Page 26 of Devil on the Lake

“I’m sorry, too.”

My brow wrinkles. “That doesn’t sound like a thank you for saving your ass from another psycho.”

Willow laughs and traces her fingertips over my spine. “I believed you were the one behind the notes. I could take you being mad at me, but I hated you so much for being a dick to me all the time and leaving them for me. But it wasn’t you. Why didn’t you say anything when I showed it to you?”

I answer her with a kiss, capturing her lips with mine. She makes a soft sound and presses closer. A low rumble vibrates in my throat as we kiss.

Willow shivers. I wrap my arms around her chilled body and rub her back through the thin, wet material clinging to her skin.

“You’re cold. Want my coat?”

She laughs, plucking at the lapel. “It’s soaked, too.”

“We could go back to our cabin,” I suggest, threading my fingers into her hair. “Start a fire, warm up.”

Humming, Willow kisses me again. For the first time in months, I’m not harboring so much anger it chokes me, not worried about whatever hell awaits me at home.

All I care about is this girl I’m kissing in the middle of the night at the edge of the lake.

ELEVEN

WILLOW

Kissing Dante is a rush every time. He makes me feel with an intensity I’ve never experienced before. This feels right.

As much as we’ve clashed together, I can’t imagine being with anyone else the way I was with him tonight. Being that free and raw. Wild.

Dante is the only one who reaches inside my walls to pull out the deepest parts of me. He’s right, I am his. I’ve been his, because no one affects me like he does.

I moan as his tongue slips into my mouth.

Chuckling, he speaks against my lips. “I want you again.”

The warmth spilling into my center agrees, an aching need building at the thought of his hands on me again. I slide my thighs together and brush my lips over his sharp jaw.

“Why not start out with a date, pervert.”

Dante smirks. “Done. But this weekend doesn’t count. I’ll pick you up next Friday.”

I bite my lip around a smile. “That easy?”

“I don’t play around when I want something.”

“What do you want to do, see a movie? I hope you don’t plan on taking me to your race and calling that a good first date.”

His smirk stretches into a smug grin. “It’ll be a surprise.” He steps back and offers me his hand. “Let’s go back to the party. We’ll dry off faster if we’re by the fire.”

Back to the party, holding his hand? My stomach dips. He’s serious. This won’t be a secret we hide in the woods or in secluded cabins. He wants me by his side.

“Hey, it’s after midnight.”

“Yeah?”

“That means it’s my favorite day of the year. Halloween.”

“It’s mine, too. Happy Halloween.” He gives me a wicked look that sends hot and cold chills over my body.

I take his hand and his smile steals my breath.

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