Page 48 of Another Damned Storm

When I was spent, my legs on the verge of trembling, I hauled her to her feet, pressed her to the wall and kissed her deep and slow, savoring our mingled flavors.

After several languid minutes, Never broke the kiss with a hand pressed to my chest. Her expression was a perfect mirror for the mix of satisfaction, vulnerability, and passion filling me up inside. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

I bracketed her face in my hands, using my thumbs to gently wipe away the remnants of her tears. “Always.” For any sin.

17

NEVER

Well, that didn’t go quite the way I thought it would. Not that I was complaining. It was easily the hottest blowjob I’d ever given, though at some point it turned from me giving to Hook taking, and I didn’t want to think about why that shift of control was so fucking panty drenching.

To be fair, I’d grabbed his hair and shoved his head between my legs plenty of times. Memories of those moments flashed in my mind, cranking up the dial on my desire.

He eased back with a groan, leveling me with a tortured look that brought a devilish smile to my face. “You said we needed to talk. Is it safe to assume that wasn’t the conversation you were referring to?”

“That was part of it.”

His eyes searched mine before he pressed away from the wall. “And the other part?” he asked, zipping up his pants.

Down to business then. “Things are seriously wrong here.”

“So I gathered.”

“I don’t just mean the demons or the storms. Or the fact that they apparently show up at the same time.”

Hook quirked his head to the side. “The demons comewiththe storms? Are you certain?”

“According to Matt. Then there’s the park. That’s where the demons come through, and everything inside that fence is dead or dying. And the way time seems to have taken a gigantic fucking leap forward here. I know you told me that wasn’t weird, but my gut says otherwise. And Lily is here in Charleston too, but she and Matty are on opposite sides of that same creepy ass park.”

Okay, so maybe I was reaching with that one. A lot could happen in twenty-six years. Friendships, marriages—hell, entire families—could fall apart in less time. Plus, it wasn’t like they didn’t talk.

But still. This was Lily we were talking about.

Hook eyed me. “What else?”

“Isn’t that enough?” It sure as shit was for me.

“I think you’re leaving something out. About the demons?” he asked patiently.

Oh. That.

I licked my lips. May as well put it all out there. “I don’t think they want to be here.”

“What gives you that impression?”

“It was just the vibe I got when I looked at a couple of them.”

“Another gut feeling?” he asked, but there was no judgment in the question.

“Yeah.” That was close enough.

His hand slid down his hip and he looked down. Irritation flitted across his face before he shoved his hand in his pocket. “I have a few questions of my own. Did you know you would be able to leave the Alius once you were there?”

I tipped my head back and stared at the nasty ceiling. “Not really.” It came back to having a feeling. And a whole fucking bushel of hope.

“How did you do it?”

“I was on the run from an army of demons, and I focused all my energy on my brother. This is where I wound up.” I spread my arms out wide. “Well, in the park. Quid pro quo, pirate. How the hell did you get here?”