My Soul to Steal
Page 58
Nash I groaned, when his mouth finally left mine to travel down my neck.
Too fast? He started to pull back, but I wouldnt let him.
No. I just wanted to say your name without being mad.
He grinned and leaned with his forehead against mine. Thats my favorite way to hear it. But this is too fast. We have to slow down, or were going to wind up in the same position againwithout the frost. Or the Influence, he added, when I frowned.
But youre not
Kaylee, I need to slow down.
Oh. I tried to banish disappointment from my voice, but he heard it, anyway, and I think that made it worse for himknowing that I wanted more. But he was doing the right thing, and so should I. Umokay. Im gonna get a Coke. You want one? I stood, straightening my shirt.
Yeah. Theres some in the fridge.
Id made it halfway across the room when a car rumbled to a stop outside, and a wash of bright light traveled across the living room through the front window. Must be the pizza. Nash stood, already digging his wallet from his back pocket, and I shoved open the swinging door into the kitchen, pleasantly surprised by the quick delivery.
But when I pulled open the fridge, a familiar, disembodied voice spoke to me from the other side of the door. Its not the pizza, Tod said, and I slammed the door shut without grabbing the cans. But the kitchen was completely empty.
Where are you? I demanded in a whisper, as the front door creaked open from the living room. And how do you know its not the delivery guy?
Tod suddenly appeared between me and his moms small kitchen table, wearing a royal blue polo with a stylized pizzamissing one sliceembroidered on the left side of his chest. Because I have your pizza right here, and I didnt drive.
I laughed. I couldnt help it. An undead reaper was one thing. But an undead pizza delivery driver? The jokes wouldnt stop coming.
Its not funny! Tod snapped. This was your idea.
I was joking! I hissed, opening the fridge again.
Well, I wasnt. Being dead doesnt have to mean mooching off all my friends, right? he said, and I shrugged, pulling two cold cans from the top shelf. Plus, you were right about the free pizza.
I couldnt resist another grin. Sois there a family discount?
Hell, no. Nash is paying full price. Plus tip.
Before I could reply, hushed voices from the living room caught my attention. Whos that? I demanded, setting the sodas on the table. I headed for the swinging door, but Tod grabbed my arm before Idmade it two steps.
Its her, isnt it? Thats Sabines car? You saw her?
He nodded reluctantly, brushing a curl from his forehead. I started forward again, and again he pulled me back. Let go. What, youre on her side now?
Im just trying to keep this from going bad, fast.
Shh I said, when I realized I could make out words from the other room.
Kaylees here? Sabine said, obviously refusing to be shushed by Nash. And its not like she didnt know I was theremy car was in the driveway! I thought it was just going to be us.
I didnt think shed come. Bina, please go before she hears you.
I couldnt hear what came next, so I snuck closer to the door. Tod clenched his jaw, but let me go.
Sabine, no! Ill make it up to you, but you have to go n
Then there was no more talking from either of them, and my blood boiled.
I shoved open the swinging kitchen door and froze with my foot holding it open, unable to truly process what I saw. Sabine Campbell had her shirt off, and shed latched onto Nash like the parasite she really was. She had him pressed against his own front door, her tongue surely halfway down his throat. But the worst part
He held her shirt, dangling from one fistand he was kissing her back.
I couldnt speak. I couldnt even form a coherent thought until Tod cleared his throat at my back, and Sabine reluctantly peeled herself off my boyfriend.
Nashs face flamed, but Sabine only grinned. Hey, Kay. Sorry Im late to the party, but the more the merrier, right?
You two look merry enough without me, I snapped through clenched teeth. Then I stepped forward and let the kitchen door swing through Tod, who barely seemed to notice.
Kaylee, wait Nash pushed Sabine away from him. I didnt She
I know. She was all over you like a tick on blood. But I also knew that he hadnt pushed her away. He may not have started it, but hed let it happen, and I couldnt help wondering, if I hadnt been there, how much farther he would have let it go.
I glanced pointedly at the shirt he still held in one hand, and his cheeks flushed nearly scarlet.
Nash whirled on Sabine and shoved the shirt at her and she took it, reluctantly covering herself. Then he pulled open the front door, grabbed her arm, and shoved her onto the porch, still clutching the material to her chest. Dont come back, he growled, an instant before slamming the door in her face.
Kaylee He turned to face me, leaning against the door.
Too fast? He started to pull back, but I wouldnt let him.
No. I just wanted to say your name without being mad.
He grinned and leaned with his forehead against mine. Thats my favorite way to hear it. But this is too fast. We have to slow down, or were going to wind up in the same position againwithout the frost. Or the Influence, he added, when I frowned.
But youre not
Kaylee, I need to slow down.
Oh. I tried to banish disappointment from my voice, but he heard it, anyway, and I think that made it worse for himknowing that I wanted more. But he was doing the right thing, and so should I. Umokay. Im gonna get a Coke. You want one? I stood, straightening my shirt.
Yeah. Theres some in the fridge.
Id made it halfway across the room when a car rumbled to a stop outside, and a wash of bright light traveled across the living room through the front window. Must be the pizza. Nash stood, already digging his wallet from his back pocket, and I shoved open the swinging door into the kitchen, pleasantly surprised by the quick delivery.
But when I pulled open the fridge, a familiar, disembodied voice spoke to me from the other side of the door. Its not the pizza, Tod said, and I slammed the door shut without grabbing the cans. But the kitchen was completely empty.
Where are you? I demanded in a whisper, as the front door creaked open from the living room. And how do you know its not the delivery guy?
Tod suddenly appeared between me and his moms small kitchen table, wearing a royal blue polo with a stylized pizzamissing one sliceembroidered on the left side of his chest. Because I have your pizza right here, and I didnt drive.
I laughed. I couldnt help it. An undead reaper was one thing. But an undead pizza delivery driver? The jokes wouldnt stop coming.
Its not funny! Tod snapped. This was your idea.
I was joking! I hissed, opening the fridge again.
Well, I wasnt. Being dead doesnt have to mean mooching off all my friends, right? he said, and I shrugged, pulling two cold cans from the top shelf. Plus, you were right about the free pizza.
I couldnt resist another grin. Sois there a family discount?
Hell, no. Nash is paying full price. Plus tip.
Before I could reply, hushed voices from the living room caught my attention. Whos that? I demanded, setting the sodas on the table. I headed for the swinging door, but Tod grabbed my arm before Idmade it two steps.
Its her, isnt it? Thats Sabines car? You saw her?
He nodded reluctantly, brushing a curl from his forehead. I started forward again, and again he pulled me back. Let go. What, youre on her side now?
Im just trying to keep this from going bad, fast.
Shh I said, when I realized I could make out words from the other room.
Kaylees here? Sabine said, obviously refusing to be shushed by Nash. And its not like she didnt know I was theremy car was in the driveway! I thought it was just going to be us.
I didnt think shed come. Bina, please go before she hears you.
I couldnt hear what came next, so I snuck closer to the door. Tod clenched his jaw, but let me go.
Sabine, no! Ill make it up to you, but you have to go n
Then there was no more talking from either of them, and my blood boiled.
I shoved open the swinging kitchen door and froze with my foot holding it open, unable to truly process what I saw. Sabine Campbell had her shirt off, and shed latched onto Nash like the parasite she really was. She had him pressed against his own front door, her tongue surely halfway down his throat. But the worst part
He held her shirt, dangling from one fistand he was kissing her back.
I couldnt speak. I couldnt even form a coherent thought until Tod cleared his throat at my back, and Sabine reluctantly peeled herself off my boyfriend.
Nashs face flamed, but Sabine only grinned. Hey, Kay. Sorry Im late to the party, but the more the merrier, right?
You two look merry enough without me, I snapped through clenched teeth. Then I stepped forward and let the kitchen door swing through Tod, who barely seemed to notice.
Kaylee, wait Nash pushed Sabine away from him. I didnt She
I know. She was all over you like a tick on blood. But I also knew that he hadnt pushed her away. He may not have started it, but hed let it happen, and I couldnt help wondering, if I hadnt been there, how much farther he would have let it go.
I glanced pointedly at the shirt he still held in one hand, and his cheeks flushed nearly scarlet.
Nash whirled on Sabine and shoved the shirt at her and she took it, reluctantly covering herself. Then he pulled open the front door, grabbed her arm, and shoved her onto the porch, still clutching the material to her chest. Dont come back, he growled, an instant before slamming the door in her face.
Kaylee He turned to face me, leaning against the door.
