“A what-what-what?”
“A Blood Moon,” he clarified, “which isn’t marked on any foreseeable calendar. We’ll figure it out, okay?”
“How? If he’s that powerful and clever, he could possess anyone! Hell, he could be you for all I know.”
The widest smile broke out across Reese’s face. “Is that what you think?”
“Well, you have been uncharacteristically pleasant to me lately,” I jabbed, trying to snatch back his pillow. He extended his arm away teasingly, leaving it just out of my reach. “And how do I know that you’re not using some unholy power to mask your real runes?”
“So you’re accusing me of being the Crown Prince of Lust now?”
“Perhaps I am.” I laughed at my attempt to wrestle his arm back towards me. It was no use. He didn’t concede so much as an inch.
He continued staring at me with that fixated grin of his, chuckling at my pitiful effort. “Having some trouble?”
“Against your abnormal brute strength? Yeah.” I sat up and reached over him, but his arms were so much longer than mine that I still didn’t stand a chance of regaining the pillow from this position.
“As for the other things?” Reese further prodded.
“What other things?”
“Do you find me ‘dangerously charming’?” he quoted.
“You can be, when you want.”
“And ‘unnaturally handsome’?”
“Perhaps,” I laughed, my fingers grappling at a corner of the pillow as I lay over him.
Reese rolled over, taking me with him in the process. Tossing playful elbows, we tried wrestling the pillow from each other’s grasp until our scuffling sent it toppling off the bedside. Reese’s whole body went rigid, and I looked down to realize why. I was straddling him at the waist, our faces mere inches apart. “Is that right?” He’d suddenly gone breathy.
My long blonde tendrils cascaded around his face, and his tattooed hand reached up, sweeping away one side of the locks behind my neck. His fingers rested on my nape, the delicate caress urging me closer.
The theme from Psycho suddenly blared beside us on the bed, instinctively setting me upright. “Shit,” I murmured.
“What is it?” Reese could see my phone lighting up, but clearly couldn’t see who was calling. “Is it Unknown?”
“Worse,” I confirmed. I didn’t need to see the screen. I’d specifically set the individualized ringtone to that chilling theme, because it seemed the most appropriate as of late. “It’s my mom.”
“You tell her yet about your blood work?”
I shook my head.
I didn’t have time to even answer before she sneered, “Where the hell are you?” on the other end.
“Out.”
“Well, I need you to get back home! The social starts in an hour. Did you remember to pick up your dress?”
“My what?”
A professional string of expletives followed. “I ordered you a new dress from Collette’s over two weeks ago just for the occasion. I left you how many reminders!”
I immediately groaned. “Is this really necessary? I mean, this is like the thousandth dress you’ve gotten me, and I’ve only ever worn them once. Besides, none of the girls are gonna be there. Kelsey and V are working tonight, and Carly’s with the student council to set up for the Homecoming Dance tomorrow. It’s not like anyone’s gonna miss me if I’m not there.”
“Carly’s in an after-school activity?” whispered Reese, trying not to laugh as my mom continued ranting on the other end.
“Car already said she was gonna clock in an hour and then bail,” I confirmed, holding my hand over the cell’s speaker. “She’s just using it as an excuse to get out of having to go tonight.”
“Smart girl.”
“I don’t care what Carly’s doing. Her mom’s not running for Regency President! What you do is very much a reflection on me,” she growled. “And don’t even think of bringing that boy! You’ve done enough damage as it is.”
Reese’s amusement quickly turned into a scowl.
“Trust me, I won’t,” I countered, feeling him stiffen all the more. “I wouldn’t subject anyone as decent as him to your special breed of torture.”
A ghost of a smile returned. “Stay,” he mouthed.
I wanted to say I was strong enough to stand my ground, but one mention of Stewart’s Landing had me woefully waving my white flag. Though Reese had been kind enough to take me to Collette’s before dropping me off at home, he still hadn’t spoken a word since we left his place.