I split my fingers up enough to look through them, and Malek’s face was unreadable. Inquisitive, yes…but I could almost detect a hint of busted pride. I never told him about it. I didn’t wanna have to explain my real reason why he couldn’t be here around my family. I didn’t expect this, and I wasn’t even planning to stay for dinner tonight.
“Uh, Mom? We’ve—” I met eyes with him, trying not to look so shameful. “We’ve got dinner plans. Sorry.”
“You’re not staying for the service?” Dad asked.
“Not this time. Reservations.” I whirled on Greg. “You got this covered?” He stuck his hands on his hips, smirking like an ass, and nodded. “Great, we’ll see you later.”
I grabbed Malek’s elbow and barreled out the doors and towards the back part of the house, out of earshot. Once I figured we were safe, we stood by the back door, looking at each other.
“What’s for dinner?” he asked, very pleased with himself.
“Was that whole charade about hijacking my life supposed to be taken as a warning? How did you even know about this?”
He crossed his arms and shot me a look. “That wasn’t a charade, number one. Number two, you told me about it on the phone. You needed a delivery guy? I made myself one. A thank you would be nice at the very least, but I also accept chocolate and sexual favors…orboth.”
“Thank you. That doesn’t answer the obvious. How’d you know which casket? Where to go get it? How’d you evengetit here? You strap it to the hood like a deer?”
“Beidh mé mallaithe, a bhean…”
“English,please.”
He snorted and shook his head, staring down at the floor. “I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you to be upset about it. I’m not really good at this whole wooing thing, okay? You needed my help. I’m not busy. I hacked into your computer and got the information, and they let me borrow their van. I’ve gotta be back to get the Nova by seven.”
Now, I just feel like an asshole.
“I’m not upset, I just—I…”
“Since we’re on the subject of charades, you wanna tell me ‘bout therealreason you didn’t mention dinner last night? Your Ma doesn’t seem that upset that she saw me out front.”
“I might not have told you about dinner, but I did tell you why. They’re waiting on this kind of shit, Malek. I don’t wanna play house at my family’s dinner table with a—” I paused, catching myself, and he looked up.
“With akiller?”
“Malek, I—”
“It’s okay, Seven. You can say it, ‘cause that’s what Iam. Thing is, it’s not somethin’ I’m ashamed of, and I’m morethan just that part of me. I thought you of all people would understand that.”
I hugged myself. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You know what it means. It’s the reason you’re fightin’ this off. Truth is, youarea perfect ten to those blokes…until it comes to one of the biggest parts of you that you’re not ashamed of. You’re strong enough not to let it diminish who you are. Me? I don’t see a single flaw. We’re the perfect amount of dark and insane. I seeeverypart. And I meant it when I said you’re perfect.”
The doorknob in my throat was getting hard to swallow around. I think I’ve hurt him, and I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what todo.
Malek’s finger was rough against the underside of my chin, and he tilted it up, just like the night I met him. I felt my heart doing flips when he leaned in and the heat of his body started to blend in with mine.
“If you’re not able to see all the other parts of me that I shamelessly wear on my sleeve, lass…I’m happy to break it down for you. I’m honest. Sometimes, as brutally as my kills. You’re wrong about me not knowin’ love. I love just as hard as I fuck. I’m nothin’ if not loyal, Seven Grey, and I might be a horrible singer, but it comes straight from my black heart. I knew you were mine the minute I looked into those eyes, and I’ll do whatever it takes to put a smile on that face, even if I have to dig my own grave to do it.” His breath skated over my chin, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “I’m gonna go take this rapist van back. It’s not doin’ much for my image.”
This dude…I swear.
I locked up when his mouth ended up swallowing mine without warning. I think I kissed him back without even really meaning to. It felt seamless and as raw as uncut heroine, and…fuck, what iswrongwith me? I reached into his hair, gripping itand found myself pushed against the wall next to the back door. It was tongues and teeth and harsh, sexy breathing and…yeah, I’m lost.
He broke away, panting, and I watched that tongue slip over that piercing.
“Feicfidh mé go luath thú, a Nathair Bheag.”
His hand twisted on the doorknob, and he closed it behind him, leaving me breathless and wet between the fucking legs in the middle of the hallway. I don’t have a clue what he just said, but I could have eaten it with a spoon, when usually…I’d rather stab him with one. When I finally got my shit together and walked out the back door, he was nowhere to be seen.
Every word he said to me was still ringing in my ears when I unlocked my door and found Bridget chopping vegetables at the kitchen island. Every word…and what he went out of his way to do today. Even if hacking into our computer system was a bit much.
