Kings of Anarchy (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #3) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,83

past. If I'd known that would be my last birthday with my dad, I would have treasured each moment more deeply, memorised it more exactly. The memories I had were chipped like damaged china, the edges scuffed and missing pieces. Had his shirt been blue or grey? Did we go on the Batman ride first or the Superman one?

Saint was quiet during his walk and so was I. It wasn't until we were almost back to The Temple that he took one of his headphones out and spoke.

"It's time to return to the rules, siren," he said firmly. "The schedule will restart today. So tonight you will sleep at Monroe's."

I blinked in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"I'm well enough. I don't need mollycoddling anymore," he said sharply then he caught my hand, pulling me to a firm halt.

I frowned as I waited for him to go on, unable to read the twisting vortex in his eyes. Sometimes I knew what he needed on instinct, other times it was completely impossible to read anything from his face at all.

"I am grateful for your..." he paused, a crease forming between his eyes as he struggled with how to finish that sentence.

"Help?" I offered with a hint of amusement in my tone.

"Company," he decided, evidently unable to admit he'd needed anything from me.

"You're welcome." I shrugged, moving to leave but he tugged on my hand to keep me there as the wind blustered around us on the path, the pine trees groaning as they swayed.

"And I've enjoyed your company immensely," he continued, sounding like some eighteenth century gentleman. Which was the strangest thing because it made a weird kind of sense. He was so proper, but I'd still never made the connection before. I guess he could be classed as a soul devouring demon in the body of Mr Darcy though.

My heart warmed at his words and I slid my fingers out of his, stepping closer. His eyes widened as he tried to predict my next move, but clearly couldn't. I tip-toed up, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him gently, careful not to crush his bad arm or his hurt ribs. His breathing hitched and he stiffened in my hold like this kind of touch was repugnant to him, or maybe just alien. But he surprised me again when he folded his good arm around me and held me close. He didn't have to wear the sling anymore, but the cast was still in place with a covering over it made from one of his shirts. Kyan had drawn a large, grotesque squid with tentacles made out of cocks on the cast while he'd been sleeping one night and the rage that had roused in Saint had barely simmered since. Blake had had to hold him down so he didn't rip the whole thing off and I'd made the covering for it so his brain didn’t implode.

I turned my face towards Saint to say I'd enjoyed my time with him too - much to my freaking surprise - but he turned at the same moment and his lips collided with the corner of my mouth. I pulled away in surprise, my mind whirling.

What the fuck? Did he just try to kiss me?

Kissing me surely hadn’t been Saint Memphis' intention. Had it? If it had been anyone else, it would have been obvious. But he was an enigma when it came to intimacy. And he didn't kiss people. But fuck, I wanted him to. I wanted to feel the mouth of the devil on me and see if he tasted like sin itself. I didn't second guess that desire. I just let it flood me and take over.

Heat flushed into my cheeks as I awkwardly moved back into his personal space, seeking out his mouth, but he retreated immediately, his eyes pooling with rage.

"Saint," I said breathily, but he wouldn't look at me. He took another step back, carving out a hole of rejection in my chest.

"Make breakfast," he ordered, falling back on his routine and his freaking rules to save him from this awkwardness.

"Saint," I said again, stern this time but that clearly wasn't a good choice because although he did look at me, it was with a hard wall behind his eyes and a snarl on his lips.

"The rules are back in place, Plague, so if you don't want to be punished, I suggest you move right fucking now."

I gaped at him, scolded by him using that name against me. My