returned with our order and left, my unease growing. How did you know he was going to do that?
Blake blew on his spoonful of vegetable soup. A good guess.
Bullshit, I whispered.
His gaze met mine. It was just a lucky guess.
Doubt bubbled up. Blake wasnt an alienat least I assumed he wasnt, and none of the Luxen I knew could read minds or foresee anything, but that was just too weird. It couldve been a lucky guess, but every instinct was telling me there was something more.
I munched on the fries. So do you have lucky guesses a lot?
He shrugged. Sometimes. Its just intuition.
Intuition, I said, nodding. Thats some spot-on intuition.
Anyway, I heard about that kid going missing. That totally sucks.
The abrupt change of subject was jarring. Yeah, it does. I think the cops believe he ran away.
Blake twirled his spoon in the soup. Did they ask Daemon a lot of questions?
I frowned. Why would they?
Blakes hand stilled. Wellbecause Daemon did get in a fight with him. I mean, it seems likely they would question him.
Okay, he had a point, and I was being way too twitchy about this. Yeah, I think they did, but he didnt have anything to do with I froze, not believing what I was feeling. Dull heat flared between my breasts.
It couldnt be.
I dropped the fry back into the basket. The obsidian flared under my sweater. Frantically, I reached around my neck, tugging on the chain. When the obsidian slipped free, I wrapped my hand around it, wincing as the stone scorched my palm. Panic clawed up my throat as I lifted my eyes.
Blake was doing something with his wrist, but my eyes latched onto the front door. It swung open. Fallen leaves scattered across the tile. The low hum of conversation continued, the customers unaware a monster was in their mix. Near-scalding heat radiated from the obsidian. Our table started to rattled softly.