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It felt as though time slowed down as energy arched from Silas’s hand and into James’s body. James shuddered, the color draining from his face. Stunned by what was happening, it took me a moment to react. Pressing against Silas’s side, I wrapped my fingers around his wrist and tugged his hand away from James.
Silas turned to me as the poor chump my dad tried to fix me up with slumped into a nearby seat. His blue eyes were filled with fear, and the tension in his large frame was palpable. I realized he was as surprised by what he’d just done as I was…and worried about how I would react.
7
Silas
What the fuck just happened?
I stared at Juniper, terrified that she was about to scream and take off running. Instead, she quickly kissed my cheek and whispered, “Are you okay?”
I didn’t have any words yet, so I just nodded.
“What’s going on here?” The snotty little hostess who’d tried to keep me from my girl—attempting to convince me that Juniper was on a date with someone else—rushed up to us.
“He passed out,” I gritted out, finally speaking. “I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I need to get my girl checked out.” Then without another word, I scooped Juniper into my arms and stalked to the entrance and out into the sunshine.
She was quiet and still until we were a few blocks down the road, then she patted my chest. “Stop for a second, Silas,” she encouraged, pointing toward the mouth of an alley. “Let’s talk.”
She didn’t sound angry, her tone was actually quite soothing, so I did as she asked. After I turned the corner, I set her on her feet but kept my arms locked around her. “I didn’t mean for that to happen,” I grunted. One second, I thought that perhaps giving him a little shock wouldn’t be so bad, and the next, I was electrocuting the punk. I felt bad, but I couldn’t bring myself tocompletelyregret it.
“Does that happen often?”
Shaking my head, I mumbled, “It’s never happened before.” A theory was beginning to take shape, though.
“Do you think your power is getting stronger?” She looked worried, but from the gentle way she was watching me and the soft rubbing of her hand on my bicep, I knew her concern was more for me than anyone I might have shocked. And that sent warmth flooding through my chest as my heart swelled.
“I suppose that’s one way to look at it,” I answered thoughtfully. “But I think it has more to do with you.”
“Me?” she squeaked in surprise.
My hands at her lower back clutched the fabric, and I pressed her body flush against mine. I stared right into her beautiful brown eyes as I admitted, “I haven’t felt much in the last twenty years. And I’ve never experienced the kind of deep emotions that you inspire. Maybe my power was heightened by the adrenaline coursing through me. I was…” I looked away for a second, horrified that my cheeks were heating. After a second, I sucked it up and returned my gaze to her face. “I was pretty fucking jealous.”
Juniper tried to hold back her smile, but I would see how much my confession pleased her. And it made me want to pick her up and run back to my house. If she was this beautiful when she was happy, I had no doubt she would look like a fucking goddess when she climaxed.
“Let’s eat,” I growled as I dropped my arms from around her, then took her hand in mine. I laced our fingers together and led her back onto the main drag, then out to the parking lot where my Jeep was parked.
I got her settled in the car, then got in and started the engine. Rather than going somewhere nearby, I decided to take her to the little town where I grew up—the only place where I blended in amongst the other dwellers.
Juniper watched with curiosity as I turned on Main Street, passing through the town square. It was a place that many of us avoided as much as possible due to the memories of that Halloween.
I shook off those thoughts and pulled into the parking lot in front of Something Wicked. There was a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant next door called Monster Mac. Maggie’s best friend, Ella, had opened it right after the incident. She’d been a chef at a four-star restaurant in Chicago and had come home for a visit at Halloween. When she sprouted wings, pointed ears, and a tale, she resigned herself to staying in Screaming Woods.
Her restaurant was all about comfort food, and it had the best mac and cheese I’d ever tasted.
“I hope you don’t mind something a little less fancy,” I said with a grin. Juniper smiled brightly and shook her head.
“Lady M isn’t really my speed. I just wanted to try their crepe cake.”
I laughed as I removed my gloves and threw them on the dashboard before exiting the car. I had a feeling Juniper would appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, and everyone in town knew to avoid touching me without a barrier.
I opened her door and helped her alight, then held her at arm’s reach while my eyes traveled over her body. Her dress clung to her figure in all the right places, and I couldn’t wait to pop open every one of the buttons that lined the front. Her legs looked a mile long and ended in pretty flats that matched her purple dress.
After a thorough inspection, I pulled her in close and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. When we parted, I murmured, “You look gorgeous. I should have told you earlier.”
Juniper blushed prettily, making me smile. “Thank you. I don’t normally care for the clothes my mother picks out, but I actually really liked this dress.”
“Me, too,” I replied with a wink as I released her and took hold of her hand. I shut the door and guided her over to the door of Monster Mac.
