****
It was hypnotic.
The way the flames seemed to move asif dancing to a tune only it could hear.Even knowing that it was achemical reaction and that it wasn’t a tangible being, the way itconsumed whatever lay in its path it was hard not to think of it asa physical entity.It moved so fluidly it wasmesmerizing.
The flame he watched now was even morebeautiful to him, because he was the one that had called it.He hadstudied fires and how they burned for a long time, and this onedanced to the tune he had orchestrated.The flames seemed to danceacross the wood of the windowsill and as soon as it reached thesynthetic fabric of the hideous curtains, it burst into life.Exploding again and again as it traveled up the length of thecurtain.It seemed to defy gravity as it traveled toward the floorat the same time.
His blood thickened as the fire beganto weave its magic, moving faster and faster up the wall and to theceiling.Fire moved fast, and it would soon consume the entirewall.The room began to fill with an acrid smoke that some wouldfind cloying, but he had always liked it.He remembered watching amovie a while ago, where one of the actors told the lead characterplayed by Vin Diesel that he smoked all the time because hepreferred smoke to air.He could respect that.
Keeping his eyes on the flame as itlicked its way across the roof with unbelievable speed, he walkedbackward through the door.The chill of the night air would donothing to dissuade the fire from consuming the entire structure.He walked down the stairs of the cabin, and back toward thedriveway that led to his vehicle.When he reached it, he couldn’tbring himself to actually get in.The beauty of what he had createdwas hard to turn away from.The flames were now visible in thewindows of the upstairs bedroom.
He smiled fondly as he remembered thewoman he had fucked in that room.He had picked her up at a bar inthe town over, and he had brought her back here.She was a younglittle thing, with a tight body, and he’d known that she came withhim with the expectation that she would be paid for her servicesrendered.Hell, he had promised her as much.He closed his eyes,reveling in the spike of arousal that shot through him when heremembered the look on her face as he turned the light eroticasphyxiation that she had been enjoying into the real thing.Therewas nothing like the rush of power that came with ending a lifewith his bare hands.
He opened his eyes and watched as theflames he had created now engulfed the entire cabin.Climbing intohis truck, he thought about what the fire department would make ofhis handiwork when they eventually turned up.Would they appreciatehow fast and hot it burned?Would they discover the secrets hiddenwithin?He figured he was doing the actual owners of the property,an older couple with no children, a favor by setting it alight andbringing the authorities out here.Otherwise, it might have beenmonths before anyone realized that they were missing.
But he would know.The two of them haddied at his hands two days ago only moments apart from each other,and he had left them lying in each other’s arms in the downstairsbedroom.He really was a romantic at heart.He pulled out onto thedarkened highway and headed north.A moment later, a flash of redand blue in his rearview told him that his creation had beenspotted and emergency services were on their way.That made himhappy.Like any artist, he loved knowing that there would besomeone there to watch and enjoy his craftsmanship.
ChapterSix
Nick heard Aiden chuckle behind him,but he refused to give him the satisfaction of turning to scowl athim.They had arranged to meet Sam at the bar in town at half pastseven, and Nick had been so keen on getting there, that he had beendressed and ready to go by half past six.Much to Aiden’s everincreasing amusement.
“You do realize that youare practically sprinting to the door,” Aiden said dryly, and Nickstopped to turn back toward him, and refused to acknowledge thefact that he had to wait a few moments before Aiden caught up withhim.
“It would be undignifiedto sprint,” Nick argued.“I got to the door faster because I amtaller than you and my legs are longer.”
Aiden smiled, and Nick felt his heartmelt a little.“I’m just as anxious to talk with Sam and see whathe’s been thinking about as you are.But, babe, if we charge inthere with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, I don’tthink our boy will react kindly to it.”
Nick took a deep breath and nodded.“That’s what happened eighteen months ago, isn’t it?I came on toostrong, and drove him away.”
Aiden shook his head and stepped alittle closer to him.“No, Sam was not in the right place for theconversation I am hoping we can have soon.Did you come on strong?Yeah, but that’s who you are.If we are going to have any hope atall that Sam opens himself up to the idea of who we would betogether, then he needs to see the real you and the realme.”
Nick nodded.Aiden was so damn smart.It was one of the things Nick had been attracted to when they firstmet.Aiden moved forward and walked up the steps to the bar in fromof him, and he couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face,as Nick’s gaze locked to Aiden’s ass.It wasn’t just his brain thatNick had fallen in love with, that’s for sure.
“You’re starin’ at my ass,aren’t you?”Aiden said dryly, and Nick tore his gaze from hislover’s phenomenal ass and caught Aiden’s eye as he looked over hisshoulder.
Nick knew the grin on his face waswickeder than anything else.“Hell yeah, I am!I’m not sure ifyou’ve ever taken notice of your own ass when you walk becausephysically it would be pretty damn hard, but I have to tell you, itis a sight to behold.”
Aiden winked and held the bar dooropen for Nick to step through.“Nope, but I can appreciate thereasons for it.”
Nick laughed as he strode to the bar,and order them both a beer from the bar’s owner, a large older mancalled Blake.He turned and leaned back, letting his gaze sweepthrough the room.Aiden had taken one of the booths at the side ofthe room, and there was a mix of small groups of people in the bar.His eye immediately went to the small but loud group of youngpeople playing pool at the back of the room.There were five menand three women, and from the looks of their flushed cheeks, theyhad been in the bar for a while.
“Here you go, Sheriff,”Blake said as he placed the longnecks in front of him.
“How long has that groupplaying pool been in for, Blake?”Nick asked when he turned to handover the cash and take the drinks.
“Couple of hours,” Blakesaid as he wiped the bar down.“They’ve been good, though, keepingto themselves and just having a good time.I told the blonde girlthat the last round they had would be their last.They’re allstaying at the motel behind the bar, so they won’t be drivinganywhere.”
Nick nodded, thanked Blake and headedfor his table.It made his job easier when the owners ofestablishments like this one were responsible hosts and truly caredfor the patrons who ventured in for a drink.
Sliding into the booth, he passedAiden his beer and checked his watch.It was almost seven-thirty.“I missed you like this.”Aiden’s amused voice had Nick lookingup.
“Like what?”
“Nervous,” Aiden replied,and Nick felt a warmth rise in his neck and knew he was blushing.“God, you are even blushing.You were like this with me at thebeginning, too.”
Nick scoffed and took a large slug ofhis beer.“And could you blame me?You were out of my league, and Iknew it.”
