Dee ran a finger
over it. Does it hurt? I shook my head. It just itched like crazy. She dropped my hand. All you did was get your blood taken?
Yeah, I said, staring at my arm.
Thats really weird, Katy. Its like you had some kind of reaction to something. Let me get some aloe. That might help.
Sure. I frowned at my arm. What couldve done this?
Dee returned with a jar of the cool gunk. It helped with the itching, and after I tugged my sleeve back down, she seemed to forget about it. I hung out with her for the next couple of hours, watching her destroy one pot after another. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt when Dee leaned too close to a bowl she was heating and accidentally set her shirt on fire. Shed raised one brow at my larger chest as if to say shed like to have seen me avoid the same mistake, sending me into another fit of giggles.
When she ran out of chocolate and plastic spatulas, Dee finally admitted defeat. It was after ten, and I said good-bye as I headed home to get some rest. It had been a long first day back at school, but I was glad Id headed over and ended it hanging with Dee.
Daemon was crossing the road just as I shut the front door behind me.
In less than a second, he was on the top step. Kitten.
Hey. I avoided his extraordinary eyes and face, because, well, I was having a real hard time not recalling what his mouth had felt like on mine earlier. Where, um, so what have you been doing?
Patrolling. He stepped onto the porch, and even though I was busy staring at the crack in the wood floor, I could feel his gaze on my face and the heat from his body. He stood close, too close. Everything is all quiet on the western front.
I cracked a smile. Nice reference.
When he spoke, his breath teased the loose hair around my temple. Its my favorite book, actually.
My head jerked toward his, narrowly missing a collision. I hid my surprise. I didnt know you knew how to read the classics.
A lazy smirk appeared, and Id swear he managed to get closer. Our legs touched. His shoulder brushed my arm. Well, I usually prefer books with pictures and small sentences, but sometimes I step out of the box.
Unable to help it, I laughed. Let me guess, your favorite kind of picture book is the one you can color in?
I never stay in the lines. Daemon winked. Only he could pull that off.
Of course not. I looked away, swallowing. Sometimes it was too easy to fall into the easy banter with him, too damn easy to imagine doing this with him every night. Teasing. Laughing. Getting in way over my head. Ive gotto go.
He swung around. Ill walk you home.
Um, I live right there . Not like he didnt know that. Duh.
That lazy smirk spread. Hey, Im being a gentleman. He offered his arm. May I?
Laughing under my breath, I shook my head. But I gave him my arm. The next thing I knew, he scooped me up into his arms. My heart leaped into my throat. Daemon
Did I tell you I carried you all the way back to the house the night you were sick? Thought that was a dream, eh? Nope. Real. He went down one step as I stared wide-eyed at him. Twice in one week. Were making this a habit.
And then he shot off the porch, the roar of the wind drowning out my surprised squeal. The next second, he was standing in front of my door, grinning down at me. I was faster the last time.
Really, I said slowly, dumbfounded. My cheeks felt numb. Yougoing to put me down?
Mmm. Our eyes met. There was a tender look in his that warmed and frightened me. Been thinking about our bet? Wanna give in now?
And he totally ruined that tender moment. Put me down, Daemon.
He placed me on my feet, but his arms were still around me, and I had no idea what to say. Ive been thinking.
Oh, God I murmured.
His lips twitched. This bet really isnt fair to you. New Years Day? Hell, Ill have you admitting your undying devotion to me by Thanksgiving.
I rolled my eyes. Im sure Ill hold out until Halloween.
Thats already passed.
Exactly, I muttered.
Laughing under his breath, he reached forward, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. The back of his knuckles brushed my cheek and I pressed my lips together to stop a sigh. Warmth blossomed in my chest, having nothing to do with the simple touch.
It had everything to do with the ache in his gaze. Then he pivoted around, tipping his head back. Moments passed in silence. The stars Theyre beautiful tonight.
I followed his gaze, a little thrown off by his sudden change in topic. The sky was dark, but there were a hundred or so bright dots glimmering against the inky night. Yeah, they are. I bit my lip. Do they remind you of
aside as a coincidence any longer, and I needed to get over myself and confront them. My new outlook on not being a bystander in life meant I had to face the fact that Id really changed. And I needed to do something about it before I exposed everyone. Just thinking about that possibility left a bitter taste in my mouth. There was no way I could go to Dee, because Id promised Daemon not to tell anyone that hed healed me. I had no other option but to saddle him with another one of my problems.