Page 38 of First Verse

I swallow so hard I hear it. “Obviously.”

His smile is tender. Sad in a way I don’t understand. “I mean it. Someday you’re going to realize the way it is between us isn’t the norm. But when that happens—when you’re tempted—remember that I’m not worth it.”

Before my shock can transition to anger, he stalks to the bed and grabs my throat, then presses his lips to mine in a short, hard kiss.

“Goodbye, Fairy.”

Then he’s gone, striding from the bedroom. He doesn’t look back.

“Eva?” asks Rye in a tone that tells me he’s been talking but I haven’t heard a word he’s said.

“Sorry. I’m here.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

I force confidence into my voice. “Yep.”

He hesitates. “Are you guys talking now? Is this going to happen again?”

A sudden gust of wind throws my hair across my face and whistles through high branches. I shiver, then grab my tea and stand.

“No. It was a one-time thing.”

Rye says nothing.

He doesn’t have to.

I’m not sure I believe me, either.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

wilder

You gave me what I asked for

Then took it with you out the front door

Now I’m broken open

Everything unspoken

pouring out of me

So I spin… spin

On this carousel of sin… sin

A game I’ll never win… win

Without you

Six long weeks have passed since Evangeline’s gasps and moans became my favorite soundtrack. I’ve replayed our night together so many times the vinyl is worn out. Muffled and muddy, the melody distorted.

Sometimes I’m not sure it really happened.

The only time it feels real is when I’m asleep. In my dreams, I experience it all again. The silky slopes of her hips under my hands. Her arching neck. Sweat-slick spine against my chest, her hair in my mouth, in my fist. The graceful, serpentine waves of her moving body as she matched me note for note. Bright, lust-drunk eyes and her voice sobbing my name.

Evangeline is a perfect song, but she’s stuck in my head like a bad one.