Page 91 of A Haunting at Keystone Manor

He shakes his head. “I do not like parties. Too much noise, too many people. I’ve had to threaten multiple people that have tried to come in here.”

“You didn’t threaten me,” I tease.

He looks me up and down. “I am saving you for later. After I ply you with food, you will be mine for the night.”

God, he knows just what to say to a boy. I bite my lip ring again, looking down at the counter.

“You cannot do this, it’s unfair.”

“What’s unfair?” I laugh.

“Looking cute like that. You are trying to seduce me.”

I look up at him. “Is it working?”

“Yes.” He pulls the dumplings out of the boiling water and plates a few, sliding them over to me with a fork. I bite into one after blowing on it and let out a low moan.

“This might be one of the best things I’ve ever eaten,” I say around a bite.

“You say this because you are high. But I’m glad you like them.” He plates a few for himself and we eat in silence for a few minutes before he asks, “How is your psychic business going?”

I set my fork down. “It’s going pretty good. This land has so much energy, it’s a lot easier to work out here. My granny would love it. I was planning to set up a booth tonight to do tarot readings, but… I guess I wanted to spend the night with you instead.” Oh god, I’m blushing again. I need another blunt.

“You have been spending more time here recently, because of me or something else?”

“That’s part of it,” I say, bobbing my head. “But, I don’t know. I feel connected to this place. I feel safe here. I know that sounds stupid, because of what happened, but… the idea of Mr. Covington’s people being out there, not knowing if they know where I live…” I trail off. “I tried to get my granny to come out here, she’d love this place, but she’s more stubborn than Alex and is the proud owner of an AK-47.”

He snorts and considers my words for a few moments before putting his fork down and stretching his tattooed hand out to me. I place my hand in his, and he looks down at my fingers, gently stroking. This is the hand that Andrei broke when he was grilling me for information. My fingers have mostly healed up, but if you look closely, they’re a little crooked and still ache occasionally. The pot helps with that, too.

“The man that did this to you, I wish I would have been the one to kill him,” he says with a serious expression on his face. I haven’t told him the other ways Andrei hurt me, and I’m not going to. At least not tonight.

I inhale sharply. “I wish that, too. I wish we could have done it together.”

“Would have made a good first date. I love watching your silly horror films, but I prefer to be the one holding the chainsaw,” he says as he continues to stroke my fingers.

“Maybe for our third date?” I ask.

“So this is second date, then?”

“Well, you did feed me, so I’m pretty sure it counts,” I say.

He hums and cocks his head. The music from the lobby is faint, but I can tell a slower song is playing. Jake is probably happy about that.

“Did you see Alex out there twerking in a hotdog costume?” I ask, grinning.

He smiles. “I must have missed this, thank god.” He stands up and motions for me to do the same. When I’m standing in front of him, he grabs my arms gently and places them around his neck before settling his hands on my waist. He pulls me closer, and I blush. I love that we’re both the same height at six feet tall. I like being able to look in his eyes. He starts to sway to the music, and I follow his lead.

I feel safe in his arms. He’s not that much bigger than me, but I’m a lanky stoner, I don’t spend time in the gym. I couldn’t defend myself when I got hurt. Sasha has a body that looks like it came from the streets. He could probably kill any gym bro out there. He’s got scars littered across his hands and body, a map of the violence he’s inflicted and that’s been inflicted on him. I look down, suddenly feeling embarrassed at myself. He places a finger under my chin and gently lifts my head back up.

“You don’t need to hide from me,” he says gently.

“Sorry.” I try to hold his gaze while we slowly dance in the kitchen. This is way better than being out in the lobby with everyone else.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask hesitantly. I don’t want to scare him off.

“Anything,” he replies.

“Would you like to try out a therapy session with me and Jake? It’s really been helping me, and I just thought… it might help you too. With the Covington stuff.”