Came Back Haunted (Experiment in Terror #10) - Karina Halle Page 0,26
against the door again.
I open my eyes, expecting Maximus to be gone but no.
He’s still right there.
Clear as day.
Staring at me with an amused twist to his mouth.
“How is this possible?” I whisper.
“Because it is,” he says, taking a step toward me, running a hand through his red hair.
“You’re…you’re dead. I saw you die.”
“Very true.”
I remember the demon that was in Michael, Dex’s brother, and how easy it was for it to take his form. “How do I even know it’s you? This isn’t you. This can’t be you.”
“I reckon I can prove it,” he says, green eyes glimmering.
Before I know what’s happening, he leans in and kisses me on the lips.
A hard, wet kiss.
Oh my god.
Okay, so it does kiss like him, and really this is such a Maximus thing to do.
“What the fuck?” I cry out softly, pushing back against his chest. Even in death, he’s still built like a tree and isn’t going anywhere. “I’m married now, you jerk.”
“Perry, what is going on?” Dex yells.
You don’t want to fucking know.
Maximus smirks. “I’m well aware that you’re Mrs. Dex Foray now. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate that tattoo you got on your ribs. Very touching. Guess I meant more to you than I thought I did.”
I can’t even with this.
I lick my lips, trying to find my voice again. “You did. You do. I mean…just try not to kiss me again, okay?”
Like, holy fuck. Is this really him?
Tears spring to my eyes and Maximus gives me a sympathetic look in response.
“Perry?” Dex says again, his voice more worried now. “Who are you talking to?”
“No one. Just a minute,” I tell him, disappearing into my head now, making sure my thoughts are blocked from Dex.
Tell me again why I can’t open that door and let Dex see you? I ask Maximus. Why can’t he know you’re here?
Because only you can see me, he answers.
Then how do I know this is real?
Want me to kiss you again?
Don’t you fucking dare.
He grins. I have a connection with you and you alone.
You have a connection with Dex. A much deeper one.
Not in the way I have with you, he says, giving me a heated, poignant look. If you catch my drift.
What? I say, trying to think. Oh my god. Why, because I had sex with you?
He shrugs. You have a way about you, Perry. You have no idea.
I shake my head. I slept with Maximus, like ages ago, when I wasn’t even in my right mind, so now I have a connection with him? Is that…is that why I was able to get Dex back from Hell? If I had done the same for Max, would that have worked too?
I’m not sure, he says, reading my thoughts. Either way, you didn’t have a choice in the matter. You had to leave me. If you stayed a second longer in that house, you both would have died. For good.
I raise my brow, keeping the light focused on his green flannel shirt. Even dead, he’s still wearing plaid. For good, for good, or like how you died for good?
I’m still dead, short stuff, he says, folding his arms.
Then why are you so…real? So here?
Ask Jacob.
I give him a sharp look. Jacob? Why?
He’s the one who brought me here. This is as far as I can go. With him, anyway…
This makes no sense.
I don’t make the rules.
I’m starting to think no one makes the rules. Not even Jacob.
Feels like it, doesn’t it?
“Perry,” Dex says again. “Please. Talk to me. What are you doing? I can hear you out there. That is you, isn’t it?”
“I’m here,” I say absently. “I’m fine.”
You better go to him, Maximus says, stepping away from the door. Poor guy will have a literal meltdown.
I frown at him, not liking his choice of words, considering he’s seen many of Dex’s meltdowns over the years. And so then what? I’m just supposed to keep you a secret?
Do what you like, he says. But I reckon it’s best he figures this out on his own. Come back another time and we’ll see what happens.
But what then? You’re just going to be here in the meantime? In this house?
This is my home now, he says matter-of-factly.
Forever?
Unless someone brings me out.
Meaning me?
He gives me a sad smile. Wish things were that simple.
Then he brushes past me, that cinnamon smell wafting over me, and disappears into the dark. I shine my flashlight, but all I see is dust dancing in the air.