Page 5
Story: Devil's Lair
“Sit. Eat. We talk after.”
“…he’s a freaking case study in Neanderthalism…,” she muttered under her breath.
My fingers tapped on the table as I finished chewing my steak. “This is a small part of an even smaller down. Grant’s Pass, Oregon isn’t exactly a a hotspot on Google Maps. How did she end up here?”
“My sister?” She squeaked.
I nodded, “Who else?”
“Rose is a romantic who has big dreams. She only sees the good in people. She’s a teacher like me, and wanted the two of us to drive cross counter over our summer break. She mapped out all the Parks and wanted to dip her barefoot in the Pacific Ocean…,” she broke off as her eyes teared up.
“Shit,” I muttered, offering her a clean napkin to dab her eyes with.
“Thanks,” her lower lip quivered as she paused to dab at her eyes. Something primitive and deep started churning inside me. I wanted to plunder this girl. Taker her sweetness to lighten my bitterness. I wanted to explore her body and make it tremble. But I also wanted to protect her. Shield her…. I’d be the only one to bring her tears of pain and pleasure.
She startled at the growl coming from my throat as thoughts and visions of what I wanted from her filled my head.
“What’s your name?”
“Kennedy.”
“That’s a man’s name.”
“It’s the one my mother gave me.”
“Hmm,” I sat back, already knowing I’d give her a new name when she was all mine. “Why did your sister stop here when Grant’s Pass is forty-five minutes in the wrong direction?”
“She wanted to see Devil’s Falls. The last time I spoke with her she was going to hike the trail to the waterfalls and then continue on.”
I shook my head. “Devil’s Falls is dangerous. Most beautiful things are.”
“So, have you seen Rose? Can you help me? Please?” She pleaded with soft eyes.
If she only knew she was asking a devil for help.
“I don’t help people, sweetheart. It’s not in my nature.”
“Then why are you here?”
I took my time, blotting my mouth with a napkin, took out a hundred dollar bill and slid it under the napkin holder. “For you. She’s already gone. But you’re still here and if you aren’t careful… you could disappear as well.”
“Is that a threat?” Her spine straightened as her chin lifted.
“No, sugar. It’s a warning. When you go back to your room tonight… prop a chair under the door handle. Keep your car keysclose and if you need… press the panic button on the fob. Be smart. Watch your back.”
“I-I don’t understand. Why would anyone want to take me?”
I paused as I stood, let my pale-blue eyes drift from her face down to her chest and thighs before leisurely roaming back up her body.
“There’s a thousand reasons why and I just thought of at least two dozens things I’d do to you tonight alone.”
I didn’t miss the wild pulse in her throat or the way her nipples tightened under her cheap, cotton T-shirt. This little bird was gone be all mine. Come hell or high-water.
“You’re sick. Deranged.”
“Am I?” My brow rose as I leaned over the table a breath away from her. “Or are you just mad as hell that my words made you want to c0me five ways from Sunday.”
“Hardly,” she hmpffed as her arms crossed over her chest.
“…he’s a freaking case study in Neanderthalism…,” she muttered under her breath.
My fingers tapped on the table as I finished chewing my steak. “This is a small part of an even smaller down. Grant’s Pass, Oregon isn’t exactly a a hotspot on Google Maps. How did she end up here?”
“My sister?” She squeaked.
I nodded, “Who else?”
“Rose is a romantic who has big dreams. She only sees the good in people. She’s a teacher like me, and wanted the two of us to drive cross counter over our summer break. She mapped out all the Parks and wanted to dip her barefoot in the Pacific Ocean…,” she broke off as her eyes teared up.
“Shit,” I muttered, offering her a clean napkin to dab her eyes with.
“Thanks,” her lower lip quivered as she paused to dab at her eyes. Something primitive and deep started churning inside me. I wanted to plunder this girl. Taker her sweetness to lighten my bitterness. I wanted to explore her body and make it tremble. But I also wanted to protect her. Shield her…. I’d be the only one to bring her tears of pain and pleasure.
She startled at the growl coming from my throat as thoughts and visions of what I wanted from her filled my head.
“What’s your name?”
“Kennedy.”
“That’s a man’s name.”
“It’s the one my mother gave me.”
“Hmm,” I sat back, already knowing I’d give her a new name when she was all mine. “Why did your sister stop here when Grant’s Pass is forty-five minutes in the wrong direction?”
“She wanted to see Devil’s Falls. The last time I spoke with her she was going to hike the trail to the waterfalls and then continue on.”
I shook my head. “Devil’s Falls is dangerous. Most beautiful things are.”
“So, have you seen Rose? Can you help me? Please?” She pleaded with soft eyes.
If she only knew she was asking a devil for help.
“I don’t help people, sweetheart. It’s not in my nature.”
“Then why are you here?”
I took my time, blotting my mouth with a napkin, took out a hundred dollar bill and slid it under the napkin holder. “For you. She’s already gone. But you’re still here and if you aren’t careful… you could disappear as well.”
“Is that a threat?” Her spine straightened as her chin lifted.
“No, sugar. It’s a warning. When you go back to your room tonight… prop a chair under the door handle. Keep your car keysclose and if you need… press the panic button on the fob. Be smart. Watch your back.”
“I-I don’t understand. Why would anyone want to take me?”
I paused as I stood, let my pale-blue eyes drift from her face down to her chest and thighs before leisurely roaming back up her body.
“There’s a thousand reasons why and I just thought of at least two dozens things I’d do to you tonight alone.”
I didn’t miss the wild pulse in her throat or the way her nipples tightened under her cheap, cotton T-shirt. This little bird was gone be all mine. Come hell or high-water.
“You’re sick. Deranged.”
“Am I?” My brow rose as I leaned over the table a breath away from her. “Or are you just mad as hell that my words made you want to c0me five ways from Sunday.”
“Hardly,” she hmpffed as her arms crossed over her chest.