Page 214 of Sigils & Spells

Daniel couldn’t figure out if she was joking or not. “Now I feel obligated to repeat your statement about making promises you don’t intend to keep.”

She giggled and reclaimed her fork. “Don’t get too excited. I’m not having sex with you on a first date.”

“I never—”

She held up her hand to cut him off. “I didn’t think you expected that. But what I mean is, perhaps I do want to kiss you.”

There was no denying that those words sent desire coursing through him. “We don’t have to find hiding places on an island for that.”

Her grin grew wider. “But that makes it more fun.” She eyed his plate. “Do you want that garlic bread?”

Daniel had never eaten a plate of spaghetti quicker in his life after handing over the bread. Before long, they were back on the ferry to make the voyage back to campus. Not very many students had cars on the island, or the need to shuttle them back and to the mainland. The dock wasn’t very far to walk to, and with rideshare apps, it was all too easy to get around when students left. Daniel’s car was on the island, however, and where they were going required a short drive.

“Isn’t there a curfew for being out on the roads here?”

Daniel held the passenger door of his silver Impala open for her as she got inside. “Only if you’re a student.” He winked and closed her door while she giggled. Then, he made his way to the driver’s side and got in, looking at her while he fastened his seatbelt. “Besides, the last ferry drops students off at eight. So we have probably two hours before security starts looking for rule breakers out past their bedtime. It’s a college. No one stays in their dorms every night.”

“I usually do.” She said it lightly, but something in her expression as he turned the ignition gave him pause. There was a sadness in her. Loneliness perhaps?

“Hey.” He put a hand over hers, against her thigh. “It’s not a bad thing if you do. I meant they expect us to be living a little. They don’t want anything crazy like dancing naked on the beach or orgies in the woods.”

This got another laugh out of her. “And here I thought that was where you were taking me.”

He pulled her hand up toward him and kissed her lightly on her knuckles. “Call me selfish, but I’m not inclined to sharing. Where we go will be private.”

Reluctantly, he released her hand so he could shift the car into reverse and get them on their way. The sky was dark with a new moon that night, but there were never many cars on the road out here. It was far easier to walk to most of the places on or near the campus.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” He grinned, liking that he was going to surprise her with this spot Tony had shown him a year ago. Daniel would come out here to think sometimes. To get away from everything. The niggling thought that his brother was in some sort of trouble rose to the forefront of his mind, but Daniel pushed it aside. Now was not the time.

They drove on the road that wrapped around the island, through the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic below. He turned the music off and rolled the windows down. The crash of waves on rock filled the salty sea air, and Ravyn sighed with contentment as she looked out his side of the car toward the water.

“When we come back this way, you’ll get a better view of the beach.” Sort of. It was a very dark night.

Soon, he came to a dirt path made from students driving through the grass that turned off the paved road and disappeared from view behind a bunch of trees. He parked and cut the lights. As long as security didn’t stop here, they likely wouldn’t see their car as they drove past so long as the lights weren’t on to give them away.

Ravyn looked around. “Behind these trees is your secret spot? The road is literally right there.” She pointed where the street, indeed, was discernable.

Daniel laughed. “I mean, if I was only wanting to get into your pants, this would do the trick. But we have a small journey on foot. The car won’t make it.”

Ravyn was out her side of the car before he managed to get his door open. Inquisitive, that one. He liked that in a woman. Curiosity was a good thing; only people with something to hide despised that trait.

He joined her at the front of the car and took her hand. “Ready?”

“So ready.”

As promised, the walk wasn’t far. The path had been well worn from other students who knew the spot, and hopefully from the lack of cars around, they would be the only ones up here tonight. As they reached the end of the trees where the highest cliff overlooked the ocean, Ravyn’s breath caught.

“I wish the moon was out,” she said. “But would you look at all the stars? Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”

“No. I really haven’t.” His voice had come out huskier than intended. Even in the dark, Ravyn’s beauty drew him in like nothing else he’d ever known. She turned to face him.

“You’re not looking at the stars.”

“No, I’m not.”

They stared at each other, and Daniel wasn’t sure whose breathing grew deeper first. All he knew was he needed to touch her, hold her. He wanted so much more, but knew she wasn’t ready. Had told him as much at the restaurant, and Daniel had been raised to respect boundaries. The ball was in her court, but he was there for whatever she needed from him. God, how he hoped she at least wanted him nearly as much as he did her.

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