Duely leaned back in the chair and kicked his feet up on the ottoman across from us. “Then let’s find something to watch that’s not stupid as shit,” Duely suggested.

Heath tossed the remote to him, and I drank some more of my wine. Then took another bite of my food as Heath held it out for me on the fork. I had missed him spinning it on the fork this time. “Eat if you’re gonna keep drinking,” he told me.

I chewed my food up and swallowed before replying “Yes sir.”

He gave a low laugh and held out another bite for me. I was chewing that up when I felt the sofa on the other side of me sink in as a warm body moved to settle beside me. I could smell the intoxicating sandalwood scent and closed my eyes to breathe it in deeply.

“What are you doing?” Heath asked, and I opened my eyes then swallowed.

“Rathe smells good,” I explained, then took a drink and sat back on the sofa my other shoulder now brushing against Rathe. That entire side of my body tingled with excitement from his nearness. I couldn’t make my body not like him. My body was of its own accord. Damn traitor. I was supposed to be his friend. My body needed to react to Rathe the way it did to Heath.

Turning my head toward his shoulder, I inhaled near his neck deeply. “It’s not fair you look like you do and smell that good,” I told him.

Margo giggled, and I thought I heard Duely say “Mother of God.” I wasn’t sure because the deep rumble of a laugh coming from Rathe was too distracting. He had a wonderful laugh, too. All these mesmerizing things about him and I had to be his friend. I needed him to be like Heath if he wanted to be friends.

Suddenly, I was sleepy. My eyes were heavy, and I was cozy near Rathe. Closing my eyes, I inhaled one more time then the darkness wrapped me up.

SIXTEEN: THE KISS

Sixteen

The Kiss

If there was a Heaven, belief was that I’d never make it through the gates. I was born with the dark soul that would keep me out. However, the warmth and scent surrounding me was my idea of Heaven. I couldn’t think of a more intoxicating place to be than where I was, and I felt the sleep slowly fade. My thoughts began to clear as I blinked once, twice, then opened my eyes widely when the black fabric covered chest under my cheek rose and fell slowly.