Tags:
Romance,
Fantasy,
Contemporary,
Family,
Paranormal,
Social Media,
Twitter,
Anthology,
demons,
Angels,
Devil,
Entangled,
child,
indulgence,
Novella,
charity,
Chef,
autism,
ever after,
Flirt
like a personal gopher. Whitney used her in more ways than she could count. Even sweet Mrs. Perkins wasn’t above using her.
“I’ve traveled around the world and have seen a lot of strange, unexplainable things. Plus I’ve seen you work. You’re efficient and level-headed. If you say this is the Devil, then I believe you.” His words held no hint of sarcasm or mocking.
“Thank you.” She slid her phone back into her purse. “Really, it means a lot that you believe me.”
He stepped forward, making her look up at him. “I like you, Faye.”
What did he mean by that? Was it a Hey, let’s get a beer and throw darts like, or an I want to kiss you like? She swallowed hard. “I like you, too, Christopher.”
His gaze wandered across her face as if searching for meaning in her words. She held her breath. Please kiss me. Please kiss me.
“I’d better finish up so Mr. Adams can get to work.” He smiled, stepped away, and snapped off several quick shots of her.
“The church.” She shooed him with her hands. “Not me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ma’am?” She walked to the door. “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”
His laughter followed her outside.
Chapter Three
Saturday Afternoon
On the ride back to the city they discussed possible solutions to Faye’s devil problem, but neither she nor Christopher came up with any brilliant plans. The car turned down 42 nd street and Faye caught sight of a small shop squeezed between a large store and a church.
She leaned forward in the seat. “Roger, can you stop here?”
The car veered to the side and screeched to a halt. Horns blared around them and Faye slammed backward into Christopher’s solid chest. His hands clamped onto her breasts and held her against him. A thrill of pleasure rushed through her, then mortification set in. She stiffened, waiting for him the release her, but he didn’t remove his hands.
“Christopher?”
His voice whispered against her ear. “Yes?”
“Can I have my boobs back?” Several seconds passed before he released his hold. She sat forward. “Thanks.”
“No, thank you.”
Dang, she really shouldn’t be so thrilled that he’d enjoyed groping her. How long had it been? College, freshman year? She straightened her bag and gave him a strained smile.
“Do you want me to wait for you, Ms. Albert?” Roger said over the front seat.
“No, I can catch the subway from here.” The look of disappointment on his face almost made her change her mind, but she had evil things to vanquish. “You’ve been invaluable today.”
“If you need anything, just give me a call.” He produced a shiny black business card and handed it to her. “Anything at all.”
She pinched the corner of the card, making sure not to touch his fingers and took it. He was looking at her the same way the creepy guy in the coffee shop had, intense and unblinking. “Thank you. I will.” Not.
Christopher opened the door, slid out, and offered her his hand. “I’m coming with you.”
Faye hesitated. It hadn’t been a question. Warmth spread through her fingers and up her arm when she touched his hand. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but of all the weird reactions she’d gotten from people today, his seemed most believable. Everybody else grated on her, as if they were all in on some private joke, trying to make her believe they found her attractive.
“Thank you.” She let go and pointed to the shop. “I’m going in there.”
He silently read the sign and nodded. “Can’t hurt.”
A small bell over the door jingled as Faye pushed open the door. Cool air enveloped her. The heavy glass door whooshed shut behind her, locking out the street noise and sealing her and Christopher inside. Amazing Grace wafted from the speakers mounted on the ceiling. He stopped beside her.
Crucifixes of every shape and size hung on peg board along one wall. A display of rosary beads dominated a table in the center of the aisle. Faye inched forward,
Learning to Kill: Stories