Demon Kissed - Katie May Page 0,86

all of the guys to play Animal Parade and follow him through the house. Van was a kangaroo, Raz was a duck, Akor was a bunny with very prominent front teeth, Zolroth was an elephant, and Kastros was a bear. It was the epitome of hilarious and adorable as they all went through every room in the house, even flying Adam down into the pit to march around the column of fire three times. Because in Adam-logic, things needed to be done in threes. I followed them the entire time, wishing that I could record the moment. Zolroth eventually surprised me by buying me the newest iPhone, but when I begged them to reenact their zoo parade, all of the guys vehemently declined.

Besides the vast improvement in my home life, things seemed better at school too.

Stacy’s more popular friends have started talking to me, which they never did before. This morning, I even got invited to sit with them at lunch.

My heart pounds as I carry my sack lunch, complete with a little note from Kastros each day, to the popular kids’ table. Stacy has saved me a seat. And on the other side of the saved seat sits—I freeze in terrified awe—William Washington.

He looks scrumptious today, his hair ruffled by the wind, wearing a rowing sweatshirt over his uniform, eating an apple like he’s a damned snake and this cafeteria is Eden.

I swallow hard before sliding into my seat.

Stacy turns to me and waggles her eyebrows underneath her bangs. That damn, scheming bitch! She did this on purpose. And I both love her and hate her for it.

“Hey, Kat. How was Calc?” she asks, innocently opening a piece of string cheese as if she didn’t just say my name too loudly in order to get William’s attention.

“It was fine,” I mutter, feeling a raging blush creep up my cheeks.

On my other side, William turns in our direction, and I can feel his gaze lock onto me like it’s the bullseye of a gun.

“Hey, Katrina, ready for our big trip this afternoon?” William asks, those honey-brown eyes even more gorgeous today than they’ve ever been.

“Yeah.” I stick with a one-word answer and a smile in an attempt to prevent the word vomit that seems to afflict me whenever I try to talk to him.

“So, what are these tournaments usually like?” He leans back in his chair and directs his full attention at me.

I pause in the middle of opening my lunch bag. “Um, I’ve never been to an out-of-state tournament before.” I’m simultaneously embarrassed to admit that because I’ve been on the team since freshman year and delighted that I didn’t say anything awkward, like about the fact that I’m currently wearing a thong.

William’s eyes light up, and he leans closer. I can actually smell his toothpaste and its minty, spicy freshness as he whispers, “Is the thong like a winning ritual? We have a lot of little rituals in rowing, but I think I like yours better.”

Fuck my life with a cracked glass dildo.

William starts to laugh. “That’s a new one. I didn’t know you were so funny, Katrina.” He bites his lip, and it’s totally adorable. Normally, it would send me into fits of swooning, but maybe I’m still so embarrassed that the dildo thing popped out that I can’t properly fan the flames of passion.

“Hey, do you want to sit together on the drive down?”

Wait. What? Has Hell opened up and taken over?

“I thought you would want to sit with Janie,” I hedge.

Stacy kicks me under the table for not immediately saying yes. She’s totally eavesdropping like a good best friend so we can dissect this conversation like a frog later.

William gives a non-committal little shrug. “Janie and I…we’re not serious or anything. Plus, I could really use a study buddy.”

His leg nudges mine under the table, and I can feel his pants rubbing against the bare skin of my leg because my skirt is so short.

“Okay,” I squeak out.

“Katrina!” Raz bellows from somewhere behind me.

I turn to see him smoldering. What’s wrong? Did something happen to Adam? I can’t imagine what else might put such a furious look on his face.

I quickly stand, grabbing my lunch, and hurry over to him, very aware that William’s eyes are currently trailing over the back of my legs and my very short skirt.

“What is it?” I whisper between my teeth, heart thudding with fear.

“Did you forget your lunch detention!” Raz booms loudly, for the benefit of the other students.

My