Page 134 of White Hot Kiss
Or when she shifted on my skin so she’d be visible when Zayne was around, just like I imagined Roth would’ve done if he...
Tugging my tank top on, I cut that thought off, but the back of my throat burned. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths, refocusing back on Bambi.
Yesterday she had made her way to the side of my face when Zayne had been watching a movie with me, and she wouldn’t leave no matter what I did.
Zayne tried to ignore her, but all that did was provoke Bambi into coming off my skin and flopping her head right on his upper thigh.
So, yeah, the snake was like Roth.
There was a knock on my door, drawing my attention. “Yeah?”
Zayne came in, his hair pulled back in a low ponytail. I was expecting him today, and not just because he’d been spending a lot of time with me. We really didn’t talk about what had gone down or what Roth had done for him—for us. But I knew it bothered him that he didn’t know the right thing to say.
I didn’t, either.
So we’d just spent a lot of time together since then, and there weren’t enough words in this world that could show my gratitude. Zayne’s presence had done what Roth had known it would. It kept the rougher, darker edges of the pain at bay. Our bond since childhood was like a buffer, blocking out the harsh reality that I’d lost a part of me before I’d been given a chance to realize it.
“Are you sure you want to go with me?” I asked.
“Yes.” His gaze dipped along the hem of my tank top. “Man, I hate how that thing just moves all over your...”
“Body?”
A faint pink crept over the hollow of his cheeks. “Yeah, that.”
I laughed softly. “Hey, Bambi’s a girl.”
“Doesn’t make it any better,” he grumbled as he picked up my hoodie and handed it to me.
I took it from him. “I think she likes you.” I slipped it on and then zipped up the front. “I think that’s why she messes with you.”
“I think she hates me and that’s why.” He reached out and straightened the strings so they were even. “The snake’s a—”
Bambi’s tail suddenly slithered up my waist, and I jerked to the side, giggling.
Zayne lowered his hands. “What?”
“Bambi,” I gasped. “She’s moving—it tickles.”
His eyes narrowed as his lips turned down at the corners.
“That mean face doesn’t help. It provokes her.” I smiled when Zayne’s eyes rolled, but the smile quickly faded when I thought of what lay ahead. “You ready?”
“Are you?”
“No,” I whispered and then shook my head. “Yes.”
Zayne waited. “It’s okay. Take whatever time you need. I’m here with you.”
Just as Roth had known he’d be.
We parked several blocks from Roth’s apartment, and Zayne waited at a small park a block down. I didn’t think the demons would be thrilled with a Warden’s presence even though Zayne wouldn’t try anything today. I wasn’t sure how welcome I’d be with my Warden blood, but it wasn’t going to stop me.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the doors and stepped into the opulent lobby, looking around. Demons were pretty scarce. There was a Fiend sitting on a couch, drinking a cup of coffee while messing with his phone.
He looked up, spotted me and then went back to his screen. Okay. I prowled toward the stairs, hitting my destination without interruption. I reached the door to the stairwell, but my gaze went to the elevator nearby—the portal to Hell.
“I know what you’re thinking.”