Page 31 of Wicked Bite
“If you say so.” She backed away from me and headed right toward the door. When she got to it, she bumped right into the handle and winced. “I had a really nice time.”
“For me as well. Wait you don’t have my number.”
I pointed to my phone resting on the dresser. “I’ve already got it.”
“But how… you know what. Never mind. Later.” She fumbled for the handle, jiggling it a few times before she yanked it open.
“Until then.” I held still, waiting for that deer-in-headlights look to leave her face. Yet, it never did as she darted for the door and let it close quickly behind her. Her footsteps hurried away, and I smiled to myself. Piper was completely intriguing in a contradictory sort of way: strong yet delicate, complicated yet simple, sweet yet sassy.
I shook my head and headed for the bathroom, letting the sheet fall to the floor. Every muscle in my body felt at ease. There was no tension or worry. My night was set, and the plan was simple: spend it with Piper. Nothing more, nothing less. I turned on the shower and let the water run. In only a few moments, steam billowed from behind the white shower curtain.
I didn’t want to wash her lush scent from my body, but if I was going to make tonight memorable, I had to bring my A-game. I stepped into the hot stream and let it run over me for long moments. I felt the shift in the air first, the movement of something magical that didn’t fit here with me. I groaned and grabbed the bar of soap.
“You’re not meant to be here.”
“Neither are you, mate,” Sav called from the other side of the curtain.
I scrubbed over my skin. “Mirror travel is not an open invitation.”
“I think your memory does fail you. Perhaps it’s been too long for you.” I could see his shadow moving behind the curtain.
“And yet I don’t remember extending the invitation.” I tossed the bar of soap onto the shelf. Atlas Savage was my oldest friend. He knew all my deep dark secrets, as I knew his. But he was here for one reason and one reason only.
“And yet I don’t recall ever needing one.”
I switched the water off and ran my hands over my soaking hair. I yanked the curtain to the side and a towel hit my face. I caught it and dried my chest and arms. “I’m busy.”
“With the human?” He scoffed. “Your taste as of late has been interesting to say the least.”
“Piper, her name is Piper.” I wrapped the towel around my hips and stepped out of the shower.
Atlas stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. His white hair fell over his eyes and blocked half his face. Poe, his crow, was perched on his shoulder. He arched his eyebrows at me. “Indeed, her fragrance lingers on the air. Joyous night?”
“Do the rules of gentlemen no longer apply?” I pushed past him as I walked back into the room.
Sav turned in the same doorway and leaned against the door jamb. “Do you not see the logistical problems of this situation?”
Annoyance flared in my chest. I yanked the dresser drawer open and pulled my sweater out. “No, I fail to see the logistical problems.”
“You are endeared to this one.”
Shrug. “So?”
“I have never seen you so.” He walked into the room and dropped down on the couch. He spread his arms wide across the back and slouched into the cushions, making himself comfortable.
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous someone is taking my time.” I knew what he was getting at, but it didn’t have to be a concern. I pulled a pair of jeans from the dresser drawer and threw them on the bed along with the sweater.
He caught my eye. “Shades are not permitted to love.”
“Who said anything about love?” It was a ridiculous notion. “Hasn’t happened in two hundred years. Won’t happen now.”
“But the curse”
“Has nothing to do with me. I will not fall to it, and no one will be hurt in the process. I find her intriguing.” The curse of The House of Shade had lingered in my family for centuries. My father fell to it before I was born, and yet I’d vowed never to get that close. And I’d stuck to that vow.
“And what of the girl?” His face was so placid, bored even.
“What of her? We are only exploring each other. A companion doesn’t interfere with the curse.”
