Page 146 of House of Pain
She was the one who told him that they shouldn’t be doing anything anymore. It was her choice, her decision to keep him at bay because she wasn’t sure she could handle whatever the fuck they were doing.
Sleeping with boys who couldn’t give her what she craved was easy enough. There would always be space for disappointment, which would stop other feelings from coming in.
Things weren’t as simple when mind-blowing orgasms were involved. Sadly.
“Done,” Bea’s voice came from behind Alecto. “The walls seem to be intact, for the most part. The enchants from last year are still lingering in some places.”
“Good,” Alecto said, nodding. “Let’s do this quickly and get it over with.”
She led the spell. It didn’t take them long to finish placing a strong protective barrier over the old ruins. If someone decided to cause some damage or get into a brawl, the historical monument would stay unscathed.
After they cleaned up their circle, Alecto sent the rest of the Snakes home, staying behind to walk around the ruins and make sure that they hadn’t missed anything.
She had to wait for Jolene to finish anyway, as they agreed to go shopping this evening for their costumes for Samhain next week.
As she strolled around the perimeter, the dry leaves rustled under her boots, and she savored every moment of it.
It was easy to miss the delicate change of the seasons when summer bleeds into golden autumn because it always seemed to come out of nowhere.
One minute you were on the beach, sun hot and high in the sky, and the next, you were cuddled in your favorite sweater, warming your hands with a cup of hot chocolate because the sun couldn’t be bothered to stay up long enough.
As Alecto finished off her walk and prepared to go look for Jolene, Rogue approached her.
“Black, you’re busy?” he asked.
“What’s up, Smolder?” she asked, jerking her chin.
He dropped his eyes and scratched the back of his neck as if he was suddenly shy, unsure of himself.
“I have a question.”
Alecto arched both of her eyebrows. “Spill it.”
“I was wondering if you already have a partner for the party next week?”
The question took a couple of moments to process. It was the last thing she expected to hear from Rogue.
“I don’t. Why?”
“Well, I was wondering if you would like to go with me?”
Another pause. Alecto blinked.Sure, Rogue had been useful and kind to her when she least expected it. But somehow, she didn’t think he would be…into her.
“You’re asking me on a date, Smolder?”
“Yeah,” he said with a shrug. “I’m asking you to go with me, Alecto. No hidden agenda or dinner or a quick little fuck behind the tree in the forest.”
“Smooth, Smolder. Real smooth.”
“Comes easily for my kind,” he replied, eyes flickering.
Alecto considered whether it was worth going with Rogue or if she should just stick with the usual and go alone like she always did.
But then, Blaze and Val drew Alecto’s attention from behind Rogue’s shoulder as they both walked out of the tower.Val was clinging to Blaze. And Blaze seemed to be consumed by whatever Val was saying, his eyes on her, watching intently.
Alecto wasn’t sure what was rising in her chest, burning bright like a flame, but she turned her attention back to Rogue. “Sure, I’ll go with you.”
The best way to getoversomeone is by gettingundersomeone, right?
