Page 41 of Descent

“What’s your problem?”

“You. You’re my problem. You forced me into this arrangement, dragged me along on your crusade for the madwoman in the mask. Then at every turn, you cut me off at the knees. Make it impossible for us to…function!”

My temper simmers, rising. But I don’t get mad. I stay in control.

Minus the twitching in my eyelid.

“Maybe it’s because you’re so dysfunction?—”

“No, no, no. I told you what my problem is. What’syours?”

“You!” she yells.

“Right. Put this all on?—”

“I will!”

“Oh my God! Will you quitinterrupting meall the time!”

“Well, I wouldn’t have to interrupt you, if you would just communicate and listen to my orders. I’m supposed to be the one in charge.”

“In charge? You’re out of your damn mind.”

“Says the guy talking to his dead brother like no one notices.”

“Because you never have conversations with your dead partner? I can read lips, even if you don’t say the words out loud!”

“Don’t turn this around on me.”

“I’dloveto turn you around and?—”

“You always have todeflect, don’t you?” She takes a step closer.

“And you always snore in your sleep.” I take a step closer.

“Better than the way youdrool.” Our bodies are nearly touching.

“You just can’t fucking stand that I’m better at this than you.” My voice drops to a whispering growl.

“At what?”

“Everything.”

Circe flips her hair in my face, slamming the door open into the house and letting out something halfway between a scream and a roar. Hot on her heels, I can’t help watching her as she tosses the remnants of her costume aside, tussling her mane of wavy tresses with her fingertips.

Instantly, my heart is pounding.

Probably just the fight. Or it could be the way she swings those hips when she walks.

“Will you just chill the fuck out for a minute?” I finally offer, trying my best to diffuse the situation.

“I’d love to, but you keep pushing my buttons.”

“I keep trying to.” I level her with a suggestive stare.

“That was a one-time thing,” she says softly, tossing a crackling glare my way.

“Sure. But we only have one bed. And we have to spend every night together, regardless.”

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