Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble by M.M. Crumley

Author:M.M. Crumley [Crumley, M.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lone Ghost Publishing
Published: 2024-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Much, much later, as Julian was gently kissing the top her shoulder, Tessa began to slowly drift out of her anti-pain daze. And only because she could see out her window, and she could tell that it was nearing sundown. At some point she really did have to work.

"You're thinking again," Julian murmured.

His very talented hand was idly tracing her naked hip, and she wanted to touch him as well, but instead she rolled away.

"Nothing lasts forever," he said with a sigh.

"I have things," she said regretfully.

"Do those things include a shower?" he asked.

They hadn't, but now they did.

"Maybe," she shrugged.

"What can I do to turn that maybe into a definitely?"

"Carry me there?" Tessa joked.

"Done."

Julian rolled off the bed and, despite Tessa's laughing protests, picked her up and carried her into the shower.

It was well past sunset when Tessa and Julian sneaked down the servants' staircase and out into the alley.

"Someday I'd like to see the family staircase in the daytime," Julian said as they walked across the alley to the garage.

"It's not that impressive, you know," Tessa said. "And it greatly increases the chances that Gisele will spot you."

"What's so bad about that?" Julian asked as he pulled her towards him and stepped forward at the same time so that her back was pressed against the wall. "I kinda like Gisele," he added as he kissed the side of Tessa's neck.

Tessa didn't respond. She couldn't even remember what they were talking about. When Julian's hands were touching her, she lost track of everything, but it was voluntary. She wanted to lose track of everything; she wanted the only thing she could think about to be him.

She kissed him one last time, then pushed him away.

"I have to work," she said firmly.

"It's no wonder Pops loves you," he laughed. "Go on then. I'll find my own way home."

"You don't want a ride?" she asked.

"No," he replied with a wink. "I have things."

With surprising gentleness, he kissed her forehead and said, "Don't forget to eat." Then he disappeared into the darkness of the alley.

She stared after him for a moment, and then she continued into the garage, got into her car, and started the drive across town.

She didn't know what was happening to her, and she wasn't sure if she liked it. She'd never cared about people before. Maybe she'd been scared they would leave her like Doc and Ollie had. Maybe she'd been scared she'd report on them and the patron would make them feel pain the way he did to her. Maybe it was a little of both. But now that Virgil was dead, now that she was finally uncovering all the layers of deceit that had kept her bound for so many years, she was almost free to care.

Almost.

She still didn't trust herself, and she was still afraid that in a weak moment she would betray them all. She knew that she would never be able to live with herself if she did though, so she wouldn't. The patron could have her, but he could never have them.

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