“Who is he?” Roland flicks his chin in my direction, his arms crossed, legs spread wide in a bracing stance. Like I’m coming for him at any second and he’s ready for it.
He’s bold, I’ll give him that. Asking her who I am. I’ve known her longer than him and he acts like he’s her damn father.
“My first love.” Her gaze seeks out mine. “The boy who first broke my heart.”
I snicker. “More like you broke mine.”
We stare at each other in silence until Roland breaks the trance with a snort.
“So it’s like that then.” Roland shakes his head with an exasperated sigh. “I’ll leave you two be. But if you need anything, Miss Lancaster, anything at all, you give me a call, okay? It will take me less than two minutes to get here.”
The threatening glare he sends in my direction almost makes me laugh.
“I will, Roland,” she says. “I promise.”
“I’ve known her for years, Roland,” I tell him, my voice gruff. “Nothing is going to happen to her.”
He points a gnarled finger in my direction. “You make sure of that, young man. You’re too rich and fancy for my blood, but then again, so is Miss Lancaster. I’m guessing you two might be okay for each other.”
Before either of us can say anything, he’s striding off the porch, moving fairly fast for an older man. Maybe he’s not as old as I thought.
Within minutes, Roland is back in his beat-up old Ford truck and driving away, kicking up dust once he comes off the circular driveway. We watch him go, the roar of the truck’s engine growing more and more distant, until I can’t hear it any longer.
With the vehicle gone, I realize it’s unnervingly quiet here, surrounded by the lush, thick forest. The occasional chirp of a bird, or the pine branches gently swaying with the breeze are the only sounds. My gaze goes to the thicket of trees, staring at nothing. It feels as if someone is watching me in the hushed, thick forest and I glance over my shoulder.
But there’s nothing there.
Sylvie is smiling when I return my attention to her, and for a moment, I savor that flash of teeth. The sparkle in her gaze. How good it feels to be in her presence once more.
Did she doubt I’d find her? Did she think of me at all? Probably not. She’s selfish. Self-indulgent.
She doesn’t even have to officially summon me, and here I am, just like anyone else who does the Lancaster bidding. Rushing to get to her without hesitation.
The logical side of my brain tells me I probably shouldn’t have come. My gut warns it could be a mistake. My brain is reminding me of all the shitty things she’s ever done to me.
Yet here I am, and she’s so damn happy. I can see it in the sparkle of her blue eyes, the size of her smile. She gives up all earlier pretense of coolness and throws herself at me, her arms going around my neck as she presses that newly lush body against mine.
“I can’t believe you came,” she breathes, just before she settles her mouth on mine in the briefest, ripest kiss.
I’ve always thought her lips were like the most delectable fruit. Swollen and luscious. Sweet and tart.
My little angel who’s really a devil in disguise. Aren’t the fallen the ones who were the purest to start with? That’s Sylvie. I’m surprised she’s still not sprouting the black feathers she wore for her Halloween costume long ago.
I rest my hands lightly on her waist, keeping her still, so she doesn’t come any closer. “You’re not surprised, Syl. You knew eventually I’d show up.”
She leans back, her eyes on mine, her lips parted. So many unspoken words rest on her tongue and they remain that way. Unsaid. She drives me out of my fucking mind.
I’m a glutton for punishment.
The sun shines upon her hair, spinning it into gold, and she reminds me of a wood sprite. An evil little fairy. She’d delight in giving me pleasure, as well as cutting me with the sharpest knife.
My body grows tight anticipating the pain she’ll bring me.
The pleasure.
“What’s going on in your head, hmm?” Her voice is like a hum, low and vibrating along my nerve endings and I shake my head slowly.
“You don’t want to know.” I set her away from me, proud of my strength. Resisting her is my greatest weakness. “You should make good on your promise and show me around.”