Page 47 of Reap the Night
“Makes great coffee,” Merry said. “Do you want some?”
He caught me looking and quickly dropped his hand.
He was wearing long sleeves again.
“Do we have time?” Ariella asked me.
“Sure. Merry, can you make her a cup? I need to speak to Ordell in private for a moment.”
“Is everything all right?” Ariella asked.
“Peachy. I’ll be right back.”
I grabbed Ordell’s hand and led him out into the hall. “What’s that?” I pointed to his collar.
“A shirt,” he said,
I rolled my eyes. “Under the shirt, smartass.”
“Oh, that. I have a rash.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Let me see it.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s disgusting.”
“Dammit, Ordell, I caught a glimpse, and it does not look like a rash.”
“Seriously, Orina, it’s nothing to be worried about. It’s a curse thing. A beast thing, and it’ll pass. Trust me.”
I searched his face, waiting for the alarm bells inside me to quieten, but they didn’t. “Ordell, please don’t lie to me.”
He cupped my face and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I won’t. I’m not.”
I leaned in and wrapped my arms around him, and he dropped his chin onto the top of my head, the embrace natural and fluid as if we’d done it so many times before.
“I miss you.” I hadn’t meant to say it, but it was out now.
His chest vibrated on a rumble. “I miss you too, angel.”
My eyes pricked because it had been too long since he’d called me that.
The bell above the door tinkled, and we broke apart. Holly entered carrying bags of lunch. She stopped short at the sight of Ordell. “You staying for lunch? There’s plenty.”
Ordell looked to me, and I shrugged. “You want to?”
“I’d like that.”
We followed Holly into reception, where she placed the bags on the counter. “Come and get it, guys!”
Edwin was first out of the office, followed by Padma, Merry, and finally Ariella, clutching a mug of freshly made coffee.
“Oh, another guest,” Holly said. “We have…plenty…” She blinked sharply and ducked her head. “Dammit, there’s something in my eye. Ouch!” She covered her eye. “Orina, can you help me get it out?”
“Um…sure.” I followed her down the hall to the washroom.
