Page 82 of Lilies from Hell

I get out of the water, shivering a little from the cold. Soon a towel wraps around my shoulders before his arms wrap around me.

“Are you leaving?” I ask as I notice his clothes on. His T-shirt stained with dried blood.

“I have to go back and do a few things.”

“Come back early tomorrow. It’ll only be a few hour’s difference,” I say with a pout. He gives me a warm smile, then cradles my face in his hands and brushes our noses together.

“Believe me, that’s what I want most, but I can’t,” he replies, pressing his lips to mine for a few seconds. “Although I could take you with me.”

“No. As soon as they find out I’m gone, they’ll go crazy.” His lips now twists into a grimace.

“When are you going to tell them?”

“I don’t know,” I say, biting my lower lip. “I tried to talk to him about it and he wasn’t very happy. Besides, I don’t think he’d like me dating someone older than me.” He raises both eyebrows, giving me an amused look.

“I’m only four years older than you.”

“You’re still older than me,” I scoff. Then I squirm in his arms when he starts moving his fingers quickly over my sides above the towel. “Stop,” I mutter with a laugh, pushing his hands away from my chest.

“I love you,” he whispers very close to my lips.

Another knock on the door catches our attention and interrupts our kiss. I pull away from him to quickly get dressed and leave the bathroom.

“I’ll call you later,” he murmurs, kissing my lips chastely. I nod.

“Wait. What are you going to do? We’re on the third floor, you could tear your stitches open again,” I reply in a slightly obvious tone as I watch him walk to the window.

“I’ll be fine,” he says, opening it and stepping through the frame.

I walk to the window, ignoring my brother’s calls from the other side of the door. I don't open the door until I see him walking away.

“Hi,” I say, meeting eyes identical to my own.

“What were you doing in here all day?”

“Sleeping. I wasn’t feeling very well.”

“You don’t look sick,” he refutes with a suspicious look. I click my tongue and look away.

“That’s because I’m feeling better now,” I reply, stating the obvious.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that because today is your lucky day,” he says with a grin.

“Why’s that?” His smile widens.

“Because I’m taking you to the best burger joint in town.”

He only invites me to places when he wants to know something.

Jas wasn’t lying; the burgers at this place are amazing.

“Now will you tell me why you brought me here?”

“Why are you so suspicious? Do I need to have a special reason?” he asks with an amused smile. I give him an incredulous look. “All right.” He rests his elbows on the table and leans in a few inches. “I know you’re hiding something, and I want to know what it is. Simple.”

“I could say the same thing. Or do you think I didn’t notice how you slipped away the other night?”

“Fine. But I asked first, so you speak first,” he murmurs, clasping his hands together like some kind of villain. I let out a slight snort and slump back on the sofa.