Forbidden Fruit (Shannon Cheney) - By Ann Aguirre Page 0,21

that, and the air feels clear between us. We’re not together, exactly, but we’re in the sweet anticipatory stage where desire flares like a bottle rocket and lights the sky with promise.

At the midway point, he squeezes an arm around my shoulder. “Stop thinking about sex. It’s distracting.”

“I guarantee nothing.”

In fact, he sleeps on the couch with me. I suspect his neck hurts in the morning because we drifted off snuggled up with his arm about me. Jesse rushes around getting ready, and I can tell he feels awful that he has to run, and he can’t take me to work, but I don’t have to be there for three more hours. So I hang out at his place until it’s time for my shift, then I catch the bus as usual.

I come in through the employee entrance and draw up short when I step into the food court. Strangely, there’s a man sitting at one of the tables, even though none of the stands are open yet. He’s not eating, either, or reading a magazine. He’s just…waiting. There’s a niggling familiarity about him, but I can’t place the memory—and when I try, that old sharp pain surges forth. The last few days have been weird enough that I pull my radio out of my backpack. Better to look like an oddball than to be caught defenseless.

“You won’t need that, Shannon.”

What’s with all of these guys knowing my name?! I stop, narrowing my eyes. “Who the hell are you?”

From this distance, I can see that his skin isn’t quite right, either, but it’s not as bad as the old woman or the man who was following me at the market. He clasps his hands before him, like that will reassure me.

“I’m here to offer you a deal,” he says.

“I’ll just bet.”

“What if I told you I could restore all your lost memories? How much is that worth to you?”

“A lot,” I answer, before I can stop myself.

Dammit. I just gave up some leverage.

“Excellent.” The man looks dreadfully pleased. “And what if I told you that regaining your memories means losing Jesse Saldana forever?”

Shit. Is that his price? I’m familiar enough with the concept to realize I’m being offered a demonic bargain. There’s always an awful aspect to the deal, but they don’t usually spell it out for you upfront.

Yet I don’t even have to think about it. “Forget it. I’ll handle the uncertainty. I won’t live without Jesse.”

“That’s exactly what I told them you’d say,” he murmurs.

When I turn, he’s already gone.

Nine

The week ends without further complications. This makes me nervous because demons have been all up in my business, whatever that is. I imagine it’s related to the memories I’ve lost. Since they want Jesse as the price for getting them back, well, it’s not happening. I’ll deal with this some other way.

I don’t see Jesse until the following Saturday, though he sends regular texts, so I know he’s thinking of me. And I hope he’s contemplating our situation. But I’m trying not to be pushy. He has to want this as much as I do.

Early on Saturday afternoon, he calls me. “I’ll be at your place in half an hour. Pack a bag.”

“I’m not moving in with you. What if the sex is terrible? I’ll have to take all my stuff home again, and I’m opposed to so much extra work.”

“Stop trying to sidetrack me, woman. I know I’m supposed to want to prove my prowess now.”

“And don’t you?” I ask softly.

“Dammit, Shan. Later.” He sounds equal parts amused and turned on. “We’ve got a meeting with Twila tonight.”

She’s the woman who runs Texas. I’ve never met her, but I’m told she’s the most powerful person in the whole state, so far as the supernatural community is concerned. Whether you’re a witch, warlock, wizard, Gifted, or demon, you owe Twila fealty. I probably should’ve gone to see her when I first arrived, but I had other things on my mind, like not being homeless or unemployed.

“Does she know about my gift?”

“Twila knows everything, but she’ll ask a steep price for her information.”

“If I can afford it, I’ll pay. And…I’m getting my stuff together now. Gotta go.”

I hang up on him again, something that gives me inordinate pleasure. The background noise made me think he was in the car when he called, so I hurry through packing. I take enough for an overnight stay: clean panties, bra, fresh outfit. The combat boots I’m wearing will work tomorrow, so I