Chapter 9
MALICIOUS
I stop, heart racing. Every time I see her, I’m stunned. I can’t believe she’s real.
I stare at her crouched form. Her fingers scratch under a dog’s chin, and I’m envious of the little creature. He looks so happy to be the object of Summer’s affection. I need that … her gaze on me, her hands on my body.
As the dog’s owner pulls him away, I remain where I am, knowing I’m too close. Summer stands and spins, smacking right into my chest, and that brief contact makes my cock jerk.
With her standing right before me, bright green eyes blinking in the setting sun, Summer is even smaller than I recall. The little bikini string tied behind her neck and disappearing under her shirt tempts me. My fingers itch to give the end a little tug.
That’s all it would take …
When I drop my hand from her arm, Summer takes another step back, and I almost grab her wrist to keep her close but stop myself at the last minute. She stuffs her hands in her pockets, the ends of which poke out the bottom of her cut-off shorts. Very short shorts. So much leg for someone so small.
The wind ruffles her dark hair as she blushes, adding color to her tan. Has she been laying in the sun all day? Suddenly, I’m jealous of the sun’s rays that got to kiss her skin. Would she be salty if I licked her?
She shifts her weight to one hip, saying, “I don’t know about us meeting like this being fate, more like alcohol. I’m sorry for slamming into you … again.”
I raise a brow with a teasing smile. “Day drinking?”
She laughs. “Yup! I’m on vacation after all. But let’s not put all the blame on the tequila. That dog was soooo cute. I was rightfully distracted.”
The alcohol has softened Summer. She’s pliant, happy, sun-drenched, and oh so fuckable. I might as well be the angel the humans call my kind, because I’m somehow able to keep my eyes off her breasts under that thin tank top and on her face as I ask, “Do you have a dog?”
Her smile turns wistful. “Nah.” Looking over her shoulder, she sighs at the far-off figure of the woman and her dog. “I love dogs. Just never had the time to properly take care of one. But maybe”—she turns back to me—“when I go back home, I’ll look into adopting one.”
I almost tell her she will not be going home, but I put my hands in the pockets of my light-weight pants, mirroring her. “So, where’s home?” That must have been the wrong question because her expression closes off, her lips pressing together. And was there a flash of alarm in her eyes?
Fighting to keep my growl contained, I vow to discover everything that causes my little sunshine even a drop of fear and vanquish them all.
Quickly, I wave off my words. “I apologize. That was terribly personal. We haven’t even properly met.” I hold out my hand, anticipation pulsing through me as I say, “My name is Mal.”
Summer looks at my hand like it might bite her. I hold steady, giving her time, and finally a little smile slips to her lips, and she sways towards me. “Nice to meet you, Mal. I’m Summer.”
Fuck. Hearing my name coming from her lips …
Her small hand slides across mine, and my skin tingles from her touch, the sensation rushing up my arm and across my chest. Her skin is warm, and her grip is firm as we shake hands for a little longer than is necessary. I swear I feel her tugging at my heart.
Summer’s gaze moves to my shoulder … no, just beyond my shoulder, and her brows furrow before quickly smoothing out. She slides her hand from mine, and it takes enormous effort to let her go.
With a small smile, I say, “I admit to already knowing your name, Summer. I overheard Paine’s ma—girlfriend use your name in the bookstore.”
She nods, rubbing her hands together. “You and Paine are …?”
What are we? “Paine and I are acquaintances.” I pause, watching as she runs her fingers through her hair before I go on. “I’ll admit, I was disappointed when Paine’s girlfriend spirited you away so quickly.”
Shifting her weight to her other foot, Summer blushes, biting her bottom lip. Fuck me. I’ve never wanted to kiss someone so badly. She glances beyond me, and I think she’s getting ready to make her excuse to leave, so I blurt out, “May I buy you a drink?” Her shoulders tense up slightly, so I’m quick to add, “As an apology for running into you.”
She chuckles, the tightness draining away. “You don’t need an excuse to ask me out. I … I’d love to. I’ve thought about you … a lot since the bookstore.” She slaps her hand to her forehead. “God, I can’t believe I just admitted that.”
I chuckle, drawing her gaze back to me where it belongs. “No need to be embarrassed. Seems we both made an impression on each other.”
“You … You’ve thought about me too?”
I nod, pressing my lips together before saying, “I have. I was on the verge of forcing Paine to arrange a meeting between us, but I was hoping I’d run into you again.”
She laughs, throwing her head back, and the sound curls inside me, then spreads like the warmth of a sunbeam. “Well, I literally ran into you, again. Jesus, I swear I’m not usually this oblivious to my surroundings.”
I laugh. “We can blame the alcohol and general dog cuteness.”
Summer drops her gaze, shifting the little bag that’s slung across her chest. Why does that stupid bag get to hug her breasts and I don’t? Her voice draws my eyes back to her face as she says, “There’s not much time before The Divide falls, so I don’t think there’s time for a proper date.”
She blushes, but her comment reminds me. Damn. I don’t have to worry about The Divide falling, but she certainly does. Well, not with me around, but she doesn’t know that … yet.
Summer continues, “Anyway, I was on my way to the Asian market. I need more limes. One can’t make a decent margarita without fresh lime juice.”
Stepping to the side, I hold out my arm. “Then, may I accompany you?”
“You want to come to the grocery store with me?”
Yes, more than anything. Well, not anything. What I really want is to steal her away to my castle, strip those little shorts off her legs, and untie her bikini with my teeth. Instead, I say, “If you wouldn”t mind the company.”
“Sure, I’d … I’d like that.”
Her flip-flops slap the sidewalk as she walks past me. I turn, matching her pace. We walk in silence for a while, and other than having to fight the urge to take her hand, it’s pleasant. After about a block, I ask, “So, you said you’re here on vacation?”
“A long overdue summer vacation.”
“Well, I hope it’s been good so far.”
“Yes. So far, it’s been just what I needed.”
She glances at me, her eyes traveling down my body before a little blush blooms pink on her cheeks.
Yes, little Summer. I’m just what you need.
She returns her gaze forward, clearing her throat, and I hold back a chuckle. It’s gratifying to know she’s as affected by me as I am by her.
We approach the Asian market, and the doors automatically swoosh open, cold air blasting us. Summer shivers and goosebumps prickle her exposed skin. I want to wrap my arm around her, but I just follow along as she picks up a basket and slings it over one arm. She grabs a giant bag of limes, and as soon as she drops them in her basket, I take the handles, unthreading it from her elbow. She starts to protest, but I hold up a hand. “Please, allow me.”
Her eyes sparkle with warmth as she nods. “Do you mind if I grab a few other things?”
“Not at all.”
As we weave through the tight aisles, she sways every so often but stays upright. I wonder how drunk she is as I ask, “So, what are some of your favorite things to cook?”
Apparently, this was a good question, because she launches into descriptions, pointing at things as we pass, telling me how she likes to prepare them and what she serves them with. I don’t really understand half of what she’s talking about, but she’s so animated and happy, I’d let her talk about food for hours just so I could hear her voice.
I’m thankful I thought to add the kitchen in my new house. The thought of us together, sauces simmering, the scent of rich food wafting around us, each of us taking the occasional sip from our drinks … who knew cooking could be so sensual?
Damn. This woman has bewitched me. And I’m delighted by it.
She goes into great detail of how she makes her spicy margaritas, and all I can think about is licking the chili salt off her lips. When she grabs a bottle of red wine, I distract myself from the temptation of her sinful mouth by saying, “Did you know the ancient Greeks used to eat flatbread dipped in wine for breakfast?”
She wrinkles her nose, and I find the expression so cute, the need to kiss her has me leaning down before I catch myself. Damn it. All I want to do is kiss her until she’s falling apart in my arms, begging me for more.
She puts the bottle in the basket, saying, “Good for the ancient Greeks, I guess. Doesn’t sound all that appealing first thing in the morning.”
I chuckle. What would she think if I told her stories of my life living among the ancient Greeks? A rich merchant gifted me the bronze laurel crown I still wear today with the hope that I’d marry his daughter. I enjoyed the daughter, and she enjoyed me and the special things I can do with my cock. The marriage didn’t happen, but I kept the crown.
Coming out of my memories, I focus on Summer as she tells me about a pasta sauce she likes to make with the wine. We make our way to the front where she pays, and I grab the bag before she can. The heat of the day greets us, a welcome warmth after the chill of the store. She pauses a few steps away from the doors, holding out her hand, supposedly for her groceries.
“Thank you, Mal. This was fun. Grocery dates should be a thing.”
I hug the bag to my chest, shaking my head. “My time is yours. I’m having a very nice time with you, Summer.” And I am. I’m enjoying learning things about her. I like being near her. I’m … content. How odd. “I’m not ready for it to end. May I escort you home?”
She doesn’t drop her outstretched arm. A lick of fear shutters across her eyes. What has her spooked? What did I say?
Summer steps forward, and just then, a soft breeze brushes her from behind, bringing me her scent. Petrichor, smoke, and copper. My mouth waters, and now that I know what to look for, I taste her magic. It’s buried deep, and I doubt she knows of her power, but it’s delicious. I send out my own magic, searching for any threats that may be nearby. Not many monsters are strong enough to pass through The Divide before it falls, even with the summer solstice so close, but still, I worry.
She wraps her hand around the handle of the bag, tugging. “Thank you, but it’s not far, and it’s getting late. You should probably head home. You don’t want to get caught outside.”
Stubbornly, I hold the bag, keeping her close as I nod in the direction of her townhouse. “Your place is on my way home.”
Her eyes go wide. She abandons the bag, backing away quickly. I hold up a hand, moving to follow her, but I stop as she plants her feet and punches her fists to her hips.
Oh, angry Summer is glorious. I want to taste her fury. I want to kiss her through that temper.
She stands tall, which is still terribly short. She starts to pitch back, but catches her balance, keeping that stormy look in her eyes through the haze of her alcohol buzz.
I shrug unapologetically. “Paine’s girlfriend told me where you’re staying.”
Technically, it’s true since it was Mira shouting Summer’s name into the night that alerted me to her being in that townhouse.
Summer’s eyes go wide. Eyeing me, she opens her small bag with an angry zip. She digs out her phone, her finger tapping furiously. She pauses, then a soft chime comes from her device. As she scans the message, her shoulders relax slightly.
Looking up at me, Summer puts her phone away and sighs. “Seems Mira did tell you.” I raise a brow, and she huffs, hands landing on her hips again. “Yes, I checked.”
I nod. “Good.”
Summer snorts. “Good?”
“Why take me at my word when it comes to your safety? It’s okay to be cautious, Summer. It’s smart.”
A look that I can only describe as dreamy softens her eyes. “Ohhhh. Um. Okay.”
My lips quirk with my suppressed chuckle, and I hold out my free arm. “So, shall we?”
She nods, turning. I follow my woman, unable to keep the grin from my face.
Looking over her shoulder, she slows so we walk side-by-side and asks, “So, Mal, tell me more about yourself. I’ve done all the talking so far.”
“Hmm. Let’s see. I love art.”
“Anything in particular?”
I shake my head. “Not really. I don’t care if it’s a painting, a sketch, a sculpture … I like … the emotions captured in art. I love the rush of different feelings that well inside me as I get lost in something a huma—someone created with their hands.” I don’t think she noticed my almost-slip. Thank you, tequila.
What I don’t say is that until her, art was one of the only things that stirred me out of my boredom, that brought a small amount of color to my grey existence.
Her eyes stay on me as we continue walking. “That’s beautiful, Mal. I’ll admit, I don’t know much about art, but the way you talk about it makes me curio?—”
With her attention on me, she misses the step-down of the curb. She stumbles into the cross street, and my arm snaps out. I grab her shoulder, pulling her back as a car slams on its brakes. The driver throws up their hands, an angry scowl on their face. I glare at them, and they quickly put their hands back on the steering wheel, slowly driving off.
Summer hasn’t said a thing, but her back rises against the front of my body with her quick breaths. Leaning down, I inhale her scent, catching the sour taste of fear under the flavors of petrichor, smoke, and copper. Her skin prickles as I whisper against her ear, “Are you okay, Summer?”
She nods. “At this point you won’t believe me, but I swear I’m not usually this clumsy.” Turning slowly, she looks up right into my eyes. I expect her to back away, but she stays close. So fucking close.
My voice practically purrs from my throat. “Can I boost my ego and think it was my presence that distracted you this time?”
Her lips part, and she holds my gaze for a long second before looking down my neck, over my chest, and to the waistband of my pants. Licking her lips, she snaps her gaze back to my face. She’s flushed, and all I want to do is take the tiny step to press our bodies together. She opens her mouth, but before she responds, her eyes lift to my hair, her head tilting. Reaching up, she stops short of touching me.
I can’t read her expression, and it’s driving me mad.
Summer squints, shakes her head, then her eyes go wide. Taking a step away from me, her heels dip off the edge of the curb, and her arms windmill.
Damn it, this woman is a hazard to herself.
I snatch her wrist, pulling her back on steady feet. Her gaze is glued behind me, her teeth worrying at her tempting bottom lip. What is she looki?—
“You, y-you have …” Summer lifts her free hand, pointing. “I’m not crazy. I’m not. My imagination is good, but this …” She hiccups, running her hand through her hair. “You have wings!”