Page 46 of Secrets & Lies

KINSLEY:

Not particularly, but since when has that ever stopped you?

He called me a brat, after all. I flicked my eyes to my bears, and I could almost imagine if the real Winter were here, she’d grab my phone from me. Hell, she’d break it to prevent me from further antagonizing him.

REAPER:

I think you are hiding something. I want to know what it is.

Crap.

His subtle way of asking without asking questions, the way he pushed my boundaries and was tearing down my walls, made me hesitate. The rational part of me screamed that I should have blocked him by now, but I hadn’t, and that made him dangerous. The attention was nice.

You’re playing with fire. Best take your own advice, stupid girl. Get some help.

KINSLEY:

Will it get you to go away?

My fingers seemed to have a mind of their own.

REAPER:

No, not likely. But, again, you’re cute. So, tell me, what are you hiding?

KINSLEY:

I’m an international super spy.

REAPER:

Now you’re just being childish and evasive like you were with Marcel. So, I’ll ask again, what are you hiding?

I realized quickly that I was only encouraging his interest with these messages. Switching gears, I resorted to telling him off again.

KINSLEY:

My life is not any of your fucking business. The sooner you understand, the better off we’ll be.

REAPER:

That word again. Is this how you want to play?

KINSLEY:

You’re mental. I’ve told you a hundred times I don’t want to play with you. If you’re looking for friends, I suggest taking up a hobby.

Again, my eyes flicked to the bears, and I knew Autumn would scoff, especially at the play part. She would absolutely call me out for the liar I was.

REAPER:

You’re my new hobby.

And this was where Summer would come to my rescue. She’d tell me to ignore the negative Nancy and help me pick out something to wear for a date with Alek. After all, one date couldn’t hurt, right? I’d have to do it someday, so why not with the blond Viking-like god of a man?

REAPER:

Are you ready for your next question?

---