Page 83 of White Hot Kiss
“Lovely.”
Roth took my hand, his skin pleasantly warm against mine, and I didn’t pitch a fit about the hand-holding thing. He led me into a nearby stairwell and then down a flight of steps, into the old part of the school where there were a couple of empty offices and a decrepit gymnasium that smelled like mold. Thankfully the boiler rooms were on the other side of the school. With all the cubbyholes in the bottom part of the school, it was a notorious hangout spot for the stoners.
It didn’t surprise me that Roth knew where to go in the school if you didn’t want to be found.
He stopped in the bottom stairwell. Torn orange safety tape hung from the gym’s double doors, hanging against the dull gray metal. One of the windows was covered with so much muck it looked tinted. The walls of the stairwell hadn’t fared much better. Entire sections were missing paint, exposing the cement walls.
Roth stopped and took both of my hands in his. “I’ve missed you.”
My heart did a weird little jump. Stupid heart. I needed to focus. With all the lying in bed I’d done the past three days, it gave me time to think about what he’d revealed. “Roth, we need to talk about what you told me.”
“We’re talking.” He dipped his head, brushing his cheek against mine.
“This is not talking.” Not that I didn’t enjoy it. “And I really do have questions.”
“So ask away. I can multitask.” He tugged me forward, circling an arm around my waist. Dipping his head to where my neck sloped, he inhaled deeply. “Can’t you?”
I shivered against him, my fingers curling into the front of his shirt. I didn’t think so, but I was willing to try. “Where have you been?”
“Where have you been?” His hands dropped to my hips, grip tightening deliciously. “You weren’t at school on Tuesday.”
“How do you know?”
“I know a lot of things.”
I sighed. “I stayed home. I figured with being sick and with the...bruises, it was best to take another day off.”
“Good idea.” A slight frown appeared on his lips as he lifted one hand, trailing a finger along my temple. “It’s barely noticeable.” His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I felt my lips part. “And your lip looks...”
“What?”
The frown turned into a slow, seductive grin. “Well, it looks good enough to nibble.”
I sucked in an unsteady breath, trying to calm the wild beating in my chest. “Roth, come on.”
“What?” He gave me an innocent look. “I’m just saying I could do all kinds—”
“Got it. Anyway, back to my question.”
“Hmm...” Roth moved his hands to my waist. Warmth flared from where his fingers pressed in through the hoodie. “How was everything when you returned?”
Distracted once more, I answered his question. “It was...okay, but I forgot to change back into my clothes before I left your place.” At his raised brows, I reminded him of the borrowed clothes and how Abbot had asked about them. “I don’t think he believed what I’d told him, but he hasn’t pushed it.”
Roth didn’t appear too concerned. “I am sure he knows the truth—about everything. But what can he say without exposing all the lies he’s fed you?” His hands slid up an inch, resting just under my rib cage. “And besides, he’s not going to kill you or anything.”
I scrunched up my nose. “I sure hope not.”
He chuckled softly. “I don’t think your fearless leader will do anything to upset Stony. Speaking of which, Stony seemed relieved to see you on Monday.”
“He was...” I shook my head. “I told you. I’ve known Zayne for most of my life. We’re close.”
“He seemed really relieved to see you on Monday.” His thumbs moved in slow, idle circles that made it difficult to concentrate. “I think I’ve only seen a Warden run that fast if it was actually chasing after a demon.”
I felt heat creep back into my face as I gripped his wrists. “Roth, I don’t want to talk about Zayne.”
“Why don’t you want to talk about Stony?”
Irritation flared hotly. “I don’t know, because there are more important things to talk about?”