Page 48 of Devil's Bargain

His eyes meet mine again. “You could say that.”

Of course, now I imagine Rick having sex. I clear my throat, motioning to the small TV. “Are you ready to have your mind blown?”

“Hit me!”

I stiffen, my heart pounding in my chest as I search his face. It takes me a moment to realize that his comment was innocent. I press play, ignoring the unease inside of me.

The famous theme tune starts playing and I feel ridiculous all of a sudden. Why is Rick here, in my tiny house, watching Sailor Moon when he could be out with his friends or fucking some sexy cheerleader? “We don’t have to watch it,” I whisper.

His hazel eyes look almost liquefied as he holds my gaze. “I want to.”

I look away first. “That’s Sailor Moon. She’s the one with the blonde hair, and her lover is Tuxedo Max. Sailor Mars and Sailor Saturn are two of her guardians, but Sailor Mars is one of the originals. Saturn joins them later on.”

When I move my head, he’s already watching me. “Chibiusa is Sailor Moon’s and Tuxedo Max’s daughter from the future—” I trail off. “I’m sorry, this is stupid. I’m boring you.”

He shakes his head. “Not at all.”

This time he breaks eye contact first.

I stare at his profile. God, he’s so handsome with his sharp jaw and tousled hair. His stubble is visible now too. Just.

“Who’s that one?”

I follow his line of sight. “That’s Sailor Mercury. One of the guardians.”

“Do they all have special powers?”

“Yeah. Her special power is hydrokinesis and cryokinesis.”

He looks adorably confused.

“The elemental ability to create, control and manipulate water. Cryokinesis is the ability to reduce the kinetic energy of atoms. Basically, the ability to reduce temperature and control, generate or absorb ice.”

His eyes are back on the screen. “Ice and water. Got it.”

I blush. Me and my mouth. “What are you doing here, Rick?”

“I’m watching Sailor Moon.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

He looks at me. “I’m spending time with a friend.”

“Friend…” I parrot, flicking my eyes between his. My other friends don’t make my clit throb like this.

The TV pulls his attention back. He draws his leg up and rests his elbow on his knee. His jeans probably cost more than everything I own in total.

“Who knows you’re here?”

He doesn’t skip a beat. “No one.”

If I was any other girl, I would feel offended at that. But I’m relieved. “Rick?”

“Hmm?” He meets my gaze.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

He smiles, and it’s all I can do not to climb him. “Me too.”

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