Jack smiled, though it looked a bit forced.“Ah.Well, I mustn’t keep you out too late then.”
“Thank you.Any other night…”
He waved off my excuses.“Don’t apologize.Let’s get you home, shall we?”
We stood from the table, and Jack took care of the check before leading me back to the car.The night air had turned a bit cooler, and I pulled my jacket tighter around myself, trying to shake off the unease that settled over me.As we drove back to my apartment, Jack continued chatting, but I could tell he was disappointed the evening was ending so soon.A part of me felt guilty, knowing that my decision was based on fears he couldn’t even begin to comprehend.
When we pulled up outside my building, Jack parked the car and came around to open the door for me.I stepped out, and as I turned to thank him, he surprised me by leaning in and pressing his lips gently against mine.The kiss was sweet, soft, and perfectly nice—exactly the kind of kiss that should have sent my heart racing.
Except, it didn’t.
It was…pleasant.Like sipping a warm cup of tea on a cold day.Comforting, but without the fire that simmered beneath the surface whenever I was with Rathiel.
I pulled back, dismayed and disappointed, but tried not to show it.“Thanks for tonight.It really was wonderful.”
Jack ducked his head and met my gaze.“I’m glad you had a good time.We should do this again sometime—when you’re not working the early shift.”
“Definitely,” I agreed, though my voice lacked enthusiasm.“Goodnight, Jack.”
“Goodnight, Lily,” he replied.He circled around his car before quickly hopping in and driving off into the night.I stood there and watched until his taillights disappeared.
I turned toward the building, then paused.For some reason, my gaze rose, climbing to the second level.
The second I spotted Rathiel on my balcony, my heart kicked into overdrive.He stood at the edge, his fingers gripping the railing, his eyes locked on me.He didn’t move, but the intensity in his rigid stance sent a shiver down my spine.Clearly, he’d been waiting for me, watching for my return, had seen the kiss.
I couldn’t tear my eyes off him.The distance between us suddenly felt like an ocean, vast and insurmountable.The kiss with Jack had been nice.Normal.Boring.But whatever was between Rathiel and me…it blazed.It burned with a fierce intensity that both terrified and drew me in.Our relationship was anything from simple.It was riddled with unspoken emotions and secrets that confused and infuriated me.Yet, no matter how much I tried to resist it—resisthim—the pull between us was undeniable.
Without a word, Rathiel turned and disappeared into the apartment.I stood there another minute, my heart pounding for reasons completely unrelated to Jack, before finally gathering the courage to head inside.
ChapterTwenty
It was my day off.
Usually, that meant lounging on the couch, devouring bucket loads of candy, and laughing at Vol and Purrgatory’s antics.Not today, though.Today, there was no lounging, no candy, anddefinitelyno laughing.Instead, there was a whole lot of broodiness, gloominess, and doominess—all compliments of one Rathiel.
Ever since last night, he’d been trying to keep his distance.But such a feat was next to impossible when sharing a cramped living space like my apartment.Every time I turned around, there he was, underfoot.I’d tripped over his behemoth-sized body more times than I’d tripped over Purrgatory—and that said a lot, because Purrgatory was a sadistic little nugget when it came to winding through my legs.
It was beyond frustrating.
Naturally, Vol found our situation utterly comical.So much so that he’d decided to make matters worse, as Vol oft did.In the last hour, he’d found Purrgatory’s stash of toys and had turned the apartment into his own personal battlefield.Armed with a makeshift slingshot he’d cobbled together from a rubber band and a bent spoon, he kept launching cat toys across the kitchen—andrightat Rathiel.With alarming precision, I might add.
“Fire in the hole!”
I whirled around at the sound of Vol’s shout and watched as a small jingly ball smacked Rathiel right in the forehead.Rathiel went deathly still, his terrifying glare aimed right at Vol.That should have convinced the imp to knock it off—it would have convinced me—but instead, Vol just grinned and loaded up another toy, this time a fuzzy mouse.Apparently, he’d chosen death today.
As he pulled back the rubber band, I took a step forward, about to snatch the stupid slingshot from his little hands, when Vol released the ammunition, and struck Rathiel in the shoulder.
Rathiel snarled and lunged forward.
With a small gasp, I snatched Vol up, my fingers pinning his arms—slingshot and all—to his sides.
“Alright, everyone.Let’s just take a breath,” I said, my voice deceptively calm.
Vol squirmed against me, but truly, the six-inch imp was no match for me.I merely tightened my grip and held up the menace so I could look him in the eyes.
“Knock it off,” I growled at him.“Or next time, I’ll let Rathiel kill you.”
Vol rolled his eyes.
