Apocalipstick (Hell in a Handbag Book 1) by Lisa Acerbo (the best e book reader txt) 📗

“Caleb, we need you in the office,” Billy called from the next room, as if not wanting to disturb whatever was going on between them.

With that, he dumped her on the floor and left.

The next day Jenna plotted revenge, offering to play Caleb in monopoly, one of the many abandoned games at the inn. The two turned out to be competitive, and the contest raged on until early morning when Jenna was finally out of all her fake cash and had mortgaged all her property.

“I’ll loan you some money,” he offered.

“I’ll cut my losses and head to bed.”

“You’re no fun. Are you?”

I’m tired is what I am. It’s way past my bedtime. I have horses, a garden, and chores in the morning. Not to mention, I’m still in recovery.”

“Don’t remind me, or I’ll start plotting ways to murder someone in their sleep again.”

“I haven’t laid eyes on him since the incident.”

“Incident? Understatement of the year.”

The duo returned pieces to the box, closed the lid, and put the game back on the shelf. She waved before heading for the door, but he grabbed her hand.

“Let me walk you to your room.”

“Why not.”

“We need to discuss one more thing about the George incident.”

“I don’t want to rehash it anymore. I’m fine.”

“You and I both know there is something seriously wrong with a person who could do that. He could be dangerous for everyone here.”

“The Counsel decided. It’s over. Don’t ruin an otherwise great night.”

Caleb didn’t press about the situation when they climbed the steps. At her door, his lips met hers. He smelled of exotic spices and tasted like honey. She wanted more. His strong hand framed her face, and his lips stole her breath.

When he stepped back, she understood loss.

Gentle fingers traced a heart on her hand. Their lips met again. He reached under her shirt, hand tickling her side and moved to her stomach, accidently touching the scars.

Jenna went rigid.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked.

“This is moving fast. I need some time and to set things right with Quentin. He can’t walk out of his room before I explain what’s going on.”

“We’ll go easy.” His hand under her chin. Her eyes met his. “Don’t ever forget how beautiful you are. You’re Venus, and I’ll wait as long as you want just for a chance to bask in your splendor and taste your lips one more time.”

Why did he say things like that?

He was gone before her hand turned the doorknob.

Their attraction ran deep.

No denying that.

. Whether she admitted it or not, it had been obvious since fighting the Streakers together at the school. For a moment, just one moment, she’d been wrapped in a flame, like a dynamite keg ready for ignition. After tonight, she assumed Caleb had felt the same way and now wanted for her to take the next big step, the serious move forward in her own time.

When she hunkered down to bed, her dreams ran rather randy.

Life turned routine, something long forgotten and wonderfully mundane. The garden, the horses, visits to her sick friend, and time with Caleb all claimed Jenna’s energy. She saw Quentin every day but avoided talking about anything emotional, wanting him to heal. But with every new visit, her discomfort rose. Many times, Aiko sat Quentin’s bed, whispering to Quentin on her arrival and sending her the evil eye until one of them departed. Aiko’s exit strategy usually included a kiss that appeared to be more for Jenna’s benefit than his.

Had Aiko been telling Quentin how much time Jenna and Caleb were spending together? Was she filling him in on other details?

Jenna hadn’t asked Quentin about Aiko only because she wasn’t ready to explain her relationship with Caleb, but it had to be soon. Guilt about not being completely honest made tossing and turning in bed a nightly ritual.

So angry. That woman was the one who had suggested the group let Quentin die, but now she nursed him back to health.

If that wasn’t enough, Aiko fed Quentin information about Caleb out of spite rather than true concern for Quentin’s emotional state. She was sure of it.

Two weeks had passed since the trip to Pittsfield, and it was time to come clean with Quentin. When she arrived, he was out of bed, showered, and sitting in a chair, clean T-shirt over his flannel pajama bottoms.

“I’m so happy to see you up. This is great.” She made her way over to the chair and gave him a hug.

He refused to meet her eyes. “Thanks.”

“Are you okay?”

His hands remained limp at his side. “You don’t have to keep coming to see me. I won’t be offended.”

“I want to be here and love hanging out with you. I’m happy you’re better.” Her hand covered his.

Quentin drew back. “Let’s face the truth.”

“The truth? What truth?”

He gathered his words. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me. I would be dead without you, but even recovering, I worried I might change, be susceptible to the virus from the bite. If that happened, I didn’t want you witness it after all you went through to get the medicine. I might still change.”

“You won’t. People have survived the bite before. We’ve both seen people in the group heal fine when bitten or scratched.”

“We don’t know anything these days. Maybe I am changing now. It could happen years from now. I didn’t want to be close to someone only to lose them, but after Aiko told me about you and Caleb . . .”

“Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut.”

“It was better I found out. At first, I believed it for the best. It would be easiest to let you go, but now I don’t know what I want.”

“What do you mean?”

“What happened to us? We had something real.”

“We have a real friendship. That’s rare.”

“I want to be clear. I can’t be your friend. I’ve been in this stupid bed with nothing to do but think, and I’ve finally got my head straight about this whole situation.”

“I