by Kailin Gow
I smiled, relishing that Moore was more like me than I first thought.
“But when Shayne said you’d probably be here, on account of your father, I thought I’d pop in to take a peek.” He clasped my hands in his and spanned my arms out to get a better look at me, almost causing Braxton’s tuxedo jacket to slide off my shoulders. A quick flash in his eyes questioned his rival’s apparel on my body, but he made no mention. “Boy, am I ever glad I did.”
Only my concrete determination kept me from sighing aloud. I willed myself to keep the conversation on safe grounds. “How did you manage an invitation?”
Brax pushed through the twins and came to stand beside me, his protective arm coming to wrap around my shoulder and pulling me from Moore’s hold. “It’s a long and tedious story.”
“Our parents’ will stipulates we give the university a sizable sum every year.”
“They’re here as patrons of my uncle’s university, that’s all,” Braxton finished, his tone impatient.
Moore’s gaze shifted to Braxton’s arm and traveled down over the jacket. “Believe me,” he said, his eyes hardening for a moment as they met Braxton’s. “Had we had any choice in the matter, not a penny would have ever been contributed to Dean Kingsley’s university.”
The animosity grew thick in the room. I quickly glanced at Brax, the almost imperceptible pursing of his lips divulging the anger he felt.
Shayne shifted to Braxton’s side, her long elegant arm pried him away from me. “You know, Brax, I’ve always admired your home from afar, but would absolutely love to have a grand tour. Gothic Victorian, is it not?”
She already had Brax at the door, her eyes deceptively hungry, while Braxton’s gaze had become more woeful with every step.
“How about a rerun of the tour, Lux.”
I shook my head. “As beautiful as it all is, once was enough.”
“Moore?” Brax offered.
Moore didn’t even dignify Braxton’s offer with a glance. His eyes were glued to mine, his tongue passing over his lips with pent up desire. “I’ve far better ways of spending my time than to visit a mansion.” His smile held a world of promise and passion.
He’d worn a tux, but had neglected to knot his bowtie. It hung around his neck, his white shirt slightly open at the collar, giving him the appearance of a distinguished and debonair man who was secretly a spy chasing the criminals of the world.
I knew Braxton’s eyes were still on us and I felt his chagrin, but I was unable to tear my eyes off Moore.
“Let’s go, Brax,” Shayne said. “I’ve been dying to see this theater you’ve talked about.”
The moment they were gone, Moore grasped my hand. “Brax seems to fear leaving you alone with me. What about you?”
“Not at all,” I said. The room was suddenly hot.
“I take it you won’t be needing this anymore.” He pinched Braxton’s jacket with disdain, pulled it off my shoulders and tossed it to a nearby armchair. “Not to mention the sin of hiding such a fabulous dress.” Once again his gaze swept over me, lingering on my collar bone, kissing up my neck and coming to stop at my lips.
My hunger for him was palpable, almost embarrassing. I’d never been one to fawn over guys, had never been given to moments of hysteria over a teen idol. I was strong, independent, held my own and was more apt to turn a cold shoulder than give any indication at all that a guy even existed.
But now… nothing else in the world existed except him.
He led me to an open secretary and picked up a decanter filled with an amber liquid. “How ‘bout a quick drink to get this party started?” He poured a finger into a tumbler and held it out to me.
The strong scent of alcohol wafted up to my nostrils and I turned away. “No, thanks.”
Bringing the glass under his nose, he inhaled the fumes that had so repulsed me. “Not a scotch drinker, I see.” He downed the contents of the glass and poured himself another.
“Not really.” Alcohol and demon fighting didn’t necessarily go hand in hand. I needed all my faculties at all times, not to mention how nauseating the mere scent of the drink was.
“Suit yourself, my dear.” He took another sip, let out a satisfied sigh and set his glass down. “Kingsley sure knows his stuff.”
Despite the alcohol, Moore sobered and looked intently at me. The playful twinkle that had been in his eyes moments earlier was now heavy with desire. “Did anyone ever tell you just how unbelievably beautiful you are? Your eyes are mesmerizing, shimmering like a multicolored opal. From the first moment I saw you, I wanted to lose myself into those captivating spheres.”
When he brought his hand to my shoulder, a shot of tingling cold and passionate heat ran through me, sending my body into full alert, though, for the first time, not with the intent to do battle. My body was in tune to his every touch as his fingers brushed over my skin.
“Truly exquisite,” he whispered as he came closer.
His lips parted and I was acutely aware of my own mouth, my tongue, and my lips, how they all hungered for the sensation to come, the taste of his mouth, and the play of his tongue.
In the distance a cough broke the weighted silence, but my focus remained on Moore’s approach.
“We’re back,” Shayne chanted.
Still flushed with anticipation, I turned to see Shayne and Brax at the door.
“How delightful,” Moore groaned with sarcasm.
“Brax wanted to get his jacket back. It’s a freezer in there.”
Braxton looked at his discarded jacket. “I take it you don’t need it anymore.”
“There are other ways of warming a woman.” Moore winked at me.
Even at a distance and with only a quick sidelong glance, I saw the tightening of Braxton’s jaw and the glare he shot at Moore.
Moore backed away from me, his eyes shifting between me and Braxton.
“You know what?” Shayne said. “It’s getting late and we’ve yet to speak with Kingsley. I wouldn’t want him to think us rude or anything.”
“Now?” Moore asked, his fingers discreetly reaching to grasp mine.
“Come on,” she said as she stomped into the library and grabbed her brother’s arm. “The life of wealthy socialites isn’t all fun and games. There are wealthy cohorts who need some butt kissing.”
“Geeze, what a way to make it more appealing.” Moore grimaced then brought his lips to my ear and whispered, “Let’s get together soon.”
As Shayne pulled him away, he held his hand out, touching mine until the last moment, his lips pursed in an airy kiss, while Shayne caressed Braxton’s cheek on her way out.
“Hey,” Braxton said as he sheepishly glanced at the jacket. “I didn’t really need the jacket.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“I’m sorry for leaving you stranded in the theater. You must think I’m an awful host.”
“Those things happen sometimes.”
His distraction couldn’t have come at a better time, however. I wanted to delay knowledge of my demon fighting as long as I could. Had he returned to the theater too quickly, my game would have been up.
“I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“You’d better,” I teased.
His shy smile was slow in coming, but when it finally reached his eyes I could see the uncertainty of this young and handsome man. He probably had hundreds of girls vying for his attention at school, Shayne being the most prominent among them, yet here he was unsure and nervous in front of me.
I held his gaze, silently questioning the connection that was growing between us. He had shown himself to be a friend, a good friend, yet…
Stepping into the library, he closed the space between us, his gaze repeatedly playing over my body, my face and back over my body. “It’s insane what you do to me,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, his eyes dark with arousal.
I wanted him to kiss me then, especially since it felt like a date when we were watching It’s A Wonderful Life. Tonig
ht, despite the demon attack and the Hatchett twins interruption, I felt closer to Brax, and from the looks of his eyes on mine, I was sure he felt the same. He was bending down towards me, but approaching voices carried through the halls, slicing through the confusion of emotions that filled the room. I pulled away.
“I should probably go back and find my parents. They must be wondering where I went off to for so long.”
“Of course,” Brax said with a concurring nod and disappointment clearly on his face. “I’ll escort you back to the main foyer.”
The home was imposing, almost stifling despite the high arched ceilings and vast open spaces. There was something cold about it, something that brought an uncomfortable chill to my skin.
In the distance I spotted Mr. Kingsley with my parents, Shayne and Moore approaching them and making polite conversation. But while Shayne seemed animated and interested, Moore stared off into the distance, his eyes filled with boredom until he saw me.
The devilish twinkle returned to his gaze in an instant and a furtive smile curved his lips.
Braxton slowed his pace, his reluctance to join the group obvious in the way he gently pulled back on my arm. “How about a last glimpse of the terrace? The moon should be out and it’s glorious over the bay.”
I turned to look quizzically at him. “What’s up?”
His eyes wide with surprise, he played innocent.
“Why do I get the feeling you're holding out on me? There’s something you're not telling me. What’s really going on between Moore and you?”
He maintained his innocent gaze, but a thread of guilt played on his pressed lips. “We’re friends. We’re both relatively new to St. James and we sometimes hang out.”
“Seriously, Brax? I want to know.”
He sighed his resignation and clucked his tongue. “Fine. Shayne has been on my back for months now, trying to weasel her way closer to me. Lord knows she’s beautiful and any guy would be crazy to have her, but she’s just not my type.”
“Oh,” I let out. Though nothing romantic had ever happened between me and Braxton, I felt a twinge of unexpected jealousy spike at my heart.
“I think she sees you as a rival and she’s using her brother to get you out of the way.”
Ouch. The jealous spike at my heart was now a full on devastating dagger. Swallowing that bite of painful truth, I turned to Braxton. “But what would ever give Shayne the idea that you and I are a couple?”
No words were necessary as Braxton’s eyes filled with the obvious emotions he felt for me. He quickly turned away, but not before I caught the pain-filled twitch of his lips.
I felt like a heartless idiot for not realizing how he truly felt about me.
“It looks like the party is revving down,” he said, his attempt to sound natural failing as his voice faltered. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Your parents are looking for you.”
As we joined the group, Mom and Dad smiled at Braxton, obviously impressed with him.
“Well, it certainly was a pleasure meeting you Mrs. Collins,” Mr. Kingsley said to my mother before turning to bid me goodbye. “I certainly hope we’ll see you again, Miss Lux. I take it Braxton appreciates your company.”
I caught a glimpse of Braxton as he mouthed goodbye, his eyes speaking of his longing to be with me. To his right, Moore held an arrogant grin, while Shayne commanded his left, clinging to him for fear he’d run after me. Her desire for him glowed in her eyes and in the purring pout of her lips.
Walking out with my parents, I felt like a pawn in a game I knew little about. Unaccustomed to so much male attention, I didn’t know what to believe or who to trust. Moore seemed so sincere in his desire to be with me and had such a divine way of awakening the woman in me, while Braxton tickled my funny bone, made me feel at ease and looked at me with more than mere hunger.
Knowing little about love and lust, I felt disadvantaged. My body shouted out one command, wanting the heat of Moore’s touch, while my head tried to understand all emotions both guys evoked
As we drove home, we passed the park Asher had sketched his angel in. Great, I thought with a tired sigh. Another guy to add to the confusion.
Lothario had warned me of the increased number of demons, the breaking down of the gates of hell, but he’d never mentioned the problems I could have dealing with mortal men, men who wanted me, who desired me and who could possibly love me.
Men who potentially held the capacity to hurt me, break my heart and leave me bitter about love.
Never before had I received so many compliments, never had I felt as beautiful as in these past days, yet I felt lost in the flattery. I was the strong, reliable girl who was more apt to bust a guy’s chops, not pucker up to kiss him; the tomboy who like to play rough, often to the point of intimidating guys.
But these three seemed far from intimidated.
Chapter 9
Monday morning I arrived at school determined to do well. My studies had suffered greatly due to the sudden move and catching up proved more difficult than I had expected.
At my locker, I shoved my backpack in then pulled the chemistry book out from the top shelf. Along with the book came a small sheet of blue paper.
It was great seeing you this weekend. I hope we can get together again soon.
I flipped the paper over looking for more, but that was it; no signature, no name, not even an initial.
Great, what are the chances? I ran into Asher, Moore and Braxton over the weekend, so who was the guy so eager to see me again?
I couldn’t waste too much time on it, so I shoved it into my pocket and slammed my locker shut. My first class of the morning was clear on the other side of the school and I could make it in time if I hurried.
But as I turned I hit something hard. For a second, my defenses went up and I was prepared to battle.
“Watch out,” a familiar voice shouted.
I looked up, my brow already furrowed in frustration, my lips pressed tightly together, and my fist clenched.
“Cool it, Lux,” Asher said. “Just kidding.”
“Oh,” I said with a dreadful imitation of a laugh. “Yeah, I know… I mean, I knew it was you. I was just kidding, too.”
“You were flying out of here like a bat out of hell. What’s the rush?”
“The rush is chemistry… clear across the school chemistry.”
“I could sure teach you something about chemistry,” he muttered beneath his breath.
“What’s that?” I wasn’t sure I’d understood him correctly and wanted him to repeat it.
“I said, I can show you a shortcut to getting to chemistry.” He grinned and led me to the stairwell.
“I feel like I’m being buried in tons of homework. No matter how much time I spend trying to catch up, I still end up being behind.”
“I know what you mean,” Asher said, descending into a narrow utility corridor. “It took quite a bit of adjustment when I came here. I was two months behind, fell further behind as I got situated in this town and then figured out that one missed day of school could spell further setbacks.”
I hurried behind him as he ascended another flight of stairs at the other end of the hall. “I’m already having such a hard time with chemistry. Too bad you're not in my class. I could have used a hand. Come to think of it, I don’t have a single class with you.”
“Yeah, well can you blame the forces that be for keeping us apart. Two rebels in the same class. I think someone somewhere foresaw a bit of trouble if that were to happen.”
“I guess, but it sure would have been nice to study and catch up with you.”
On the landing he stopped and turned to me. “That would’ve been really cool. You and me together… I like the sound of that.” He cocked his head to one side, his examining gaze drifting from my eyes to my lips and back again. “You know, no one here has interested me enough to even think of a together, but you…”
I giggled as he bit his lower lip and repeatedly arched his
brows in mock hunger.
“Stop being so silly.” I slapped his arm playfully and continued up the steps.
“Hey,” he said, coming up after me. “You are, after all, literally the girl of my dreams.” He grabbed my elbow and guided me to the right as I veered off to the left. “This way.”
“Have you had anymore of those dreams?” I asked. “Sometimes the enigma of one dream is answered in another.”
“How convenient, but no. I’ve had more of the same dream; same enigma; same lack of answers. I was kind of hoping you’d solve the puzzle. Just getting to know you might shed some light on it.”
“Oh,” I said, with feigned chagrin. “That’s why you're interested in getting to know me.”
“No, seriously? You're hot and I don’t need to go looking for excuses for wanting to be with you, but…”
“But?”
“These dreams are driving me nuts. They don’t make sense, being about you doesn’t make sense. And now, here you are, like by some cosmic kizbit, design. The real you, with a voice, a funky attitude and a hot bod.”
I pushed him playfully, and he grinned wider.
Arriving at my class with minutes to spare, I hugged my book to my chest and leaned my shoulder against the doorjamb. “Look at us, a couple of rebels, huh. You're the bad boy everyone’s afraid of and I’m the rough girl with an attitude few dare get close to, but what are we really? Just a couple of lost kids trying to understand their role in life. Just trying to get by without getting too hurt. I bet there are a lot of times we’re a lot more scared than every other kid here.”
He gazed at the floor a long moment before meeting my gaze. “I guess we’re even more alike than I thought.” With the gentle brush of his finger along my arm, he turned and walked away.
Staring at his back as he walked away, I inhaled deeply, sensing something so important…a connection of understanding between us. We were very much alike.
“Are you coming in or are you going to block the room for the length of the class?” Mr. Monaghan bellowed from behind his desk.
