Page 36 of The Devil and His Ghost

I let my shirt fall back into place. His dark brow twitched with what almost looked like disappointment, but I was sure that was just my imagination. “I’d love to, but … I doubt it will work out.”

He studied me with that penetrating gaze of his. He didn’t press me to explain, but he didn’t need to. I wasn’t sure what conclusion he came to, but he eventually asked, “Want me to give you one?”

My lips parted slightly in surprise. “You? You know how to tattoo?”

“Sure.” He held out his arm to show me the intricate and detailed gothic cathedral on his forearm. “I did this one.”

I could hardly believe it. The black ink was flawless. His talent seemed to know no bounds, though I’d never tell him I thought so.

Instead, I grinned. “When?”

He leaned down until our noses almost touched. “When you admit I’m your favorite member of Sinners Do It Better.”

Having Xander’s face so close to mine had my heart doing a medically dangerous dance. I turned my back on him with a scoff, pretending I was indifferent to his proximity while really trying to get my emotions under control. I crawled onto the queen size bed and turned on the TV. He flopped down beside me as I flipped through the different channels, and even without looking his way, I could feel his amused stare heating the side of my face.

“Oh, stop here,” Xander chirped, folding his hands across his bare stomach as he leaned against the headboard. “Creature from the Black Lagoon is a great movie.”

I listened to his request and left the station on the black-and-white film. I settled against the headboard with him, but because he was such a large man in a tight space, our arms brushed. I didn’t pull away, and neither did he. We lounged back, content with the male narrator opening up the 1954 movie. For a moment, it was like time had rewound itself, and we were back in his apartment for one of our movie nights.

“So you’re in LA tonight,” Xander stated, eyes still on the TV. “How long are you here?”

“I fly out tomorrow. We’re going to The Gilded Hotel in New York to film for Haunted Days and Nightmares, so I’ll be heading there in the morning.”

Xander’s head lolled in my direction. “Should I come along?”

I raised a brow. “Your schedule is open enough to film an episode of a show on such short notice?”

He shrugged. “I’m a demon. I can make it happen if you want me there.”

If you want me there.

A warm flip broke free in my stomach.

I’d invited him to my room while high on the thrill of seeing him again after all those years apart. The minute he offered to join me for the show’s shoot, that buzz of excitement cooled. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to tell him to come along.

Which was precisely why I answered, “No need to come so soon. We’ll let you know when you’re wanted.”

Remember the distance you created, Kendyll. Remember why you can’t get close to him again.

He smirked, appearing unperturbed by my suddenly indifferent attitude. “I look forward to it.”

Chapter 15

Xander

(2 Years Ago)

“IT’S TRULY ONE OF THE most haunted locations you’ll ever come across.”

I shared a rather bland sideways look with Kendyll. Even with her silence and avoidance of my gaze, I knew she agreed with what I was thinking. Her tight professional smile couldn’t hide that as she addressed the woman leading her up the stairs.

“I appreciate you giving me a run down of the history and its lingering souls.”

The haunted tour guide of The Gilded Inn, Wendy, beamed at her. The woman was short, only reaching Kendyll’s chest. Despite the wrinkles on her face, her eyes shined with fascinated youth. A black t-shirt promoting the haunted inn hugged her round body, and she clasped her brightly painted nails.

“Of course! It was much shorter than my normal spiel, since Bethelma will know everything when she arrives. Such a remarkable medium! Still, I thought you might enjoy hearing some scary stories.” Wendy sighed and stared dreamily at the ceiling as we reached the top of the steps. “We are truly so honored to have Bethelma and the rest of the Haunted Days and Nightmares team showcasing our ghostly establishment.”

“Ghostly,” I snorted. “Right.”