Read Online The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine - Free Book Online

said. “They deserve a little fun, even in hell.’” He was kidding, but not. He did see Morganville as hell. Claire had to admit, he had a point. It was hell, and they were the lost souls, and it was coming on toward morning and she’d been scared for what felt like a very, very long time….
    He was watching her closely, in a way that made her feel warmth all over her skin, like a light sunburn.
    â€œHow about us?’” she heard herself ask. “Don’t we deserve a little fun?’”
    I did not just say that.
    Only she had.
    He smiled. She wondered if the shadows were ever going to leave his eyes again. “I could do something fun.’”
    â€œUmmm…’” She licked her lips. “Define fun.’”
    â€œQuit doing that, jailbait. It’s distracting.’”
    The whole idea that somebody would even think of her as jailbait was tremendously exciting. Especially Shane. She tried to hide that, and act like she wasn’t quaking on the inside like a Jell-O fruit salad. “So now you want me to stay up? I thought you said I should go to bed.’”
    â€œYou should.’” He didn’t put any particular emphasis on it. “’Cause if you stay down here, there’s going to be fun. I’m just saying.’”
    â€œVideo game fun?’”
    His eyes widened. “You want to play video games?’”
    â€œDo you?’”
    â€œYou are the weirdest girl.’”
    â€œPlease. You live with Eve .’” She was not doing this right. How did girls seduce boys? What did they say? Because she was pretty sure that talking about video games and bringing up roommates wasn’t in the have-fun game plan. She was hyperaware of her body, too. How was she supposed to move? She felt awkward, all angles, and she wanted to be one of those graceful girls, all delicacy and elegance. Like in the movies.
    Eve would know. She’d had those garter hose on, and those thong panties, and Claire didn’t even own those things, or have any idea how to get them. And Eve had worn them for Michael, or maybe just as a secret little excitement for herself around Michael. Yeah, Eve would know what to say.
    Say something sexy, she commanded herself, and in a blind panic, she opened her mouth and blurted, “Do you think they’re doing it?’” She was so appalled that she clapped both hands over her mouth. She’d never in her life wanted to take back words so much, and so fast…and for a second, Shane just looked at her, like he couldn’t figure out what she was talking about.
    And then he laughed. “Man, I hope. Those two could use a good—uh—’” He blinked and she saw her age flash in front of his eyes. “Hell. Never mind.’”
    Words weren’t working for her. She leaned forward and kissed him. It felt weird, and awkward, and he didn’t immediately respond—maybe he was too surprised. Maybe she was doing it wrong, or she’d been wrong to make the move on him….
    His lips parted under hers, damp and soft and warm, and she forgot all of that. Her entire life focused in on the sensations, the gentle pressure that grew more intense the longer the kiss went on.
    Chaste kisses, then dirtier ones, and man, those tasted good. They tasted better the wider her mouth opened, and especially after his tongue touched hers.
    She could have done a whole semester of kissing with Shane. Intense personal study. With lab classes.
    Time really wasn’t happening for her, but eventually Claire realized that there was a soft glow coming from the windows, and she was numb and sore from sitting on the floor. She winced as a muscle in her back protested, and Shane reached out, pulled her up, and settled himself on the couch.
    He stretched out, and extended a hand to her. She stared, tingling and confused. “There’s no room.’”
    â€œPlenty of