"Vividly," he said, laughing harshly.
"Was it that bad?" I pressed on, ignoring the "do not enter" sign he all but had hanging around his neck.
"Bad? No. For the most part, it was good. It didn't get bad until the end," he said, making it clear the subject was closed.
The sting of his rejection made me recoil. "Fine," I snapped, yanking my hand from his. "You can take me home now," I added, rising.
"Hey, don't get all twisted, babe. I just find talking about you to be more enlightening," he said, tugging me back down.
"Are you just fucking with me?" I asked, going for the shock factor to cover my confusion over his intense interest in me.
"Sweetheart, you'd definitely know if I was doing that," he drawled.
"What do you want from me then?" I asked, ignoring his innuendo.
"What makes you so sure I want something?" he asked as he resumed drawing the intricate pattern on my hand.
This time it was my turn to laugh harshly. "Let me tell you something. This whole mysterious cool act you're going for is starting to teeter awfully close to the creeper line. Besides, everyone wants something from me. I'm not a freaking idiot, so spill it. You got me here where you wanted me—all alone," I said, indicating our isolated location.
"Does there have to be a reason? You intrigued me. From the moment I saw you kick the living shit out of those Daemons I knew I wanted to get to know you better."
"Really? And you decided that from knowing me all of ten minutes?" I asked, pulling my hand from his. "You can cut the bullshit."
"Jordyn, you intrigue me, that's all," he said again.
"Intrigue how? Like some science experiment gone wrong that you can't help looking at with morbid fascination?"
He laughed. "Boy, talk about some serious paranoia."
"Why? Because I'm not falling for your horseshit? Haniel says you're dangerous and he hasn't lied to me yet."
"You don't think I'm dangerous," he said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, so you can read minds, too?" I asked sarcastically.
"Hey, peace, baby, peace. I'm not looking for a rumble," he said, holding his hands up. "Is this okay?" he asked, grinning devilishly as he slung his arm over my shoulder.
"Damn right you're not," I muttered, leaning back into his embrace.
He mumbled something in protest, but I didn't quite catch it. I was tempted to ask him to repeat it, but I figured I'd dealt with my fair share of drama tonight. Shit was going to hit the roof when I got home anyway, so this brief interlude could be the only break I'd have. Emrys seemed to sense my mood and lapsed into silence. I wasn't sure how long we sat there. Time seemed to bend back on itself as all the vehicles and lights below entranced me. I could have stayed there all night. It was easy to see why this was his favorite spot. Only when my butt became numb did I finally acknowledge the passing time.
"I should go home," I said, sighing resignedly.
"You don't have to," he enticed.
"I need to face the music. I'm sure Haniel, not to mention my aunt and uncle, are going apeshit by now."
"See, that's my point. If you're in trouble anyway, why rush home?"
"You really are evil," I said, elbowing him in his ribs as I stood up.
"Do you believe that?" he asked, standing also. His teasing was now gone as he studied me intently.
"Does it matter?" I asked.
"To me it does," he said quietly before grasping my hand in his.
The catwalk disappeared beneath our feet and was replaced by the beach. Emrys let go of my hand as soon as my feet sank into the sand. Opening my eyes, I saw I was alone with the waves that crashed against the bluff near my house.