Read Online The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe - Free Book Online Page B

inched around to face him.
    As soon as his hand fell away, the bliss subsided. I was aching without it, angry without it. Our shadows mingled down the rocks like lovers still entwined.
    So, this was Jesse:
    Colors, brilliant and glimmering. Music. A good height, and a country boy’s tan and muscled strength. An easy, inviting smile and eyes long-lashed and green as sultry summer. He was probably just seventeen or eighteen but already beautiful in that severe way men sometimes could be, and I knew exactly why Malinda and the rest followed him with their eyes even while they disparaged him with their words. If Armand was the darkened ruby, then Jesse was pure, vibrant gold. His hair was gold, and his skin was gold, and his touch lit gold inside me, a torch that burned still in places I’d never considered.
    The fiend in my heart had come awake, as well, basking in his song. It radiated hunger, keen as a bayonet blade.
    What I felt was rather more like … agitation. Or fear.
    â€œIt’s a long fall,” Jesse said. “Worse at low tide.”
    â€œThank you,” I managed, begrudging. Then his words sank in. “Is that what this is?” I motioned to the beach. “The tide is out?”
    â€œThe tide rides high, and we’re an island. The tide pulls low, and we’re one with the mainland again. You could walk there from here, if you wanted. But you’ve only got a few hours. Then you’d have to take the bridge back, or else swim.”
    â€œYou do speak.” It came out as an accusation.
    â€œWhen there’s someone around worth speaking to.” He turned about, began to scale the boulders behind us. Big hands, callused hands, going from rock to rock. “It’s too dangerous here, Lora. Come with me.”
    I stood for a moment, debating, but even as I thought about climbing down instead of up, a new shower of rubble broke free below. The combined song of the boulders rose in pitch, sounding remarkably like an alarm.
    I followed Jesse. I wanted to avoid the hand he held out to me for those last few vertical feet, but he said, impatient, “Grab on,” so I did. The scrubby grass growing at the top of the cliff felt like a godsend, wonderfully firm.
    Again, I pulled free as soon as I could. Again, every part of me tingled, and that made me defensive.
    â€œWhat were you doing here? Were you following me?”
    â€œYes,” he said.
    No denial, no excuses. I blinked up at him, and his smile widened.
    â€œWhy?”
    He didn’t answer, not at first. The green of his eyes seemed to shift, growing darker, a summer storm rolling in. It was pulling me with it, too, spellbinding. I stared up at him and felt a fresh heat wash over me, dry lightning charging the atmosphere. Everything around us glowed brighter and brighter, as if we ourselves were caught in an electric strand. I smelled cinnamon and vanilla and rain, a combination so delicious I nearly licked my lips.
    I took a sustained breath instead. I looked away to the unclouded sky, and the spell unraveled.
    â€œI wanted to make sure you’d be safe,” Jesse was saying, but something in his tone was tinged with a lie.
    â€œWas it you who left the orange in my room last night?”
    â€œYou were hungry. And I thought you’d be up before Gladys arrived.”
    Hungry, echoed the fiend, almost a moan.
    â€œI wasn’t!” I barked, wanting to stifle them both—and then the shock of his admission hit. I’d thought about it but hadn’t truly thought about it: the moonlight spread along the blankets on the bed, the thin flannel of my nightgown pulled tight against my breasts. The small rounded room, the sensation of a caress. He’d been there, with me—
    Jesse lifted his open palms, a gesture of surrender.
    â€œI meant no harm. You’re a deep sleeper, Lora, heavy dreams that carry you deep. Beyond memory, I’d guess. I’ll wake you next