Dots of brilliant purple light quietly filled the grass and trees and sky. Fireflies glowed purple in Hell. Some were a lighter violet and others boasted a deep indigo. The trees looked like they’d been strung with sparkling amethyst. They were my favorites. I put my hand out to catch one, but Hayden was quicker.
“Here you go.” He delicately placed the fragile bug in my hand. “A sapphire for the Princess.”
“Thank you, my loyal subject,” I uttered grandly, behaving like some of my older sisters who thought they were the bomb. “Hayden.” I bit my lower lip to hide my smile. “You have mustard on your mouth.”
“No, I don’t,” he shot back in mock offense.
“Yes, you do.”
“Where?” he demanded.
“On your lip,” I said, pointing to my own.
“On your lip?”
“No, dorko.” I laughed. “On yours.”
“Come and show me,” he challenged. One side of his mouth lifted into the sexiest smirk ever. “I dare you.”
“You should know better than to dare one of Satan’s daughters, pretty boy,” I informed him as I crawled across the blanket toward him. He tensed as I neared and his eyes went from emerald to red. He had never been more beautiful, mustard and all. “Should I use my finger or my tongue?” I asked silkily.
Holy Hell, when did my inner ho-bag decide to show up? My dad would be so proud.
“Your finger would be fine,” his voice was husky. “But your tongue would be much better.”
“Tongue it will be.” I leaned into him, knowing my golden eyes had turned as blood red as his. The power I felt was overwhelming. I was scaring myself silly, but I had no desire to stop. I wanted to press my lips and my body to his from the very first moment I saw him. If he never called again because my inner slut had taken over my body, then his loss. Besides, I was only going to kiss him.
I very carefully ran my tongue along his bottom lip. He inhaled sharply at the contact. His body was as tight as a coil about to spring.
I pulled back and smiled. “Good mustard.”
“I think you might have missed a little,” he replied in a tone that sent shivers through me.
“You think?” I didn’t move an inch.
“I think.” He stayed as still as I did.
Ball was in my court. I slowly closed the slight distance between us and pressed my lips to his. It was magic. A hot spiral of something unfamiliar made my bones feel watery. I grasped his broad shoulders for balance.
He didn’t stick his tongue down my throat or try to grab me anywhere inappropriate. His kisses were featherlight and his tongue gently traced the fullness of my bottom lip. My heart hammered furiously and I knew I was a goner. He cupped my face in his strong hands and pressed soft kisses on my lips, my nose, my cheeks and my eyes. I was dizzy and falling madly in love.
“Dixie,” he moaned. “We have to stop.”
“Why?” I touched my forehead to his.
“Because I want you to fall for my intellect and charm before I let you ravish my body.”
I giggled and brushed my fingertips along his cheekbones and jaw. “What if I only want you for your hot bod?”
He chuckled, “I won’t be used that way. Well. . .maybe once or twice.” He grinned. “I’m looking for something lasting. I plan to make you fall head over heels, no turning back in love with me.”
I knew he was joking, but I was already there.
He kissed me once more and my toes curled. He stood and pulled me to my feet.
“I want to make one of your dreams come true.”
“You kind of already have,” I said, unable to tear my eyes away. I leaned into him and laid my head on his chest. I tentatively wrapped my arms around him. He was so broad my hands didn’t touch.
“Oh Dixie, you’re killin’ me.” His voice was unsteady.
“Really?” I was amazed I had the power to make such a strong man so vulnerable.
“Really.” He reluctantly pulled away and held me at arms’ length.
“I’ll race you to the pond,” he challenged.
“What pond?” All I could see was flowers.
“It’s two miles that way.” He pointed across the beautiful field.
“What’s at the pond?”
“One of your dreams,” he smiled.
“You’re on.”
Chapter 7
We ran through the field with wild abandon. The wind whipped through my hair and I felt free. All Demons were blessed with speed, but my speed was unusual. To the human eye, I completely disappeared. To the Demon eye, I looked like a blur.
I was amazed and delighted Hayden could keep up with me. Then I got pissed when I discovered he was beating me. Then he vanished.
He was sitting nonchalantly on the ground near the pond, legs crossed, hands behind his head with a big smile on his face. With both hands on my hips I slowly circled him. My eyes narrowed as he basked in his victory.
“How did you do that?” I continued to circle him.
“I’m fast.” He grinned.
“No,” I corrected him. “I’m fast.”
“But I’m faster.” He hopped up, grabbed me and swung me in a circle.
“Put me down, you cheater,” I shrieked, trying to stifle my laughter.
He put me down and I took in my surroundings. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The pond shimmered as if covered in a thin layer of diamonds. Huge weeping willow trees with giant crimson flowers adorning them blew in the breeze. Wildflowers dotted the bank, but it was the smell. I couldn’t find words to describe it. The closest words were wind, summer rain and promise, but even that didn’t do it justice.