Page 239 of Sorrow & Strangers

“Uh, right. Like you have a say,” I say, taking a bite of my lunch.

Leo’s fork warps in his grip, and his eyes flash golden when they meet mine. “I heard you have a demon living with you now, Summer.”

Both Max and I tense, but while all my words get lost in my anxiety, Max is able to speak for me. “How do you know about that?” The news of Rafe being on campus isn’t a secret, but until we’ve straightened things out with Rafe attending classes, I’d rather he not be openly talked about. That will just add to the pressure on him. Demons are always educated in their own realm, and so they are a hot commodity around here because they are rare. Seeing one with a muzzle will be alarming to some and probably a turn-on to others.

“Heard a rumor that a demon was on campus and was heading to Morningstar House,” Leo says with a shrug, some of his tension dripping off him now that the attention is elsewhere.

“Could have been an angel dressed up like a demon. Probably Zach or Zane,” Max says. I look down at the table, thankful for Max in this moment. “If there were a demon, he would be fiercely protected by his sisters.” Max grabs my hand under the table, lacing his fingers with mine. I glance at him and give his palm a little squeeze, and when I look back up, Leo is looking between us.

“So, where is Alice?” Leo asks, changing the subject, but I don’t miss the way his voice changes.

“She has a botany lab after lunch, so she’s preparing,” I say, noting his disappointment.

We are all quiet as we finish lunch and go our separate ways. I’m walking to class when my phone pings.

Unknown

How was your lunch, princess?

Summer

Fine. Yours?

Unknown

I was missing someone sitting on my lap during it. All Souls certainly spoiled me.

My stomach flutters, and I read his message over and over.

Summer

Can you meet me somewhere?

The dots bob up and down, and my skin tingles in anticipation.

Unknown

Around the back of the building?

I don’t even send a confirmation text before I’ve turned around and am walking in the opposite direction of my class.

The stranger is waiting for me, leaning against the dark brick wall. When he sees me, he prowls toward me. The motion is slow, and by the time his hand cups my cheek, my body is practically thrumming. I just stare up at him, allowing myself to feel how much I’ve missed him, and while the moment is charged with need and desire, it is also intimate and vulnerable.

“This is one of those times it feels impossible not to kiss you,” he says, dropping his head closer to mine.

I reach up and brush my fingertips along his bottom lip, stepping closer to him when I draw a groan from him. His hand slides from my cheek to my waist, and I moan softly when he pulls me even closer.

“Those sounds you make. So unfair,” he says, his voice thick with desire.

There is a flash of movement from one of the windows, and I glance up, but the stranger has also noticed. Before I register him moving, he has me pinned against the wall where we are out of sight, and he is pressing kisses along my jaw. I moan, but I place my hands against his chest and push.

“What is it?” he asks, his body still pressed to mine.

“I’m celibate,” I manage to pull from my last shred of self-restraint.

“I know,” he says, chuckling darkly. “And?”

“I’m desperate,” I moan, the word conveying my deep need.