Demon at My Door by Michelle A. Valentine Read Free Book Online

fills the interior of the vehicle. He hops in the car with the agility of a fine tuned athlete. It’s funny how things work out. I hoped to have friends this year, and my relationship with Stew led me to believe that I was actually going to have a social life. Instead, the cute new guy has stepped into the friend role. Maybe this will show Stew there are guys out there who want to be seen with me. 
    Rick pulls into the parking lot of Drakes’, a local sports bar, and cuts the engine. My muscles tense at the thought of going in that place. “Um, I know you’re new, and as your friend I should tell you this isn’t the best idea,” I say.
    He furrows his brow. “Why?”
    I run my fingers through my hair and stare at the neon “OPEN” sign. “Because this is, like, jock and sorority central. A place I don’t belong.”
    He chuckles. “You worry too much. You belong anywhere you choose to be, Natalie. Besides, it’s just a restaurant, and the asshat crowd doesn’t own this place. Come on. I’m starving.”
    Before I can say another word, Rick is out of the car.  He opens my door and my body stills like the stone statues from the art books I studied earlier.
    He leans in the car and his face is just inches from mine. “Come on. What are you afraid of?”
    I tear my eyes away from his stare almost immediately. “I’m not afraid of those assholes. I just don’t want to hang out with them.”
    He touches my arm. His fingertips are hot on my bare skin. “Then come on. I’m starving.”
    With a little huff, I fumble my way out of the seat belt and follow him into the restaurant. I feel like there are cinder blocks strapped to my legs, and it’s twice as hard to make myself move. The strategically placed cowbell on the door announces our entrance to the rest of the patrons. I lock my eyes on the ground and run my fingers though my hair, wishing it could become a black veil and shield me from prying eyes.
    Rick leads me to a corner booth. I slide onto the red vinyl seat across from him and slouch down, praying for the power of invisibility.
    “Relax, Natalie. No one’s going to kick us out. Trust me,” he says as he hands me a sticky-worn menu.
    “What’ll it be kids?” The red headed waitress appears out of nowhere with her pen and paper ready.
    Rick directs her attention to me. “Natalie?” 
    “Um, a Coke and the hamburger platter,” I say.
    “Make that two,” he adds.
    The sweaty red-faced waitress nods and scurries off to get our order. 
    The front door bell rings and then I hear cackles and chatter coming from somewhere behind me. Rick stares behind me—his eyes set on taking inventory of the people who walked in. Even with my back toward the door, I can tell it’s the crowd I’m trying to avoid. I don’t dare turn around because I can lay money it’s probably me they’re laughing at. And if it is, honestly, I don’t want to know.
    Rick doesn’t take his gaze off the people behind me. He has this intense stare like he could melt them if they crossed him.
    Just as I was going to tell him to stop staring at them before he starts a fight or something he starts to speak. “So what’s your story, Natalie?” 
    With more confidence then I even knew I posses, I lean in close and give my most mischievous grin, hoping to throw his cocky ass off a bit. “You mean you haven’t heard?” I’m little surprised when he rests his elbows on the table, like he’s into the secret I’m about to drop. “I’m crazy.”
    He smirks and leans back in the booth. His tattooed bicep bulges a little as he rests his arm on the back of the booth. He’s totally relaxed in this place, like he could care less that we are in unwanted territory. I study every inch of him that’s on display before me. He has a model face—well defined, strong jaw line, hair any girl would love to tousle around and not to mention that bad boy sleeve of tattoos that cover his right arm. It’s then I notice he has the most