The Raven Series 2 (13 page)

My body warmed in a hundred places, close to feverish. I’d say I made a full recovery. “I feel like I’ve been to both Hell and Heaven in one night.”

“We keep complicating things. I don’t know how to stay away from you.”

“I don’t want you to.” But I could see the resolve in the lines on his face. Things were not going any further. My body was aching for his touch.

He moved closer, extending an arm, and I curled against his body. “This is bigger than just you and me,” he said.

I wanted to stay like this, tangled up with him all night. Having him here beside me was enough. It’s all I wanted. I nestled my head in the space between his shoulder and neck. “I know, but for tonight, can it just be us?”

He murmured something Celtic against my hair as he spoke. “Try to get some rest, princess,” he added.

How was I supposed to sleep when my innards were still buzzing? I smiled, placing a hand over his heart. Before I knew it, I’d drifted back to sleep in the deepest, calmest rest I’d had in weeks.

***

It was the scent of coffee that roused me, that and a husky laugh. My eyes fluttered open. I was half lying on top of Zane, my head resting on his shoulder and a hand balled on his shirt, as if I was afraid he might leave in the middle of the night. There was this complete harmony inside me, and I didn’t care about my morning bedhead or bad breath. I stretched, not ready to fully wake from this satisfying haze of sleep.

And might not have, had a knock not sounded on the door, followed by Parker’s voice. “You better be up, Pipes. It took me almost an hour to find your room.”

My eyes locked with Zane’s.
OhmyGodno.
Then I shoved him over the side of the bed, dumping his ass on the ground. “You’ve got to get out of here,” I whispered frantically.

He glared up at me from the floor, sexily rumpled from sleep. I couldn’t believe he’d stayed all night. I couldn’t believe I pushed him out of the bed. If Parker found us together…

“Piper?” Parker called again. “Are you okay? Did you fall out of bed?”

“Uh. Um, hang on,” I yelled, jumping out from under the covers, my eyes darting over the room. Zane had stood up, eyes thinned to slits. “Hurry,” I whispered, pushing at his back and steering him to the balcony. “Get out of here before he sees you.”

“Would it be the worst thing if he did?” Zane grumbled, not bothering to lower his voice.

I covered his mouth with my hand. “Shhhh. He might hear you.”

He took a nip out of my palm and my eyes darkened. I hated seeing him go, and if Parker wasn’t banging on my door right now, I would have dragged Zane back to bed and kept him hostage for the entire day. Shaking my head, I opened the door and shoved at his chest. “Go.” Quickly closing the door with Zane smirking on the other side, I glanced over his face one last time before I whipped the curtains in place, covering the glass.

FML.

Chapter 14

“Piper?” There was genuine concern in his voice. He was probably on the verge of busting the door down.

I padded across the room and threw the door open. Parker stood with to-go cups of coffee in each hand. I ran my hand over my hair, pushing loose strands out of my face. “Sorry, I had to pee.”

If Parker thought I was acting completely crazy, I would agree with him. My head wasn’t on straight, and I was blaming Zane. Parker handed me a cup, stepping into the room, and glanced around. “I know how you can’t function without this and how much you love to sleep in.”

I let the paper cup warm my hands. “Thanks.”

“Were you talking to yourself? I swear I heard voices.”

“It was probably the radio.” The lie rolled off my lips, but I quickly turned to more concerning matters. “You went out on your own?” Panic tripped over my heart. He could have been hurt, easy pickings for the hallows or someone who wanted to cause me pain.

“Yeah, early riser and all.” He took a sip of his drink, which I was a hundred percent sure was straight black coffee. “You were right. This place is…quaint.”

Quaint wasn’t what came to mind when I thought of Raven Hallow. Terminal. Toxic. Prison. “Parker, you should have woken me up.”

“And risked your morning wrath? No thanks.” He took another swig from his cup. “You know, there are people who drink real coffee and then they’re those who drink froufrou drinks.”

“Hey, there is nothing wrong with cinnamon dolce,” I argued.

He scrunched his nose. “It smells like Christmas threw up in your cup.”

I took a sip. “Mmm, it’s perfect. Thank you by the way. For the drink.”

Leaning a shoulder on the nearest wall, he smoothly asked, “So, what are we doing today?”

I bristled. “Um, well. I kind of already have something planned for today. I didn’t know you were coming.”

“That’s cool. I’ll just tag along.”

I choked on my coffee. “It’s not a big deal. I’m sure you’ll be bored out of your mind, and I will only be gone a few hours. You could explore the manor. Take a swim. Walk the beach.” Anything, as long as it kept Parker away from the Black Crow, where I was supposed to meet Zoe for another riveting lesson.

Parker was used to accompanying me anywhere. He was like a puppy, always following behind me. “It doesn’t matter where we go. I came to see you.”

Internally, I groaned. There was no way I could say no, not without raising suspicion, or making me feel extreme guilt. Dammit all. “The country club.”

“Excuse me.” He pretended to clean his ears out. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.”

I rolled my eyes. “If you make fun of me, this froufrou drink is going to end up on your head.”

He laughed. “I wouldn’t think of it. What are we doing at the
country club
?” he asked in a hoity-toity voice. “Not that I have anything against membership-only clubs. I’m just having a hard time imagining the Piper I know rubbing noses with the elite.”

“It’s not like that. Trust me. And Rose was a member.” She’d been more than a member.

The mention of Rose had the expression on his face sobering. “I still can’t believe it. I know you harbored some intense feelings toward Rose, but it sounds like you were beginning to let her in. And I know how hard that is for you.”

I took my coffee and sat down on the window seat. After what happened with my mom, Parker had been the only person I could open up to. This time, it was different. Maybe it was me that had changed, but regardless, things had shifted. Parker couldn’t be my crutch, and I felt the pain of another loss. “I don’t think I can take losing another person I care about.”

“You’re the strongest person I know, Pipes,” he said, seeing my crestfallen face, but misreading the hurt.

I fiddled with my cup, not looking up. “If anything happened to you—”

He sat down beside me, putting a hand on my knee. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I swallowed. As long as he was on this island and near me, he wasn’t safe, but I couldn’t tell him that. Knowing Parker and his good guy attitude, he wouldn’t leave my side, even if the world were collapsing around us. “I forgot how awesome it is having you around,” I said, a half smile on my lips. Parker had this way of making me feel better, making me feel like I could do anything.

His face relaxed. “You’re probably the only person in the world who thinks I’m awesome.”

“Then the rest of the world sucks. How many times have I told you that?”

“I’ve lost count.”

“Okay, you know what? Change of plans. We’re going to spend the day together, doing whatever you want to do.” I surrendered even though I knew it was going to bite me in the ass.

“Are you sure? I know you have responsibilities to take care of.”

“One day won’t make a difference.” Or so I hoped. “Give me ten minutes and then I’m all yours.”

He beamed, the sun lighting up the side of his face as he looked up at me. His “boy next door” smile and puppy eyes could melt hearts of mothers everywhere. He was the type of guy parents wanted their daughters to date. Wholesome. Honest. Dependable. My Parks.

As soon as I was alone, I sent a text to Zoe, letting her know our lesson was going to have to be rescheduled due to Parker being in town.

Boy BFF Parker?
She texted back.

The one and the same.

Oh goodie. Fresh meat.

I scowled at my phone. Parker was not meat of any kind, especially to Zoe.
Off-limits.

She sent me a pouty emoticon, along with,
Don’t be a boy hog. You can’t have them all.

It seemed like I was ensnarled with three guys, but that was never my intention. I didn’t even know how I ended up here.
It’s not like that.

Uh-huh. Have fun. TTYL.

I rolled my eyes. Didn’t she understand I didn’t want Parker mixed up with this part of my life? I was a complete mess. My life was a mess. Parker shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be a banshee. And I didn’t know what to do about any of it.

This was wrong.

I
should
go tell Parker I’m not feeling well and insist we stay home. But I couldn’t bring myself to squash his enthusiasm.

Foregoing makeup, since I’d wasted five minutes texting Zoe, I tossed on a pair of shorts and ran a brush through my tangled curls. My eyes glanced over the rumpled bed as I was about to set out. It was hard to believe less than an hour ago I’d been fully absorbed with Zane. I could still smell him on my skin, a scent that lingered.

Parker and I spent the whole day goofing off and exploring the island. It was refreshing seeing the seaside town from his perspective. Everything was cute and charming, where all I saw was death and disaster. He thought it was so freeing being at the edge of the world. I’d never felt more caged, the reminder of who I was never far as my shadows squawked overhead. It was both a nuisance and a comfort.

“The birds here are crazy,” Parker commented, glancing up. “Those two black crows have been following us all day.”

I stubbed my toe on the pier. “Ouch. Dammit,” I swore, hobbling on one foot.

He grinned. “It’s nice to know some things never change.”

“What? Like me being a klutz?”

“Exactly.”

I scowled. “You better watch yourself or you’re going to end up wet with a mouth full of saltwater.”

Parker looked over the side of the pier. “I’d rather not take a dip right now. Fish freak me out.”

I laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the ocean.”

“I’m not afraid. I just don’t like squishy, slimy things.” He had this horrified look on his face.

“Does that mean you don’t want sushi for dinner?” I teased. Parker hated sushi.

His skin tinged slightly green, or it could have been the waning light. “I think I’m gonna hurl.”

Looping my arm through his, we started down the pier toward my car. I’d had a carefree day, and it had been long overdue. Zoe and Zach cornered us just as we were hopping into Josie, giving me such a fright I almost punched Zoe. “Zoe, you were two seconds away from a bloody nose.”

“Hello to you too, girlfriend.” She leaned into the window, a curve to her cherry lips. Dark curls framed her slender face, tumbling over her shoulders. “And you must be the BFF.”

Parker’s eyes bulged behind his glasses. I couldn’t blame him. Zoe was drop dead gorgeous. If he didn’t get all tongue-tied around her, I might question his manhood. “P-Parker,” he faltered.

Zoe studied him from head to toe, taking in his manga T-shirt and worn jeans. “Cute. You’re definitely coming with us. I need a distraction.”

Parker’s cheeks heated in adorable way that made me want to pinch the sides of his face. “Zoe,” I growled. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s your birthday in”—she stuck her head into the car, glancing at the dash—“five hours. Zach and I are here to ensure that your eighteenth birthday is one you’ll remember. You deserve it, because with it comes a hefty price tag.”

“What do you have in mind?” I asked, skeptical of any idea the twins had. They could take double trouble to a new level.

“There is a rave tonight at Atmosphere screaming your name,” Zach said, eyes twinkling. “Perfect for a wild birthday night.”

Ugh. They knew my weakness. I nibbled on my lip, thinking about Parker. The smart thing to do would be to go home and have a quiet night watching movies with Parker. But the idea of going to a club sparked a longing. Bright lights. Pumping bass. Dancing. A chance to let my hair down. I turned to Parker and raised my brows. “It’s up to you.”

Zoe turned her violet-blue eyes on Parker, batting her insanely long lashes. I didn’t think there was a guy who could resist that look. Even I was a little bit awestruck. “Of course he wants to go, don’t you?”

Parker was putty in Zoe’s paws. His lips lifted into a grin. “Pipes’s birthday. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Pipes,” she squealed in excitement. “You even have an adorable nickname for her.” She grinned. “Well, that’s settled. Let’s go have ourselves a little fun. What do ya say, Parks?”

I groaned.

Parker drooled.

“Meet us there in an hour. Oh, and ditch the birds,” she whispered, eyes rotating to the sky.

Easier said than done.

Forty-five minutes later, I’d dug out a pair of dark jeans and a red crop top. I was adding the finishing touches of makeup when Parker appeared freshly showered in my doorway, wearing a new manga T-shirt.

“Wow. You look…different,” he said, his whiskey eyes running over my face.

“How so?” I asked, curious to know what he saw. Physically, I thought I looked the same, except for the little white raven on my wrist, but Parker shouldn’t be able to see the mark.

He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Did you cut your hair?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s definitely working for you.” He stared at me for another moment. “You look…really, really great.”

I stood up, slipping my feet into my favorite pair of midrise boots. “Was that a compliment?”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

I grinned. Seeing Parker like this made me think of old times. How easy it would be to slip back into a life before Raven Hallow. And I realized for tonight, that was what I wanted. One bomb-ass night like the many Parker and I’d had together.

However, that burst of nostalgia didn’t last long. As we got back in my Jeep, doubt slithered inside me. I was beginning to wonder if I was making a gigantic mistake. Parker at Atmosphere? This club wasn’t like the others in Chicago. It was a club filled with reapers, some of the most deadly beings on Earth. I must be insane.

“What are we waiting for?” Parker asked as I spaced out.

For pigs to fly.
I stuck the key into the ignition and let it rip. The entire drive to Atmosphere, I half expected a fleet of hallows to appear out of nowhere and play chicken with my Jeep. But the streets were free of angry ghosts, at least for tonight.

Zach and Zoe met us a block outside the club. Parking in the heart of the island was a hassle, especially in the height of summer. “Are you sure this is okay? Safe?” I whispered to Zoe.

“Lighten up. Have fun. What could possibly happen? You’re surrounded by the most lethal weapons. And Zane’s been ordered to keep an eye on you tonight.”

“Just peachy.”

Her lips split into a grin a second before she skipped in front of me, lacing her arm through Parker’s, and lead him down the alley. “You coming, Pipes?” she called over her shoulder.

Oh, for the love of God, someone shoot me now.