Page 87 of Driftwood Daffodil

“Yes, you are,” the look on his face darkened. “I can smell it on you.”

That was literally impossible. No human could smell that good. Not that that made me feel any better.

“Go fuck yourself,” I hissed.

“Novalee Ford!”

Oh crap.

“Maw Maw…” was all I got out before I saw the slipper slicing through the air.

GIOVANNI

The first thing Romeo said to me when I walked in the door was, ‘Got anything?’

Of course, what he meant was did I find out anything, and yes I did. I found out that I was a dumb fuck that made stupid decisions.

I glanced down at the lit up screen of my dinging phone, then slipped it back in my pocket unanswered. Carissa Fiore was one of said stupid decisions. But not the one that had me sitting on the roof outside my bedroom window in the moonlight.

That one was a lot more complicated and not in any way an answer I could give to my brother. We didn’t find out if Veda Ford had seen anything because I was too busy kissing her sister.

What in the actual fuck?

Okay, so she was about to scream, but there were plenty of other ways to shut her up. I could’ve covered her mouth, smothered her, or choked her to death. Hell, a firm slap across the face would’ve worked. But I didn’t go for any of those options.

I didn’t use my hands at all. I used my goddamn mouth – which once again brought me back to my original thought… what in the actual fuck?

Kissing Novalee Ford far surpassed any of the fucked up shit I’d done in the past. She was the sister of my enemy, someone I dreamed about strangling, and a royal pain in my ass. And I fucking kissed her.

It must’ve been the heat. That was the only thing I could think of. I was hauling around heavy shit in stifling temperatures. Anyone would’ve lost their damn mind, right? I wasn’t the only one affected by it. Novalee did kiss me back, so clearly the heat got to her too.

The girl fucking hated me almost as much as I hated her. I don’t think she wanted to see me dead, but she glared at me like she did. Henceforth the kiss was nothing more than a knee jerk reaction by two delusional people. That was what I chose to chalk it up to. A mistake that I could move on from – which would’ve been a lot easier if I couldn’t still smell her.

Every time I closed my eyes my nostrils flared with that faint scent. It was sweet and refreshing, like a glass of iced tea on a hot afternoon. My body craved more while my mouth watered at the memory. So I did the only thing I could…

I sat outside in the fresh air with my eyes wide open. There was no hint of Novalee out here. No big hazel eyes glaring at me, another expression I wanted to slap away. There was just the trees in the distance, and lightning bugs flying around.

This quiet view from the back of my house was just what I needed to clear my head. My time was much better spent plotting her murder. It wasn’t like I enjoyed it or anything.

She fucking bit me!

The sting in my lip reignited as I gritted my teeth and balled my fists.

Who the fuck did Novalee think she was? Did she have any idea how many girls would’ve begged to be in her position? I had a new one trying to hang off me every week – anyone of whom would’ve sucked my dick for a little attention.

And she fucking bit me. Maybe I should bite her? Now there was an idea. I could dig my teeth into the soft flesh of her cheek and tear a chunk out. Bet her blood didn’t smell as good as the rest of her. It probably tasted pretty sweet though.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I let out a long exhale and cleared my mind.

What the fuck was wrong with me? One little kiss and I was suddenly reduced to a scared ten-year-old, hiding outside his window from his father. What was I supposed to tell him?Sorry I don’t have anything yet because I was too busy sucking face with the enemy?

That would make him take me seriously. I’d been waiting for this opportunity all my life – which Romeo of all people had to convince him to give me – and here I was. Fucking shit up on day one. And why… because she smelled good?

Come on. I had more self-control than that. I wasn’t Atlee. I didn’t chase after a pretty face and nice ass.

Though, Novalee did have a nice ass. All firm and grabbable. That shit looked great in jeans.

And… I’m thinking about her again.

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