Page 10 of His Reward
It feels intimate.We’re standing close, and we’re alone again, somewhat secluded in this spot on the balcony.As if he detects the inappropriate energy between us, he abruptly releases my hand.
“Thank you for rescuing me again, Mal,” I say softly.
I move on instinct, wanting to show my appreciation.Even in heels, I have to raise myself to kiss his cheek.The short hair dusting his jaw are soft, tiny needles on my lips.I barely resist breathing in his pleasant scent like a weirdo.
When I pull away, Malcolm is still, his gaze locked on me.I’m frozen too.My innocent kiss might have been a mistake.This feels like that charged moment we shared before we left for the party, and I don’t think I’m imagining it this time.He looks like he wants to devour me.
His expression changes, becoming closed-off.
“You’re not safe out here by yourself.”There’s an edge to his chilly voice.“Let’s go back inside.”
Malcolm walks behind me as we return to the party.His stare is palpable.Unnerving.And I wonder if his warning was referring to Tyler or himself.
6
Malcolm
A history podcast plays on my phone, the host and his partner discussing the life of a Roman emperor who became a human footstool.
I’m not that interested in the topic, but their lively voices fill the silence while I remove old strips of silicone from the porch window.
It’s the first of three I’m going to reseal, and it’ll take me hours to do this unpaid job that wasn’t even requested.Good news, Paul’s heating bill will be lower this winter.Bad news, I’m doing this to distract myself from indecent thoughts about his daughter.
Busy hands, busy mind, and if you can’t fix one problem, fix a different one.
My plan quickly unravels when I spot the source of my problem through the window.I tried so hard not to think of the devil, but she appeared anyway.
No, it’s not fair to call June that.It’s not true either.She’s a beautiful angel with a good soul.It’s projection.I’mthe devil.Whenever she looks at me like I hung the moon, I want to pull her down into the darkness and defile her.
But villainizing her is my last ditch attempt to curb the fucked up feelings I have for her.If I pretend her sweet nature is a ruse, and she’s secretly a devious creature out to get me in trouble, it might be easier to suppress my lust for her.
June catches my stare and smiles, then strides through the living room.The front door opens and she steps out onto the porch.She looks like the sun and sea in her yellow tank top and light blue shorts.
So much glistening brown skin exposed.
Definitely no bra under that top with the way her tits bounce on every step.
And those pretty little toes are calling to me again.
God fucking help me.
“Hey, Mal.What are you doing?”
Yeah, Mal.What thefuckare you doing?What the fuck are you thinking?She’s.Fucking.Off-limits.
“There’s a draft coming in through these windows.I’m going to caulk them.”
She snickers, amusement gleaming in her eyes.
“What’s so funny?”I ask.
“I hope the windows consented to thecaulking.”
I smile, the words slipping out of me before I can stop myself.
“Of course.They love it when their holes are filled with white stuff.”
Her eyes widen, her lips parted in shock, then she laughs.My smile deepens.That joke was way over the line to share with her, but I love that she has a naughty sense of humour.
