“Dylan, I can’t see anything.”
I let out a sigh. “That’s usually the case when the power goes out, genius.”
“Asshole. I mean, I can’t even see a sliver of light. I’m afraid to move off the couch.”
“Use the flashlight on your phone. Oh, wait, did they even have that technology back in the ninety’s when your phone was made?” I let out a snicker just before— “Ow, what the hell was that?”
“My antique phone. It may not have all the bells and whistles that the new ones do, but it sure holds its own against solid concrete,” Velyn replies.
I groan. “That wasn’t solid concrete; it was my head.”
“One and the same if you ask me.” she snickers.
“Velyn, you realize I grew up in this house...know it like the back of my hand. Can easily walk around blindfolded. What I’m getting at is, I can leave your sorry ass to sit all alone in the dark. Who knows, maybe tonight will be the night that Henry makes an appearance,” I mention.
I can hear her moving around, then she asks hesitantly, “Who’s Henry?”
She can’t see me, but I’m smiling. “The evil spirit of our old gardener. Connie’s positive that to this day, he walks the grounds and every so often the halls looking for revenge.”
“You’re making that up.”
I am, but why not play with her a little. “Nope, and neither is Connie. She’s one of the godliest people I know. She wouldn’t lie about something like that.” That part’s true, but then again, Connie’s always seeing or hearing things. Like just the other day, she was convinced that Elvis himself was trying to make contact with her.
“I know what you’re doing, Dylan, and it’s not going to work.” It’s quiet for a moment as she waits for my response, but I don’t give one. “Dylan?”
I just stand there quietly.
“Dylan, seriously answer me.” She pauses to hear for a response, but like before I offer nothing, so once again, she calls out, “Dylan, please answer me. I’m afraid of the dark.”
That last part came out with a tremble in her voice. I turn on my phone’s light, shining it just above her, and that’s when I notice the tears.
“Crap, Velyn, I’m sorry I was just playing around.” I move in front of the couch, falling
in beside her. When I get a closer look, I see it’s not just her voice trembling. Without another thought, I pull her into my lap and wrap my arms around her. “I’m so sorry. It’s okay. Really, I was kidding about everything. Dammit, Velyn, I’m a dick. I’m so sorry.”
I feel her tears fall against my neck. Her trembling is subsiding, but I can tell she’s still upset. I know this isn’t the time, but the thought of how good she feels in my arms hits me. It’s not even sexual; it’s calming for me too. Almost like I could hold her here like this forever—no, not almost…I could absolutely hold her like this forever. It feels natural; it feels right!
Chapter 10 Velyn
He’s a jackass for what he just did. But as much as I want to dislike him even more than I already do, I can’t deny this feeling of complete peace I’m experiencing right now here in his arms—a peace I haven’t felt in a long time. This should feel odd. I mean, it shouldn’t feel this natural, this right.
When my anxiety calms, I should pull myself away from him, but something I can’t control has me moving in closer, and as though instinctively, his arms tighten around my body, swallowing me whole. Neither of us says anything, almost like we’re afraid for this responsiveness toward one another to end. But that can’t be right. There’s no way that Dylan Dandridge is experiencing any of this right now; there’s just no way. Not Mr. love ‘em and leave ‘em.
Then it happens. I feel it like a torpedo in super speed trying to break through the water. I jump from Dylan’s lap, almost throwing myself to the other side of the couch.
He lets out a cracked chuckle. “Sorry, it has a mind of its own at some of the worst times.”
I’m thankful for the cover of darkness at this moment, and not because of my embarrassment, but rather to cover the raging flush of heat to my upper and lower body. It’s almost primal—wanting—needing.
The tremble is back, but this time for a different reason. I inhale deeply then release my breath steadily in an attempt to slow it down, but it doesn’t work. My pulse quickens, my heart pounds—I’m about to explode, then the lights turn back on.
Crap!
No hiding it now, but when I look up, Dylan’s already jumped off the couch, almost running out of the room.
What the—?
I’m sitting here for what feels like forever when I hear the front door open, and not moments later, Chase enters the room.
“Hey, I thought that was your car out there. What are you doing here? I mean, not that I mind, but I thought I told you I would be at the library,” he questions.
With the last of my recent episode subsiding, I offer him a smile. “You did. I just needed to take care of something.”
Knowingly, Chase shakes his head. “Velyn trying to reason with Dylan is, and will forever prove to be pointless. He is who he is, and apparently, that person has hit an all-time high on the asshat meter.”
Wanting to get away from any conversation involving Dylan at this moment, I respond, “You’re right, I don’t know what I was thinking. Anyway, has the
