Page 115 of Shame the Devil
“A tour that starts with our place,” Jennifer said. “Where we will beliving.”
“Oh, we already looked at that,” Dyma said breezily. “And, yeah, it’s about ten times nicer than any apartment I’ve ever been in. Not as weird as this, though. I’m all about the weird vibe.”
“I think Dyma should move into the room next to mine,” Annabelle said. “We talked about it. We’re sharing the tutor and everything—”
“Although I don’t need a tutor,” Dyma said. “Seeing as how I have projects to do for my AP classes, plus my programming final, and that’s it. Other than that, I just need you to sign off on my P.E. hours, Mom. But I can help Annabelle with Precalculus and Chemistry when the tutor isn’t here, since that’ll just be fun.”
“Fun, huh?”Harlan said. “First time I’ve ever heard those subjects described that way. And you don’t need anybody keeping you on track on those projects? You sure?”
“Well, yeah,” Dyma said. “Calculus is exciting. It’s, like,sexy,the perfection of it.Theprecisionof it. And if I need somebody keeping me on track to do my projects, how’m I supposed to handle engineering school? I’mmotivated,Harlan. It’s a thing.”
“You’re also rude,” Jennifer said. “Also a thing.”
“Really?” Dyma asked. “How?”
Jennifer said, “I’ll tell you later. We’ll diagram your sentences for rudeness factor. You also have to ask Harlan about staying in the house. That wasn’t our deal. Harlan, please be honest.”
“Excuse me,” Harlan said, “but that was my suggestion, remember?”
“Ha,” Dyma said. “I’ll bet I wasn’t the one you wanted over here, though.” She took a seat and bounced in an experimental fashion. “This couch is very strange. I feel like it should recline, at least. Surely something with this much leather on it, that I’ll bet was custom made, because who else would want it, should be more comfortable. Cows died forthis?”
“Yep,” Harlan said. “Exactly.”
“The chairs in the theater recline,” Annabelle said.
“Excuse me,” Dyma said. “Thetheater?”
“Every NFL player has that,” Annabelle said. “And a gym, too. I’ll bet you anything Owen has a theater. I’ll bet you his gym is bigger than the one here, too, because he’s a lineman. Also that he has a pool table and probably a whole game room. Thereisa pool here, though. Anindoorpool, but it feels like it’s outside, because glass. Want to go swimming? It’s so cool that you’re here,” she burst out impulsively. “It’s going to be so much better. It’s supposed to be the offseason, but Harlan does all this volunteering, and then he reads and runs and works out and cooks and watches sports, in this routine that’s almost exactly the same every day. It’s better here than home,” she hastened to add. “It’ssomuch better. But I’m really glad you’re here.”
Her voice trembled a little on the last sentence. Of course she was lonely. Of course she was.
“I totally want to go swimming,” Dyma said. “That was a long, boring drive. You owe me, Mom.”
“Boring, huh?” Harlan asked. “Didn’t hang your legs out the car windows? Didn’t wave at any passing semis? Didn’t flash anybody?”
“Excuse me,” Dyma said. “I’m a safe driver. And I have a boyfriend. I’m not flashing some random trucker. So what do you think? Will having Annabelle and me here be way too much actual, dangerous fun? We could go live in the other place, I guess, and you and Mom could stay here. Quieter for you, but then we can’t try out all the appliances and rearrange your kitchen cabinets, because they’re set up pretty inefficiently now, and hog the theater. That would be a downside.”
Jennifer said, “None of that is happening. I’m living in the apartment, and I think you should, too. Also, they’re not your kitchen cabinets, miss. If you want to rearrange something, get your own place.”
“Nope,” Harlan said. “As far as I’m concerned, go on and unpack your stuff into that guest room. I guess I can put up with a little noise. It’s a big house. As for my cabinets—hey, arrange away. I’m all about the beauty of change.”
“‘If you realize that all things change,” Dyma said, “there is nothing you will try to hold on to.’ Also, ‘Cultivate peace and order before confusion and disorder have set in.’ Which would be your cabinets. Lao Tzu,” she told Annabelle, who looked impressed.
“Yeah,” Harlan said. “Well, maybe not all the way, on the change part. There are some things that are worth holding on to, I’ve decided. And, hey, Jennifer—want to come for a walk with me?”
* * *
Hehadkissedher on the cheek last night, after they’d gotten back from that dinner. When she’d been wearing that pretty green dress with all those tiny fabric-covered buttons, and he’d ridden up in the elevator with her and seen her breasts rising and falling with what he hoped was anticipation. Excitement. The subsonic rumble of that thunder coming closer, raising the hair at the back of your neck, leaving you holding your breath and waiting for that flash of lightning.
When they’d got to her door, he’d kissed her on the cheek, and when she’d sighed and put her hand on his shoulder—well, hell, of course he’d kissed her on the mouth. And then he’d kissed her some more. Right there in that hotel hallway, until she was up against the door and his tongue was in her mouth, and all he wanted was to unbutton those buttons, nice and slow. Preferably while she was on her back, though he’d take it standing up, too. Oh, yeah. He could do that. What was it about undressing Jennifer that was so incredibly hot? It let you slow things down, that was what, and appreciate what you were uncovering. And the way she’d hold her breath while you did it, the surprised little noise she’d make when her dress fell away …
Well, yeah. She made him want to take histime.
“He can do things with his tongue that you can onlydreamabout,” she’d told the asshole. “He’s gotpositions.”What had he shown her so far? Not nearly enough. He had a list, and he wanted to get started on it. Right the hell now.
Thedingof the elevator button penetrated, finally, and he stood back half a pace and fought to get himself back under control. He still had hold of her waist, though. She was pressed up against the door, one hand flung up by her head, her eyes half-closed and her hair all messed up, breathing hard. He said, wanting to laugh but also not wanting to laugh at all, “If you keep on looking like that, baby, they’re going to think you need help.”
“I … do need help,” she said. “Clearly.” She put her arm down, though. Straightened her dress. Tried for composure. “Right. Dating.” It was an attempt at brisk, and it absolutely failed. “So I’ll … just go in now. After our, uh, good-night kiss.”
