Page 147 of Vicious Temptation

The question has been on my mind since I left Helios, and hours later, I’m still trying to come up with an answer that doesn’t make me feel like a fucking liar.

There isn’t one.

I’m compromised, and I think I have been for longer than I’m willing to admit.

My phone buzzes on the couch beside me, and the name on the screen sends my pulse racing.

Remi: Are you home?

Me: I am.

Three dots appear almost instantly.

Remi: You mind if I drop by? For some non-friendly company?

A smile tugs at my mouth.

I should tell her no, say it’s been a long day and I have a headache, or come up with any excuse to keep her away from me tonight. After everything Elena just ordered me to do, being around Remi is probably the last thing I need.

But as I stare at her message, I realize I’m not sure I can handle not seeing her either.

All I can think about is having her here, even if it’s only listening to her complain about her day or watching her eyes light up when she talks about cars. I know I should put some distance between us, but I don’t fucking want to. I want whatever time I can get with her.

Me: I could use the company of someone who pretends she’s not my friend.

I wait for a response, but nothing comes. Then a soft knock sounds at my door.

My eyes flick from the phone in my hand to the front door. I push off the couch and make my way over, and the second I look through the peephole, my phone vibrates.

Remi: Never leave a girl waiting at the door.

I laugh under my breath. Of course she’s already here.

Unlocking the deadbolt, I pull it open to find her standing on the other side, her hair swept into a ponytail, a thin platinum strand framing her face. She’s holding her phone in one hand. When she looks up at me through her lashes and smiles, the tension that’s been riding me since Helios finally subsides.

“I hope it’s not too late.” She lifts a white plastic bag. “I brought ice cream. With chocolate sprinkles.”

“Well, I’ll never say no to sprinkles.”

Unable to help myself, I hook my fingers into the waistband of her shorts and gently tug her toward me.

“Get in here, fera.”

She rolls her eyes but lets me pull her across the threshold.

I should probably take the ice cream from her, but I can’t stop staring. She’s so fucking beautiful that I forget about the envelope only feet away from us.

Tonight, I’ve spent enough time thinking about what I should and shouldn’t do, so I say fuck it, lean down, and press a kiss to her forehead.

“Thanks for coming over.”

The teasing slips from her expression, replaced with something softer, and somehow that simple look does more damage than any kiss ever could.

“We’d better eat this soon,” she says, her voice light. “It’s kind of melting.”

I trace my thumb along her lower lip, then take the bag from her. “I’ll get the bowls.”

As I head toward the kitchen, my attention is caught by the envelope still sitting in the middle of the coffee table. The last thing I need is Remi asking what’s inside. I pick it up on my way past and carry it into the kitchen. When I open the cabinet for the bowls, I slide the envelope onto the shelf behind them, grab two, then close the door.