Sweet Temptation

Something better.

Life without the demons.

I take A

Belial’s face turns deadly when A

“Tell me exactly what they said,” he orders. As A

“You’re going to have to move, A

He can’t have her near my father is what he means, and I couldn’t agree more. A

“Everything I’ve done has been to protect you, A

I inwardly wince as A

“What thing with the two boys?” she asks pointedly. She picked up on the exact phrase I was hoping she’d skim over.

Belial stares at her, then glances at me. “I thought he’d tell you.”

“Tell me what?” A

I shake my head and drop my eyes. This is the last thing I want to deal with, especially now that I’ve begun to make amends with Kope. I want to move past it, and I know A

Standing abruptly, her face ashen, she calls him out on it.

“You told this to Kai when you commanded him to stay away from me, didn’t you?” she asks. My girl’s eyes are blazing with indignation.

“Yes,” he says unabashedly. “I told the son of Pharzuph—”

“Kaidan,” A

No one has ever stuck up for me before, and I’m betting nobody has ever spoken to Belial like that. He stops and works his jaw side to side, speaking through clenched teeth.

“I told Kaidan. At the time, he agreed it was best for you.”

“What was he supposed to say?” A

“No, A

“Yeah, and you were both wrong!” Her chin pinches and quivers, and I realize for the first time that I wasn’t the only one tortured by this year and a half apart. From the look on her face now, her heart had been broken as much as mine had.

Was it worth it to try to keep her safe by keeping us apart? I’m not so sure anymore. There must be a better way. We’re all trying to navigate this strange sea of danger, trying to suck some semblance of life from the salt along the way.

“Things are go

Slowly, I look over at A

Belial points at me, and my blood chills.

“I’ve been watching you,” he says. “I’ll tell you exactly what I told A

He turns to A

I feel ill at the thought of either one of us even pretending to work, but I understand his reasoning. The dangers remain, prophecy or not.

“Can you keep up appearances, kid?” he challenges me.

I begrudgingly respond, “Yes, sir.”

Belial stands when it’s time to leave. He gives my shoulder a squeeze with his massive bear claw until I meet his eyes, which are surprisingly soft.

“You’re not a bad kid,” he says. “I see that now. You’ll make a good ally.” I swallow hard and he gives my shoulder a pat.

You’re not a bad kid. . . .

A

“You’ll need fresh milk soon. And probably more eggs, too. Eggs are an easy thing you can make yourself. All these meals are labeled with cooking instructions. Remember how I showed you—”

“A

She won’t look at me. I stand and take her hand off the fridge, closing it, and pulling her into my arms. She lets me hold her until she calms.

We’re going to be okay, come what may, but I don’t pretend it won’t hurt like hell when she has to leave.

We eat di

“I love you,” she says softly. And like every time before, the words spread over me like warm honey. I work up the nerve and open my mouth.

“I’ve loved you longer.”

She pulls back from my chest and stares up at me. “I don’t believe you.”

I can feel an idiotic grin threatening to spread across my face, just talking to her like this. I bury my face in her neck and hair, and I tell her exactly how I first fell for her. I make her believe me. “You see the best in everyone,” I say. “You drove me mad that trip . . . and then you gave that homeless woman all your money in Hollywood, and that was it. I was done.”

Her eyes are sparkling as she angles across my lap, slips her hands into my hair, and pulls my face to hers. Her leg swings over so she’s straddling me, and I let my hands move over her back, her waist, down to her hips. I’m trying so damn hard to keep my hands and the rest of my body on good behavior, but I let my mouth be as wild as it wishes. She doesn’t seem to mind.

We pause to stare at each other, marveling like a couple of lovesick fools. I want to laugh, like I’m on the best kind of high, but then she’s kissing me again.

“We’re go

“Better than okay,” I say.

She grasps the front of my shirt and leans back as our lips come together again, pulling me so that I’m lying on top of her, between her legs. I move against her, just as I know she likes.

“I want to take you with me,” she groans.

Ah, God, my little vixen underestimates my self-control when she’s naughty like this.

“So you can drive me mad like this every day?” And use me for your plaything? I rather like that idea.

I snatch a glance at the clock and it’s almost time for her father to come back. Damn it. I push my hearing outside, and sure enough, firm steps are sounding.

“I think someone’s coming up the stairs,” I whisper, although I know Belial could most assuredly hear me if he wanted to listen. I kiss the tender spot under her ear. She smells fresh and clean from her shower.