Chapter Six


    Devilish Dealings


    Kara


    A soft tapping pulled me from my slumber. Not ready to wake, I rolled over, burying myself under the blanket and ignoring the noise. Sleep welcomed me back as soon as my eyes closed, only to be forced open again by a loud knocking.


    “What?” I groaned, realizing someone was at my door. It suddenly opened, causing me to throw the covers back and roll over to face the door in irritation.


    Devlin stood leaning in the doorway wearing a dark grey pinstriped suit and a sinister grin as his eyes raked over me. The way he looked at me made me suddenly wonder if I was naked. Glancing down, I sighed with relief, thankful I was still wearing yesterday’s outfit. Looking back at him, the memory of all my so-called friends and their betrayal made me scowl.


    “Why are you here?” I greeted him acidly, pulling the covers over my head in frustration.


    “No need to get cranky. Ravyn is taking you shopping, a sort of peace offering, I believe,” he said with a chuckle.


    Throwing the covers off again, I quickly sat up looking at the now empty doorway.


    “You know. . .” His voice came from my bedside, causing me to squeal in surprise.


    Covering my mouth, I tried to slow my racing heart as I glared at him. “Jesus, Devlin!” I breathed just before Ravyn burst into the room, fully dressed and armed.


    She looked around the room; seeing everything was fine, her eyes settled on me. “Are you all right?” she asked.


    “I’m fine. What is it you were going to say, Devlin?” I said, turning my attention back to him.


    “She is quite overprotective of you.” He smiled with brows raised, then bowed before leaving my room.


    Sliding out of bed, I approached Ravyn. “I have clothes at home, Ravyn. We don’t have to go shopping.”


    “Your house is being watched. You can’t go back,” she replied calmly.


    Turning to hide my frustration, I grabbed my heels from the floor and decided to push her buttons as I slipped them on. “Why don’t you just kill them too?”


    “Soon enough. But they are not the ones I’m worried about at the moment.” Her response wasn’t exactly what I expected.


    “I don’t have money,” I retorted, as I walked past her.


    “I have enough,” she said, joining me on my walk down the stairs.


    Entering the kitchen to find the people I thought were my friends sitting around the table did nothing to ease my already crappy mood. Lilith, Remy, Devlin, Nebiros, and my mom all turned to look at me in unison. Feeling like an ugly toad in a room full of gorgeous people pushed my mood further down the ladder.


    The mixture of vibrations, buzzing, and pulsing emanating from the room made my head spin. Ravyn’s hand gently pressed against my back, steadying me as I wobbled a bit. The tiny pleasurable buzz traveled under my skin as soon as she made contact. Quickly batting her hand away, I glared at the faces in the room.


    “You’re all like Ravyn?” I said, finally making sense of the disturbance in the air when I was around them.


    “No, no, dear. Ravyn is very different. I am a full-blood. Ravyn here is what I call a baby demon,” Devlin joked, getting a snicker from Lilith and Nebiros, though Remy stayed very quiet.


    I smiled, though willing myself not to laugh. I liked his choice of words, but Ravyn wasn’t pleased, and my smile faded as quickly as it came.


    Putting the puzzle together in my head, I focused while I walked slowly around the table trying to separate the feeling each one created. I succeeded, though I was now more confused since they were all so different. Devlin and Nebiros were the only two that were similar. But it was Ravyn who threw me for a loop. Unlike anyone else, she seemed to affect the air in multiple ways.


    A loud rumble from my belly caused all the demons in the room to look at me funny. Feeling my cheeks flush, I silently cursed my stupid stomach.


    “Did you guys eat breakfast?” I asked, breaking the sudden silence.


    “We can stop on the way,” Ravyn replied.


    “You don’t have to do that, Ravyn. I can just eat a bowl of cereal or something,” I urged. I was already wondering how I was going to buy anything without money, seeing how I had left my purse at home last night.


    “I don’t have cereal, Kara. Now let’s go,” she said as she pulled her coat on.


    Not satisfied, I headed to the fridge to find a quick bite, pulling it open only to find it was almost empty. Two cans of coffee, a pint of cream, and three bottles of wine were all that sat in the fridge. Not a single bite of food. I checked the freezer only to find it empty. I turned to look at Ravyn, the questions clearly written on my face. She approached quickly, her arm catching my waist. She ushered me to the front door.


    I tried to plant my feet and almost fell over. “Ravyn, I don’t have any money!” I argued fruitlessly. Devlin and Lilith followed at our heels as Ravyn threw the front door open. “I can walk myself!” I snapped, shaking her arm from my waist, drawing a look of sheer amusement as she stopped and motioned me to continue ahead of her.


    I proceeded to march my way down the stairs to the driveway. Looking at the three very expensive cars, not knowing which one to go to, I threw my hands on my hips, tapping my foot impatiently.


    Ravyn’s hand gripped mine as she led me to the same shiny red sports car from last night. Opening the passenger door she gently nudged me in. So pushy! I let her have it via thoughts as I sat in the car. Her laughter was cut short when she slammed my door closed, causing the car to rock.


    I stayed quiet as she drove, too tired and in a shitty mood, which was in no way helped by Ravyn’s sudden pushiness. I was very unhappy with the unexpected visit from my friends and the fact I had no money to shop. Though it was obvious Ravyn had plenty of it, I didn’t like people spending money on me. When they did I always felt like I owed them something in return and right now, I didn’t want to owe her anything.


    She turned into the parking lot of a small diner in the middle of nowhere. I searched the car for the time but found no clock, then realized my cell phone was still in my pocket, so I pulled it out and checked the time. Three-thirty in the afternoon? Holy crap! Here I thought it was still morning.


    Ravyn shut the car off and looked at me. “Are you done pouting?” she scolded.


    “Are you done pushing me around?” I asked. A sexy grin tugged at her lips before she exited the car. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the door handle. The door swung open before I got to it. Ravyn held her hand out, waiting for mine. I reluctantly took it, letting her help me out of the car.


    The restaurant was fairly empty; only two middle-aged men were sitting at the counter. Ravyn chose a booth in the smoking section at the opposite side of the diner. The menus stood in a holder on the table; grabbing one, I flipped it open.


    Ravyn lit a cigarette as the young waitress came to the table. She couldn’t have been over eighteen, and she was way too cute to be working in a place like this. “Hey, girls, can I get y’all something to drink?” the waitress asked, a hint of a southern accent in her voice. Her brown eyes glanced at me before they swallowed Ravyn.


    “Coffee and can I have some cream, please,” I said as her eyes stayed on Ravyn.


    “Same for me,” Ravyn said, giving the girl a wink. The waitress giggled as she flicked her long brown hair from her shoulder before walking away.


    I glared at Ravyn for a moment, then averted my angry eyes to the menu. Finding exactly what I wanted, I pushed it closed and shoved it back in the holder just in time for the waitress to return with our drinks.


    “Ready to order?” she asked, again briefly glancing at me, then raking Ravyn in.


    “Chocolate chip pancakes,” I said, my irritation evident.


    “Nothing for me. Thank you,” Ravyn said, this time staring at me instead of the waitress. The waitress smiled and giggled at Ravyn before going to put our orders in.


    “What is that all about? Lilith and Remy look at you the same way!” I spat out while fixing my coffee. Wondering why I was so concerned about it, I quickly tried to change the subject before she could reply. “I thought the others were coming,” I said, looking up to find Ravyn staring at me. “What?” I asked, running a hand through my hair as if fixing it.


    “Is this the normal hungry, cranky Kara or the pissed-off Kara?” she asked. Obviously she hadn’t forgotten my mood swings.


    “Umm, both. Am I supposed to be happy after finding out what you are? Not to mention finding out my friends knew you all this time and never said anything. Oh, and then there’s that little part about all of my great friends being not so human! And if that’s not enough, I don’t even know why I’m staying with you. You just show up at the same time some bounty hunters do, bounty hunters who you murdered, and I am supposed to be acting chipper about this?” My rant came out in a panicked whisper; I didn’t want anyone to hear our conversation. I was a freaking mess!


    “I’d say you''re taking it rather well.” She shrugged as if to say it was nothing.


    “No, Ravyn. I’m not taking it well. I’m hiding it well! I don’t even know you anymore.” My anger spilled out a little too loud, echoing through the restaurant.


    The young waitress set the massive plate of pancakes in front of me. “Is everything all right?” she asked Ravyn with a smile. The desire in the girl’s eyes was clear as day, making me lose my appetite.


    I pushed the plate back, ready to get out of here. “Can we just go?” As soon as the words escaped, Ravyn’s demeanor changed. She looked very pissed off and the air around us began to pulse. She grabbed the girl’s wrist firmly as their eyes locked. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach as the girl moaned softly.


    “Leave us. Don’t come back until we leave,” Ravyn growled.


    “Uh huh,” the girl oozed before walking away.


    I wanted to cry and scream. Instead, I lashed out, slapping Ravyn across the face. “What the fuck was that?” I yelled. She said nothing; instead she pushed my plate back in front of me. I was way too upset to eat and pushed it back. As I did, her hand caught my wrist, her green eyes searching mine.


    Her touch sent an instant shiver of pleasure through me, stronger than any of her previous contact had caused. My breath caught as I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation, and then it was gone, leaving me feeling like a fool. Staring at her, I tried to understand the message she displayed.


    “Please eat,” she said softly.


    I picked at the oversized pancakes while I recalled my time with Ravyn last night. I felt a similar pleasurable sensation every time she touched me, but this time it was far more intense. I had dismissed it as my long lost crush, but now I knew it was her. The message was power, just another one of her demon abilities I was starting to log in my head. There was so much more I needed to know, but I didn’t really know what to ask first so I kept it vague.


    “So what else should I know about you?” I asked, taking the last bite of pancake I could possibly fit in my overstuffed belly.


    “You should know that I am taking you shopping and I don’t want any arguments about it,” she insisted with a smile as she tossed a fifty on the table.


    “Fine, but we can just go to Marshall’s,” I bargained as I stood.


    “No. I don’t plan on doing this again, so let’s do it right the first time,” she said as we headed for the exit.


    Now that was the Ravyn I knew. “Fine,” I agreed, knowing I wouldn‘t win this argument.


    “Kara.” Ravyn’s voice sounded distant as a wave of tingly pleasure swam through my body while something cold tickled my inner thigh.


    “Mmm,” I purred, before my eyes jerked open at the realization I had just moaned. Finding Ravyn’s hand on my thigh, I quickly batted it away. “Ravyn! Can’t you control that or something?” Feeling the heat rush to my cheeks, I was mortified.


    “Yes. Would you like me too?” She smiled, sending butterflies fluttering in my stomach.


    “Yes, Ravyn. I would,” I pleaded. Noticing we were in a parking garage, I shook my head and let out a sigh. I knew exactly where we were, and it made me want to cry.


    The magnificent 900 North Michigan Shops in downtown Chicago is an extravagant mall to say the least. It is for the rich and extremely rich. This was truly the last place in the world I wanted to shop. “Ravyn, I can’t shop here. It’s too expensi—”


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    “Nonsense, you agreed not to argue,” she said before I could finish, then got out of the car.


    It was then I noticed Devlin and Lilith waiting along with four large men in black suits and a very professional-looking woman.


    My door opened, breaking my gaze only to find Ravyn’s hand waiting for me. I hesitated, wondering if she would control her strange abilities. Only one way to find out, I thought as I let my hand fall into hers, waiting for the pleasurable feeling that accompanied her touch.


    Eyeing her suspiciously, I stepped out of the car feeling her firm cold hand in mine and only a tiny shimmer of tingly pleasure. I smiled. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” My assumption made her laugh as she led me to the others.


    “Ravyn, it’s good to see you again,” the woman greeted us.


    She wore a light grey women’s business suit with a black collared shirt and black stilettos. Her brown hair was pulled back into a bun; black-framed glasses and a pearl necklace and earrings finished off her perfect ensemble. A clipboard overloaded with papers rested on her arm, and the pen was tucked neatly in her hair. She was quite stunning to look at, as were the four well-groomed men behind her.


    Lilith had changed into white leather pants, white stilettos, and a white tank top with DEVLIN’S scrawled in red girly cursive font on the front, directly over her large, perfect boobs. She leaned against Devlin and whispered in his ear, making him smile and nod.


    “Angela, I’d like you to meet Kara.” Ravyn introduced us, pulling my attention back to the beautiful woman.


    Angela looked me up and down, then smiled. “You are just adorable, sweetie,” she said with approval, handing the clipboard to Ravyn, then holding out her hand to shake mine.


    I glanced at Ravyn, searching for approval. She flipped through the papers, ignoring my glance, so I shook Angela’s hand. It was warm and her skin silky soft, but no strange sensations accompanied it. She was obviously not human; the air around her almost bubbled with tiny pulses.


    “Thanks,” I finally replied, unsure if it was a compliment.


    “As requested, each store will be cleared out then closed while you shop. The truck is ready, and your purchases will be delivered at your convenience. Also, background checks on all employees have returned with an all clear,” Angela said, confirming Ravyn’s apparent orders for the shopping trip.


    Which was totally unnecessary! Even more unnecessary was the mid-sized U-Haul truck parked near the elevator and two more guards apparently guarding it!


    “Perfect as always, Angela,” Ravyn said.


    “Great! Shall we get started then?” Angela asked, taking the clipboard back.


    “Wait! Ravyn, a truck? This is so not necessary, I mean a couple of bags will do,” I argued, willingly breaking my agreement with Ravyn. But seriously, a truck full of merchandise from this mall would cost, well, too much to even conceive of.


    Ravyn’s hand settled on the small of my back, her touch immediately sending the unwanted waves of tingly pleasure through me, causing me to visibly shudder, but this time I clamped my moan down, unwilling to let it escape. The feeling was much stronger than it previously had been; it made me want every bit of her. Before I could act on my almost uncontrollable urge to jump on Ravyn, soft giggles from Lilith and Angela brought my senses back, thankfully forcing me to step away from Ravyn’s contact.


    “Jesus, Ravyn! I swear to God if you do that one more time!” I didn’t finish my threat. How do you threaten a demon? Yes, I’m a witch, but would my craft even work on her? Hmm, guess I’d find out.


    “Let’s go shopping then,” Ravyn replied with a confident, sexy grin.


    “Fine.” I gave in, realizing how much she loved using her disgustingly wonderful touch on me. I vowed to find a way to block her new ability as we all piled into the elevator.


    “I’m so excited! This is going to be so much fun!” Lilith exclaimed like a giddy child as we arrived on the first floor.


    I couldn’t share her excitement as I glanced around to find MaxMara, Michael Kors, Bloomingdales, which was six floors, and Gucci, just to name a few on the first floor. I was used to shopping at Marshall’s, Kohl’s, and Maurice’s. This was way out of my league.


    Lilith grabbed my hand and pulled me toward Michael Kors. The four men in black suits quickly went ahead with Angela and began clearing out the other shoppers.


    “Come on, Kara, relax and have some fun. This is every girl’s dream so live it up. Oh, and don’t worry, I am going to make you look like a goddess,” Lilith practically sang as we got the okay to enter the store.


    I searched for the tag on a pair of black skinny jeans when I first walked in. Seven hundred and ninety-five dollars! I did a one-eighty, trying to exit the store before the gate closed. Angela suddenly blocked my escape route. I thought she was by the counter?


    “Let me guess. You’re a demon too?” I glared at her.


    “Sweetie, Ravyn has plenty of money so don’t be shy about spending it,” Angela urged, ignoring my question.


    “Don’t change the subject. Are you one of them?” I accused, as if demons were a disease or something. Truth is, they were turning out to be not so bad, except they all seemed to be scary fast.


    “Sweetie, you seem to attract our kind.” Angela’s words hit home.


    “I do,” I gasped as the reality of the situation sank in. My heart began to race and the store started to spin, my breathing suddenly short and fast. I was hyperventilating. Yes, witches can hyperventilate, and I was no stranger to it.


    Stumbling back, I reached out, trying to catch myself on one of the clothing racks. Instead, I ended up with a handful of very expensive sweaters that I yanked off the hangers. I backed into something hard and cool, yet soft at the same time. An arm wrapped around my midsection, holding me as the strange sensation pressed at my back.


    “I gotcha,” Ravyn’s voice soothed against my ear as I fought to breathe. Her other hand fell lightly against my chest, over my heart. “Just breathe. Nice and slow,” she whispered. I felt her chest slowly rise and fall against my back.


    I tried to mimic her breathing. There was no pleasurable sensation that usually accompanied her touch; this time it was simply relief for her being here with me. My relief came with something else that I hadn’t expected. I felt like I belonged here in her arms, and I never wanted to leave. Suddenly it didn’t matter what she was. The way she held me and soothed my anxiety away as she always had reminded me that she was still the Ravyn I knew and loved.


    I relaxed in her arms as my breathing slowed.


    “Better?”


    I could feel her smile against my cheek. “Much,” I said, still leaning against her, unwilling to break the contact.


    “Good. Let’s try to enjoy the rest of the day, shall we?” she urged as she released her hold on me.


    Turning to face her, I looked up into her perfect green eyes. “I don’t hate you for leaving Ravyn. I understand now. Please promise me you won’t leave again. You don’t have to now that I know.” My words were unexpected, but I did understand. I also understood I couldn’t handle her leaving me again. She was my strength, my light, and my soul. She was the only one who ever made me happy; she was my life.


    “I don’t make promises, Kara, so let’s just take this one day at a time.” Her answer wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it was good enough.


    Angela cleared her throat loudly, startling me. I had almost forgotten we were in the store surrounded by our demon friends, who were all staring at the two of us. They didn’t seem so bad now that I understood Ravyn was still the same good-hearted friend I remembered.


    “Before we do this I have to know how much money you have, Ravyn. Give me a budget or something,” I said. It wasn’t that I wanted her to spend money on me, but I would feel better about spending it if I had a limit.


    Ravyn laughed while she flipped through the racks of clothing, pulling out a couple of shirts she knew I would love and handing them to me with a smile. “Try these on.” Taking them I raised my brows, waiting for her to answer my question. “Still stubborn, still biting your nails, still hyperventilating, and still a knockout. Anything new I am missing?” she said playfully, ignoring my question again.


    Two could definitely play this game. I grinned, welcoming our old banter. “Still a softie under that hard shell, but now you’re a baby demon, a detective, very rich, insanely fast with a super creepy touch, and sexy as all get out. Anything else I should know?” I said proudly, thinking I had won her little challenge.


    Laughter filled the store as Ravyn suddenly closed the gap between us. Her lips curled into a sexy playful smile, so close to mine I thought she was going to kiss me. I almost wanted her to, with the sudden yearning to know what she would taste like. My body tensed, fighting my urge to claim her perfect lips and run my hands through her hair. Instead, I just stood there wondering if she was making me feel like this.


    “Rich is an understatement. I have enough money to buy this building and everything in it. Does that satisfy your question?”


    “Okay,” I replied, finding it hard to focus with her so close.


    “Good, now try those on and stop worrying about the money,” she said as she stepped back, motioning to the dressing room.


    What the hell was wrong with me? I berated myself as I tried on the white cashmere turtleneck. I wanted to ask Ravyn if she was intentionally making me feel this way, but I couldn’t. What if she wasn’t? What if it was me? Was I attracted to her? I gasped loudly as the scary realization crossed my mind and as I caught my reflection in the mirror. The shirt fit my body perfectly. It was beautiful, and it made me feel like I was beautiful.


    Trying on the next one, which was a simple green long-sleeved scoop neck, I felt like myself, but somehow more confident. My thoughts came back as I stared in the mirror. I had never been in a relationship, never had sex. I had kissed a few boys in high school but never wanted anything further. And then there was Ravyn, our friendship, constant flirting, and my broken heart when she left. I always thought it was just the loss of my best friend. But now I wondered if it was something else.


    “Kara? You okay in there?” Lilith knocked on the door.


    Shaking my crazy thoughts from my mind, I opened the door. “What do you think?” I asked.


    “I love it. It makes your eyes pop!” she complimented.


    “Can I wear this out? It''s chilly in here,” I asked Angela, who was standing next to Ravyn, both of them eyeing me like I was dinner.


    “Of course. And what about the other one?” Angela asked, leaving her clipboard with Ravyn as she approached me.


    “It’s beautiful,” I replied, watching Angela remove the price tag from the shirt I was wearing.


    “Good. How about some pants, since you’re cold?” she suggested.


    “Not here. I’ll need some different shoes anyway.”


    Angela collected the receipt for my two new shirts, while one of the men in the black suits collected my bag. We headed to Bloomingdale’s to find some shoes and jeans. And find them I did, along with lots of other unnecessary items. Now wearing a pair of True Religion jeans and Puma sneakers, I was ready to tackle the massive mall.


    Going from store to store, my shyness about spending Ravyn’s money quickly faded as my purchases increased. I felt like a queen surrounded by my royal demon guard. I was having fun and quickly fell back into the normal rhythm of laughter with my friends. I was beginning to feel oddly comfortable with the demons, but then again I always had felt comfortable at Devlin’s club, I just didn’t know what they were at the time.


    I kept my own abilities to myself as I learned about Lilith and Devlin’s true nature. Lilith being a goddess came as no surprise; after all, she did look like one. Devlin was very old and a pure demon. I wished Remy had come because an apology was definitely in order for my friend. Devlin told me she had to work and that I would see her soon enough.


    As the night went on, Ravyn and Angela seemed to keep their distance. They were talking and watching as I shopped and joked with my friends. I didn’t like how they distanced themselves, nor did I like how they looked at each other. I also noticed it wasn’t just Angela who looked so longingly at Ravyn; everyone did. I instantly wondered if I looked at her the same way, so I did the logical thing. I asked Devlin about it.


    “Hey, Devlin, can I ask you something?” I whispered while I scanned the racks of DEKA Chicago.


    “Of course,” he whispered, playing to my secretive tone.


    “Why does everyone look at Ravyn like they, like they…”


    “Like they want her?” he finished for me, as I couldn’t quite spit the words out myself.


    “Yeah.”


    “Do you want the honest answer, my dear, or the easy answer?” His question instantly made my stomach feel like a knotted pretzel.


    “Truth,” I answered bravely, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear it. Devlin smiled at my lack of fear, or maybe it was my stupidity. I wasn’t quite sure.


    “We all know what Ravyn has to offer. We have had a taste, and now we want more. Even more so now that we cannot have it,” he explained.


    My heart dropped. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, didn’t want to believe it. “Wait. Are you talking about what I think you’re talking about?” My whisper carried my obvious anger.


    “Sex, my dear. Though I have a difficult ti—”


    I threw my hand up in his face, stopping him from finishing his sentence. My knees felt weak as the nausea bubbled in my belly. Sex! My mind screamed.


    “My dear, please do not take it personally. It is very much in our nature. We are very sexual creatures,” he continued, wriggling his brows at me. It worked. A smile tugged at my lips and my laughter spilled over. “That’s better. Now, may I ask you a question?” Devlin looked down at me, his gentle smile erasing my nausea. I shrugged.


    “Depends on what it is.”


    “Very well. Why do you look at her the same way we do?” His question shocked me.


    Holy crap, I am looking at her like that! “Am I?” I asked, my eyes wide.


    “Yes.” His eyes studied me.


    I glanced at Ravyn to find her watching us very closely. I needed answers and didn’t think Ravyn would ever give them to me, so I turned back to Devlin. “I thought she was making me feel like this? Is she? Is there something wrong with me Devlin?”


    “No, no, and no. My dear, you are attracted to her,” he replied.


    “What!” I shook my head as my brow furrowed.


    “Why are you ashamed? It is very natural, my dear,” he tried to assure me.


    It wasn’t natural at all. She was my friend, nothing more! “This is ridiculous!” I snapped.


    “Is it? Look at what she is doing for you. How she watches you, always protecting you. The way she soothed you earlier. Ravyn has never done this for anyone, and now here you stand with her wrapped around your little finger. You can continue to discount your feelings, my dear. I know Ravyn, she gets what she wants. Like it or not, she wants you.” Devlin’s matter-of-fact speech had me taken aback.


    “That is not what I want! I only want my friend back!” I whispered my defense.


    “Then by all means, go and get her,” he chuckled.


    Damn demons and their constant challenges! I wasn’t about to back down, so I strode proudly over to Ravyn, hooking my arm around hers and pulling her into the dressing room. I hadn’t really thought this out, but I needed to talk in private and behind closed doors was good enough for me. Plopping down on the bench with a loud huff, I folded my arms angrily across my chest. She just stared at me inquisitively.


    “Is there anyone in this place you haven’t slept with?” I blurted out my spiteful words before I could stop myself.


    “Is that what you two were talking about? Why does it matter?” she replied, her tone full of amusement.


    “It doesn’t. Why are you here? What the hell am I doing spending so much of your money? I need answers, Ravyn. I can’t go home. I’m suddenly living with you. Why?” I rambled, eager to get off the sex topic.


    “You need to know this now? Here?” she asked as she sat next to me on the small bench.


    “Yes, Ravyn, I do,” I answered, scooting against the wall to avoid her leg touching mine.


    “Does this have anything to do with my sex life?”


    “No! It’s just disturbing!” I barked, wishing I hadn’t mentioned it at all, but I was jealous. Ravyn pulled out a cigarette. “You can’t smoke in here!” I warned.


    “Who’s going to stop me?” She smiled.


    “Ugh! Whatever. Just answer my questions.” My impatience was growing.


    “Kara, please, can’t you just enjoy shopping?”


    “No, Ravyn, I can’t! Why can’t you just be honest with me?” I sighed. It was hard to be angry with her, even harder when she was sitting so close to me.


    “I was honest with you last night and it got me nowhere.” The disappointment in her voice was clear as day.


    It caught my attention as I stared at her beautiful pale skin. “I…I wanted to stop you. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t find the words, Ravyn. What was I supposed to say? It’s not like it was just some casual conversation,” I reminded her, my voice barely a whisper. I also thought I took the news fairly well.


    She took a long drag from her cigarette, holding the smoke in along with her thoughts for what seemed an unnaturally long time. I didn’t smoke nor did I care for the smell, but somehow it fit Ravyn. It fit her dark, sexy persona to a T.


    Finally she exhaled, blowing three perfect rings of smoke into the air. I had never seen anyone do that in real life. In fact, I had only seen it in movies, and it made me wonder if there was anything she couldn’t do.


    “Kara?” The sound of Ravyn’s soft raspy voice pulled my eyes back to hers.


    “Hmm,” I responded as I realized her hand was resting on my leg, her fingers gently massaging my thigh.


    “Enjoy this day, for you will not get it again.”


    The finality in her words shocked me, as if it were written in stone that I would never shop again. I quickly pushed it aside, placing her statement on the ever-growing list of questions in my mind. “But I have questions,” I retorted, trying desperately to ignore the feel of her hand on my thigh.


    “And I will answer them, but not here.” Her tone was firm, like she was commanding me to drop it.


    “Tonight then?” I asked, but it sounded more like a plea.


    “Very well.” She stood, removing her touch.


    I suddenly felt cold and empty, which was weird since her hands were ice cold. “Deal. But you can’t run off again, no matter what I ask,” I bargained.


    An amused smile spread across her lips, confident as always. She crouched in front of me, her lips almost touching mine while her eyes stared into my soul. “Nor may you run off, no matter what the answer.” Her response sent a stream of worry into my gut.


    I wanted to back out like I had last night, then I remembered it did no good. So I held my ground, pushing her back from my space as I stood, looking into her beautiful jade-green eyes, almost losing my thoughts as my heart melted.


    “Deal,” I said in defiance of her challenge as I stuck out my fist, my pinky sticking up. Her laughter at my gesture filled my memories. I missed that wonderful laugh so much. “Pinky swear,” I said, waiting for her to agree. When her pinky wrapped around mine, a surge of power sprinkled with pleasure poured through me. I felt like I had just made a deal with the devil.