“Okay, on one condition.”
He puts down his mug, wary. “Spill.”
“You will answer three questions from me.” And why the heck am I doing this? Curiosity, I think. It’s gotten the better of me.
He stills, not even blinking, for a long unnerving moment. Then he shrugs. “A game, huh? Well, why the hell not? I’m in.”
Wow. I realize I didn’t expect him to agree. What do you know… and what have I gotten myself into?
Too late to back out now, though. “Then it’s a deal.”
PART II
“One day,” Helen says, “our luck will turn. You’ll see. Life can’t keep fucking us up. Something’s gotta give.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, hands in my pockets, trying to pretend I don’t give a fuck about tomorrow, though I know she sees right through me.
She sucks on a cigarette, her slight body leaning against a brick wall. Her black boots are scuffed, her skirt almost non-existent, and her cleavage dips low. She’s badass, she’s fierce, and every time she climbs into a car with a guy, my stomach drops to my feet.
“Believe it, kid,” she whispers conspiratorially, leaning toward me. “Trust in the demon. The demon watching over you and me.” She winks. “Because it sure ain’t no angel.”
~ Jesse
Chapter Ten
Jesse
Absently twisting the leather band on my wrist, I lean back on the wall outside Damage Control and pretend I’m resting my eyes.
Not watching the street like a hawk, waiting for Amber to show up.
Maybe she changed her mind. I wouldn’t blame her one fucking bit. What the hell was I thinking when I suggested this idiotic plan? I wasn’t thinking, that’s the problem. Or thinking with my dick and that cold space inside my chest that feels warm when she’s around.
Fuck.
Besides, how will it help if she’s with me? Short of handing my money over to her, I don’t see how I’ll be convinced to spend it, and I’m not handing my money to anyone, not even to pretty, grumpy girls. So, what the fuck, right? I should turn around and leave.
But I don’t move, instead checking the street obsessively, tapping a rhythm with the heel of my boot on the wall and humming a song I hardly recall under my breath.
Until she appears.
A blue summer dress hugs her curves and she wears leather sandals that lace up to her knees. H
er toenails are also painted a light blue, and goddamn, it’s sexy. She’s sexy. With those curves trying to burst through the cloth, her dark hair pinned up and her mouth in a small pout, she’s enough to make me forget my doubts.
Hell, if she asked for my money, I’d pass her my wallet right now, I wouldn’t even care.
Did I mention she’s dangerous? I have to fight to catch my breath as she approaches me and that small pouts turns into a hesitant smile. My jeans are fast growing too tight over my hardening dick, and for the first time since I can remember myself, I’d give my right arm to kiss a girl.
This girl. Only this girl.
Jesus F. Christ.
“Ready?” She adjusts the strap of her leather bag on her shoulder. “We’ve got a bus to catch.”
“Where are we going?” I start after her as she makes a beeline for the bus stop, fascinated by the sway of her ass and her swinging ponytail. It catches the sunlight, breaking into strands of ebony, auburn, copper and gold.
But fuck, that ass…