Page 32 of Séance

Italmostmakes me want to talk to her just to see what makes her tick.

Her slightly smoky scent has a hint of flowers in it, the fragrance addicting. The light, airy scent doesn’t threaten to chase me away like so many others. It’s almost soothing, inviting me to linger.

It’s not an overwhelming odor that other women drench themselves in daily, ranging between shampoos, conditioners, hair goop, makeup, deodorants, and perfume.

Part of me wants to run the hell away from her, yet my feet remain rooted to the spot. She quiets the chaotic voices in my head the way only speeding down a track at a hundred miles an hour can do. I crave the peacefulness she exudes, and I have to know if it’s a fluke or if there’s something special about her.

“Fuck it,” James mutters, then heads toward the house with a determined expression on his face. “I’m going to see what’s taking them so long.”

I mentally sigh, debating if it’s worth trying to hold him back. Maybe it’s better to know now if Rue can handle his full exuberance. No one can put up with him for long. With the guys around to help, it’s barely manageable. I almost feel sorryunleashing him on her, but it’s better to know now before things go too far.

Before James can escape, Gunner reaches over and grabs the back of his shirt, nearly pulling my twin off his feet and strangling him at the same time. James yanks on his shirt, almost wiggling out of it before Gunner speaks.

“They are on their way down.” He nods to the far window. “The lights just went out.”

When James relaxes, Gunner gingerly releases his hold. My brother is a tricky fucker and sometimes too clever for his own good. It gets him into way too much trouble.

James tugs on his shirt, fussing with his clothing. James’ style is deceiving because it makes people think he takes special care in his appearance. Very rarely does he give a shit what he looks like. I usually lay out something appropriate for him to wear after he showers.

He only takes notice of what he’s wearing on important occasions. That’s when I realize he’s wearing a new pair of jeans, clean shoes, a shirt that?—

Wait, is that mine?

Even his hair is slicked back with product.

Fucking hell.

My eyes widen in surprise, and my chest tightens in a weird sort of panic. James adores women, often treating them as goddesses, but they are interchangeable for him.

Tonight is the first time that he’s taken special care to impress one. He’s not a slob by any means, it’s just that he has a natural style that is effortless for him. I’m so distracted that I don’t notice the stick I’m using to stir the coals is actually on fire until heat hits my hand and I look down. With a curse, I toss it into the flames, then shove to my feet, taking a step toward my brother like I could hold off the train wreck that is about to happen.

But I’m too late.

Just as I take a step toward him, Rue sweeps onto the patio.

Part of me instantly relaxes, my anxiety easing and the noise in my head quieting. I shake off the effect, wanting to snatch my brother away before he can fall any further under her influence.

If she hurts him, I doubt he’ll ever recover.

While he’s a massive man whore, he doesn’t get attached easily. Before I can warn him not to let down his guard, he bounds toward Rue with a massive smile.

“I thought you’d never get here!” He snatches her arm and drags her away from Ellis.

Ellis is usually pretty laid-back, but he frowns after James, not that my brother notices. It’s only when Rue glances back at him with a gentle smile that his expression softens and turns rueful.

By the time she turns back toward my brother, he’s guided her to the chair next to mine. “You can sit here.” He leans forward and sweeps a hand over the seat to make sure it’s clean.

Instead of being offended or annoyed at being dragged around by a stranger, she gives a husky laugh, like she’s not used to making the sound, and graciously sinks into the chair. “Thank you!”

I slowly sit back in my seat, giving my brother a warning look to slow down, which he totally ignores when he grabs the nearest seat and drags it so close to her that their chairs collide. When he’s satisfied that he can’t get closer, he plops his ass down with a satisfied smile. “Much better.”

He rubs his hands together, and then his eyes widen before he pops back up once more. “Wait! Have you ever had s’mores?”

Excitement sparks in her teal eyes, and she shakes her head. “No, I’ve never been camping.”

“Wait here.” He holds his hand out like she’s a dog he’s trying to make sit. “I think we have the ingredients.”

He doesn’t even wait for an answer as he dashes into the house, his feet skidding across the floor in his rush. Even from here, I can see him ripping the cupboards apart as he hunts down his supplies.

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