Evermine: Daughters of Askara, Book 2 Read Online Free Page A

He leaned down, pressed his lips to hers. “Does that make you a dirty girl?”
    “Maybe,” she taunted. “I know one way you can find out.”
    “Only one?” His white teeth flashed seconds before he reclaimed her mouth.
    She sighed and linked her hands behind his neck, holding him to her. I covered my eyes and ignored the kissy noises. Then it occurred to me I should have stuck my fingers in my ears instead. Before I could plug them up tight, Maddie tugged my arm, which I lowered reluctantly.
    “We’re heading home.” She scooped up the mess we’d made on the table, but Clayton took each item from her, kissing the hand holding the trash while she gave him a Cheshire smile.
    “Good.” My full stomach was rebelling—hard. When Maddie frowned in my direction, I almost missed it. Those pots were back to calling my name. Oblivion waited for a filter and me to have a moment alone. Because of that, I almost missed her concern in time to dodge it. “I mean, that it’s late. We’ve all had a long day, and Clayton could use the rest.”
    At the mention of what he’d been through, Maddie’s eyes turned liquid. He shot me a thank you for that look. I let my lips form a perfect “O” and covered my mouth with my hand.
    He wasn’t buying my accidental interference, but oh well. She was my little sister, and I didn’t want to know those two ever did more than hold hands and skip through clover patches.
    Maddie patted his chest as if thanking him for putting up with her overprotective sister. Then she glanced my way. “Do you need any help, or are you good to finish closing alone?”
    “I’m good.” I scooted out of the booth and wrapped her in a hug. “Thanks for dinner.”
    She squeezed back. “I still owe you a movie. Want to double date?”
    Hours vegging out with Harper, our siblings on the couch at our back. His ebony features blending with shadows as he stretched amid a sea of pillows and blankets on the floor in front of the TV. I pictured it clearly. All the things his hands could do under those blankets, in the dark.
    “It depends.” I walked them to the door. “Harper said he was working on something. I’ll have to catch up with him first and see what he cooked up before we commit to anything.”
    “A mystery date.” Maddie sighed. “Sounds romantic.”
    “Or like poor planning.” Clayton frowned at the wistful tone of her voice.
    I arched an eyebrow, and he did too. My sister shook her head, used to our standoffs.
    “Come on, you.” She hooked her arm through his. “Let’s get you home and in bed.”
    “I thought you’d never ask.” He let her lead him onto the sidewalk, then they glanced up and I noticed heavy clouds churning above the streetlamps. Clayton scooped her legs from under her, spinning around in dizzying circles as rain fell. All the while, he beamed down at her as she laughed. Cradling her, he held on as if carrying the most important thing in the world in his arms.
    My forehead met icy glass, and I watched as he set her on her feet, reeled her in, tucked her under his arm and kissed the crown of her head. For the first time, I conceded there might possibly be one person better suited to looking out for my sister’s happiness than me.

Chapter Three
     
    When I finally reached home, it smelled odd. Welcoming in a way the place lacked since Maddie moved in with Clayton. Instead of old wood and cool night, it smelled of warm oven and sugar cookies. They were my favorites.
    Wrinkling my nose, I sniffed the air and followed the sultry current from the front door to the rear of the house and the galley-style kitchen. I touched the stovetop. Heat ebbed through the cracked ceramic and thawed my fingers. The rainstorm between town and here had frozen me.
    Winking flame teased the corner of my eye where candles danced in crystal holders.
    “Maddie?” My voice bounced off the walls, absorbed by the pitch-black living room.
    I strained my ears but heard wind and the promise of