Devil Inside by Brandy Isaacs Read Free Book Online Page B

found her mouth dry.  “OK.”
                  “For some reason, though, I’m finding it hard to go.”  His voice was playful, but held a slight gravel that hinted that he wasn’t happy about feeling compelled to stay.
                  Harley scowled at him, “Well, if you need to go you should go.  You don’t have to stay on my account.”
                  He gave her a small smile.  “I didn’t mean it that way.  I’m not blaming you.  I just—I don’t know.  I feel like I need to do something still and I haven’t figured out what it is yet.”  After a brief pause he looked at her, “I’m glad I’ve gotten to pass the time with you while I’m here.  But if I haven’t figured out why I’m still here soon—I’ll need to go ahead and go.”
                  Harley had realized that he didn’t make eye contact without a reason.  He would look at her, but unless it was during sex, or one of the rare times he was saying something really important, he usually looked at her mouth or past her.  He made eye contact with her now.  A small bit of sadness lurked behind the toughness in his eyes.  He looked away, staring out into the night as if he was searching for something.
                  He let go of a breath he had been holding.  “I meant what I said when we first met.  I’m really not someone you should get involved with.  I’m never in one place for very long.”
                  Harley rolled her eyes, “Haven’t you learned yet?  I do what I want.  Even if I regret it in the long run,” she laughed.
                  Harley ignored the warning; she didn’t feel the need to interrogate him.  She didn’t feel the need to seek explanations.  He was being honest with her.  If he had to go, he had to go and she could tell he was bothered by it.  Their relationship may be based primarily on sex, but he was considerate and nice.  He didn’t speak for her and he didn’t get mad if she talked to other guys.  He asked her light, conversational questions about her day.  He asked her opinions on food and movies.  Harley felt that he appreciated her and respected her for who she was.  They were simple considerations—but not always common in guys—especially the tough acting ones.  She just always felt comfortable and appreciated around Levi.  She tried very hard to not let their dynamic make an impression on her, but she was fighting a losing battle.  She knew it would be hard when he left.
                  Finally, Levi turned away from the railing and kissed her forehead.  She watched him walk to his bike and roar away.  She wearily rubbed her face and turned to go inside.  As she did so, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye.  It was off to the side near the small copse of trees to the right of their driveway.  She peered into the darkness trying to discern what it was that she had seen.  It seemed like the darkness itself had moved—or as if someone wearing all black had been hiding in the trees.  After she didn’t see anything else she convinced herself that it must have been an animal.  This late at night—or early in the morning—it was easy to let the shadows play tricks with your imagination.  But, just in case she made sure that all of the doors and windows were locked before dragging herself upstairs and plopping into bed.
                  Several hours later she woke up for good when Jamie came banging into her room.
                  “Good afternoon!” she sang and jumped into the bed with Harley.
                  “Ugh, what are you doing,” she groaned.
                  “Get up!  We are going shopping today, remember?”
                  “Again, I say—ugh!”
                  “Hey, we have been planning this all week.  You knew that when you decided to stay up and party