Soul Screamers, Volume 1

“Role-playing games and band lyrics,” I said, pulling open the grimy door when the microwave buzzed. Obviously, the Netherworld had yet to extend its influence to the internet. Which was probably fortunate, now that I thought about it.

I dumped the popcorn into the largest bowl in the cabinet and shook a small bottle of nacho-cheese-flavored seasoning over it, then grabbed my soda on the way to the table. “So…what do you know about hellions?”

“Nothing more than what Addy told us last night.” Nash dipped a corn chip into the wide-mouthed jar, and it came out loaded with chunky hot salsa.

“After seeing her eyes, I never want to lay mine on a hellion. Ever.” I crunched on several pieces of popcorn. “But it doesn’t look like we’ll have much of a choice.”

“I could kill Tod for getting us into this.”

“It’s a little late for that.” I wrinkled my nose in distaste when he dipped a piece of popcorn into the salsa jar, then tossed it into his mouth.

“Weird.” Nash cocked his head to one side, chewing as he considered the odd combination. “But good-weird.”

“You want something to put that in?” I stood to grab a bowl before he could answer. “When’s Tod supposed to be here?”

He glanced at his watch. “He’s taking his break in about fifteen minutes. But knowing my brother, he’s already here somewhere, spying on us.”

I set the bowl on the table and poured salsa into it. “He needs a life of his own. A girlfriend. Addison seems pretty interested in him....” I ventured, leaning over his shoulder to dip a popcorn kernel into the sauce. I hesitated, then finally closed my eyes and stuck it in my mouth.

Eww! You’d think nacho seasoning and salsa would go well together, but they don’t. At least, not on popcorn.

Nash laughed at me while I washed the taste from my mouth with a gulp from my can. “The last thing Tod needs is a soulless human husk of a girlfriend. Especially a famous one. He’s legally deceased, and she’s followed around all day by photographers. I can see the headline—Addison Page dates dead boy!”

“Okay, so it’s not an obvious pairing.” I shrugged and grabbed another handful of regular popcorn. “But it’s not like you and I are exactly simple.” Not with his mom teaching me bean sidhe stuff, and my dad watching his every move. Though, there was the little matter of our mutual species....

“I like a challenge.” Nash stood, his irises swirling lazily. Hungrily.

“Oh, yeah?” I smiled up at him and retreated slowly until my hip hit the countertop, my insides smoking from the heat of his gaze.

“Yeah…” Nash stepped close enough that I could feel the warmth of his chest through both of our shirts. But he didn’t touch me. His head dipped toward my neck, and I inhaled sharply when his breath brushed my collarbone.

I tilted my head back. My heart slammed against my ribs, and I held my breath, waiting to feel his lips on me. They would be soft, and hot. I knew it. I wanted it. But it didn’t happen.

His head rose gradually, his breath traveling up my neck unbearably slowly. My pulse raced faster with each hot, damp puff against my skin. “Nash…” My arms rose, and my fingers hovered millimeters from his shirt when his warm hands wrapped around my wrists. Holding me. Stopping me.

“Mmm?” His breath brushed my ear then, and shivers shot up my spine, lingering in pleasant places all over my body.

“Let me touch you.” It came out as a moan, and part of me was mortified by the need in my voice. But he liked it. I could tell, and that made it okay.

“Not yet,” he murmured, his words indistinct, a groan granted the bare minimum of consonants. The sound buffeted my earlobe. Scalding me.

“Now,” I whispered. I couldn’t breathe. Not until I could touch him. Or he touched me. “Now. Please, Nash.”

“Are you sure?” His words surged over me like a wave of heat, pulsing with barely controlled desire. Power. Compulsion. Considering his particular talents, he could probably have talked me into anything he wanted me to do, and that knowledge scared me and thrilled me at the same time. But he wouldn’t do it. He wanted me to want him on my own.

Oh, and I did. I wanted him so badly every part of me ached, some places worse than others.

Nash pulled back enough so that I could see the brown of his eyes, churning in a sea of green. And still his breath brushed my chin, sending a wave of sensation over me, so delicate I froze to keep from shattering it.

Then I nodded. I was totally sure.

Nash let go of my wrists, and one hand slid over my skin to the back of my neck, cradling my skull. He tilted my head to one side and his lips met mine, just as hot and soft as I’d known they’d be.