Page 39 of Filthy Twisted Devil

My shoulders relax, even though I didn’t even realize the muscles were tensed. “Yeah. Eventually, I fell in love with Twisted Devil for its own sake. But at the beginning, I just wanted to prove that I was…well, that I was someone.”

“You are, Luke,” she says earnestly, and I roll my eyes.

“Whatever you say, wildflower.” The nickname slips off my tongue without me consciously thinking it. “Sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”

Eden goes completely still. She looks like a deer frozen on the road, waiting to see whether the car in front of her will swerve.

I could swerve. I could take back the nickname. The thing is, I don’t want to. It fits her. Wildflowers are resilient, delicate-looking but determined to survive, just like Eden.

My body automatically moves toward hers, drawn in like a magnet. Her soft lips are so close, all I’d have to do is lean in a few inches to close the distance between us. I doubt Eden would stop me. Every time I’ve offered, she always says yes.

Her eyes darken, and her tongue darts out to lick her lower lip.

Then she shoots to her feet and puts her glass down on the coffee table. “I should go.”

I blink, confused at the sudden shift. “What? You don’t have to.”

“It’s late. I really should place those orders. Thank you for the whiskey. It was—almondy.”

With one last shy smile, she practically sprints to the elevator. I’m left staring at the doors after they close behind her, wondering if I could have done anything differently to make her stay.

16

EDEN

December

Luke

Have you ever eaten venison before?

Eden

Of course I have, why?

Luke

Beau brought me to a burger place for lunch. I was planning on a regular hamburger, but apparently, they’re all about the game meats here. I’m considering my options.

Eden

And when you think of me, you think game meat because…

Luke

Because you’re Laura Ingalls.

Eden

First, no I’m not. I might have lived on a ranch, but I’ve never been in a covered wagon in my life.

Second, why do you know Little House on the Prairie?

Luke

Brinley’s pioneer phase. I wasn’t complaining, though. Ma Ingalls was my first crush.

Eden