Page 103 of Séance

Even as I sway toward him, Jameson gasps, gazing at Gunner with wide eyes. “If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would have never believed it.” He clutches his chest dramatically. “Gunner has game!”

A growl rumbles in Gunner’s chest, his eyes narrowing dangerously, and he takes a menacing step toward Jameson, who squeals then chuckles manically before he dodges behind me and spins me this way and that, keeping me between the two men whenever Gunner tries to reach for him.

This only infuriates Gunner more. “Don’t hide behind her like a child. Take your punishment like a man.”

“Rue,” Jameson whines with barely suppressed laughter in his voice as he drags me across the kitchen in his attempt to escape. “Big daddy is trying to spank me. Save me!”

Laughter spills out of me, a fit of giggles that I can’t contain, and Gunner’s expression softens. Before I have a chance to catch my breath, Jameson spins me around, then tosses me over his shoulder. If I had air left in me, I would have squealed. Even as Gunner lunges for me, Jameson darts toward the stairs, yelling over his shoulder as he pounds up the steps. “We’ll be down in a minute!”

Without breaking stride, Jameson deposits me on the bathroom counter and immediately begins searching through the drawers. When he finds the mostly unopened cosmetics, he clutches the items to his chest and straightens with a grin that has me leaning back warily. He isn’t the least bit bothered by my retreat, just winking at me flirtatiously, until his gaze lands on the bruises on my face.

His humor vanishes in an instant, a muscle jumping along his jaw. He touches the area so lightly that I barely feel it. “By the time I’m done, the bruises will just be a memory.”

I’m not sure if he wants to cover the bruises for my sake or his own. Every time he looks at me, it’s like he can’t see anything else, as if he thinks he’s failed me in some way. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t blame him, but no amount of reassurance will convince him.

I don’t complain, sitting completely still as he lightly brushes my face with makeup. If this is what he needs to feel better, then I will let him do whatever he wants.

Chapter Thirty-three

RUE

By the time Jameson is done with my makeup, I can only gape at the image in the mirror. It’s both me and not. The bruises have vanished completely, like they never existed, and I’m almost afraid to touch my face and mess up the magic he wrought.

I look like a totally different person. Dark lines enhance my eyes, making the teal color appear almost otherworldly, and my cheeks are more pronounced, giving me a regal appearance. The red shimmer to my lips makes them appear lush, like I’m begging to be kissed.

“I look…pretty,” I whisper in awe.

I want to ask him how he learned such unusual talent, but then a twinge of jealousy strikes hard and fast. With a mental shrug, I decide I really don’t want to know and accept it as just part of the charm that is Jameson. I’m afraid if I discovered he learned it from some girl that I would be too tempted to wash it off, and I want to feel special and pretty for at least one day.

Jameson stands behind me, his hands on my shoulders, his expression soft as he peers down at me. “No, baby, you look gorgeous.”

He kisses the top of my head reverently, then he drags his hand down my arm, links his hand with mine, and gently tugs me from the room. “Come, let us spoil you for the day.”

After three hours of wandering from one store to the next, I’m beyond exhausted and ready to be done. I thought after spending my whole life alone that I would love being surrounded by people.

Yeah…not so much.

People are loud and annoying, not to mention rude and pushy as fuck.

Totally not how they appeared on the few television shows I watched.

It’s so disappointing.

I’m more than ready to be done with shopping.

“One last store. I promise.” Not waiting for my acceptance, Jameson drags me across the courtyard, stepping in front of couples like they don’t exist. A few people open their mouths to complain, only to fall mute when they notice Gunner following behind me. A well-placed glare has even the stoutest man snapping his mouth shut, especially with the dark bruises still decorating his face.

I barely notice where he’s leading me until the smell of paper and ink reaches my nose. I whirl, picking up my pace, and soon find myself surrounded by wall after amazing wall of books. Only educational materials were allowed in my room. While I snuck in the occasional contraband item, it was usually violently confiscated and destroyed before I was punished for my crimes.

To have such books available…

My breath catches, and I blink back tears, almost afraid to touch the spines for fear they would crumble to ash under my fingers.

“Can I help—Jameson? Jaceson?” The bored salesgirl switches from annoyed to sultry in less than a nanosecond. “What are you doing here? Did you come to see me?”

A knot twists my guts into a tangled mess, and it’s all I can do not to look at the guys. Gunner quietly chuckles, then he sweeps an arm around my waist, tucks me against his side, and swiftly leads me away. Before we turn the corner, he leans down to whisper to me. I’m so distracted by his lips brushing my ear that I almost don’t hear him.

“Don’t worry, they can’t stand Brenda, but she’s like a barnacle once she latches on to you.” He nudges me to the side, then adjusts the books on the shelves, removing a whole section for me to observe the guys in the next isle over. “Watch.”

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