Page 91 of The Curse Trilogy

“Yes, Ms. Crush?” she asks with bemusement and a slightly fearful tone.

“My name is Araya, not Area,” I retort, and her lips tighten in regret for her earlier snarky comment.

“Of course. My apologies,” she says with embarrassment, and then she ducks inside to hide her blushing cheeks.

I roll my eyes, and then I slump down against a rock as I begin studying the pictures more.

“I’ll help you,” Brazen murmurs as he sits down beside me.

“I really don’t know what I’m looking for, so I don’t know how you can help,” I mumble while focusing intently on the ghastly photos from the wall and city cameras.

“No one does. That’s why we’re looking,” he says softly while taking one from my hand.

Alex steps out of the RV to pick up a bag she left behind, and her eyes catch Brazen’s perfect body propped up beside mine. He gives her a half glance, and she winks at him before blushing again for new reasons. She disappears back into the moving house, and I roll my eyes inwardly.

“Do you know Alex?” I murmur curiously, trying to mask my jealously.

He smirks a little, and then he shrugs.

“A little. Not really my type,” he says with a flirty tone.

I stifle a grin, and then I roll my eyes for him to see this time.

“That’s not what I was asking,” I mumble.

“Yes it was. You just didn’t want to be blunt about it because you’re with someone… for now,” he suggestively rattles out.

“Anyways, maybe they need blood from a full blood like you need blood from a human. Maybe that’s why they didn’t attack a human colony instead,” I say to distract him.

“It’s possible, and I can’t believe I’m saying that. It feels like we need to start thinking anything is possible with these people though,” he says with more seriousness. “I never got to tell you how incredible you were during the interrogation. It’s been a while since I got to see you in action. It’s pretty fucking hot, especially when I become a prop,” he smolders, and I have to stifle a smirk again.

“Easy boy. It was scene, not an invitation for more,” I snicker out.

“I think that was just your way of giving into me without making Hale mad,” he seduces.

“I think you’re reading too much into this. He was drinking blood too close to a human’s vein for him to be seduced by the real deal. It was apparent he thought I was hot, and he was pissed that he did. I just used it against him,” I say in explanation, even though it was pretty fucking hot. “I sure as hell wasn’t going to touch him if I didn’t have to. Therefore, you were absolutely necessary.”

“If you say so. I’ll be your puppet anytime you need one,” he sighs out with elation, and I laugh a little at his playfulness.

“I’m going to bed,” I huff out. “My eyes are starting to cross now.”

I hand him the pictures as I stand, but he follows my lead when he rises to his feet.

“I’m turning in as well,” he says menacingly.

“I’m not surprised,” I playfully retort, and then he follows me onto the RV.

He walks to the back, and I check the bunks to find Hale on a bottom one. I smile as I climb in beside him, and his sleepy eyes lift long enough to pull me to him in a spooning motion. He kisses my cheek, and then snuggles up next to me. I turn to twist up into his wonderfully heated embrace.

I can feel him smiling against my forehead, and I’m forced to mimic the goofy grin. I gently kiss his exposed collarbone, and he brings my face to his before his eyes fully open.

“I love you,” he whispers so as not to disrupt the others.

“I love you,” I murmur with my girly tone. “I hate Alex,” I add with a more grouchy, irritable tone, and he has to choke back a laugh.

My eyes move over to the bunk on top of the column beside us, and I see her blond hair hanging down as she stirs slightly.

“She would pick the fucking bed beside you,” I grumble.