Page 25 of Sangre
“Isla? It’s me. Sangre. Open up.”
What if it’shim?
“Look, I’ll call you on the phone now.”
Her phone buzzed and she stared at the screen, Sangre’s name flashing over it. “Hello?”
“It’s me outside your door. Open up. I checked on Mark and he’s good. Said it’s been super quiet.”
“It’s really you outside my door?”
“Yeah. Look out the peephole. You’ll see my fuckin’ good looks.”
She laughed.It is Sangre!She turned off the alarm and swung open the door. Sangre stood on the porch, the red in his strawberry blond hair vibrant under the porch light. He walked in and she collapsed in his arms, relief coursing through her.I’m safe.
He held her tight, rubbing her back in circles as he told her she was okay. But she wasn’t. She’d freaked out and imagined all sorts of crazy shit.I thought I was getting better. If this made me almost go over the edge, how can I tour again?
Sangre pushed back and held her at arm’s length, his gaze fixed on hers. “Better now?”
She nodded sheepishly. “Sorry for making you come out here for nothing.”
He placed his fingers on her lips. “Don’t ever apologize for calling me or needing me.” He looked at her clenched hand. “Is that the note?” She nodded and gave it to him, and his eyes scanned the crumpled piece of paper. “This shit is scary. This wacko’s playing some serious mind games with you. I’m gonna have Mark come up to the porch so you can see that he’s all right.”
When she was convinced that all was good and her fears had simply gotten the best of her, she looked over at Sangre, who was at the door speaking with Mark. She overheard him tell the guard to go home, and she opened her mouth to protest but decided against it and settled back into the sofa’s soft cushion. The truth was she didn’t want him to leave, and the fact that he rushed over to her, concern etched on his face when she saw him, made butterflies flutter inside her.
After closing the door, he came over and sat on the other end of the couch. “I told Mark to head out. I’m taking over.”
“I hope I didn’t screw up a hot date for you.” She laughed, but her stomach muscles tensed as she waited for his response.
“No date. Where did you come from? Mark said that you went out with a friend.”
“Madison and I went to Vesta Grill for dinner. It was very good. Oh, by the way, she’s scared of you since you joined your outlaw club.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
“She should be.”
“Why?”
“’Cause you’re a badass.” She poked him in the side, chuckling.
“Is that the way you want to play it?” he teased, snagging her around the waist. Then he started tickling her and she howled. Eyes watering, face red, words sputtering out of her mouth, she tried to push him away. One autumn afternoon when she was eleven, he’d found out that she was ticklish and had used it as a weapon whenever he wanted his way. That day, she’d help him rake the leaves in his backyard, and they’d both jumped in the big pile after they were done. He tried to stuff leaves around her, and she’d started laughing, telling him to stop. His eyes had sparkled with mischief when he’d found her weakness.
“Sangre! Stop!” Panting hard, she pushed her hands against his hard chest. He had her on her back and he hovered over her, his warm breath ghosting her face. Her hands dropped from his chest and she locked her gaze with the intensity of his own. Desire burned in them, and she held her breath as he lowered his head.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, breaking eye contact to stare at her mouth. “So beautiful.” She had to strain to hear him.
Closing her eyes, her lips tingled in anticipation of his kiss. Nothing. Her lids flew open just as he straightened out and slid down to the far end of the couch.What the hell? I thought for sure he was going to kiss me.Her body tightened in anger.
Smiling weakly, he wiped his hand on his jeans. “You’re still ticklish. That’s good to know.”
“Yeah.” Disappointment laced her response. “I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go to bed. Are you staying inside?”
“If that’s cool with you.” He avoided looking at her.
“Sure. Are you going to stay down here?”
Nodding, he stood up. “I don’t plan on sleeping. I’m doing a job.”
I’m only a job. Just forget about it. I should be working on my relationship with Benz instead of lusting after my friend. I’m pathetic.“Okay, then. I’ll see you in the morning. Help yourself to whatever you want in the fridge and cupboards. Night.”
“Night.”
Isla trudged up the stairs wishing like hell that Sangre was with her, but she knew he’d never cross that line. He’d always liked her just as a friend, so why was she surprised?
With a heavy heart, she pulled down the covers and crawled between the sheets.
