Defying Instinct (Demon Instinct Series) by Jaye A. Jones Page B

eyesight was
adjusting too.  Though my muscles were weak and my skin was sensitive as hell,
I was improving.
    All
right, it was time to get to the next task.  The Bookstore was most definitely
closed indefinitely.  I detached from Grayson’s helping hand, tiptoed around
the rubble, and did my closing duties.  Having specific, familiar jobs to
complete felt good.
    I
flipped the Open sign to Closed.  Cashed out the register.  Turned on the voicemail. 
As I drew all the blinds on the front windows, a comfortable, dim light filled
the store, which was now concealed from outside.  A sign that said we were
closed for renovations or something logical would be smart, so I tackled that
next.
    Of
all things, the dreaded computers remained unharmed.  The irony had me snickering
by the time the sign printed. 
    My
feet hurt as I hung the sign on the front door.  I turned to the males who were
trying to make the store more presentable, probably for Dad who was going to show
up any moment.  I sat on the armrest of the couch studying the demons helping
me.  Their wounds were healed.  Even the chunk of hair I probably yanked out of
Grayson’s head had grown in. Or been glamoured in.  Either way. 
    As I
noticed my body wasn’t hurting like before, though my skin was sensitive, my
muscles no longer constantly ached, I realized my feet had stopped throbbing
entirely since I sat down.
    Lifting
a foot, then remembering I was wearing a skirt and nothing underneath, I bent
down to check the bound-to-be torn up bottoms of my feet.  They were perfectly
fine, except for a hint of dried blood.
    “You’re
half demon, girl.  You heal quickly.”
    I
narrowed my eyes at Rowan, who had snuck up behind me and was looking over my
shoulder.  “You can’t possibly expect me to have known that.”
    He
looked surprised.  “You could be hurt before?”
    Wasn’t
that normal?  “Cuts, bruises, burns.  Broke a finger once.”
    A
wave of…something hit me, and I knew it came from the Hammer behind me.  I
couldn’t tell what it was, but it was something.
    “You
were left entirely too vulnerable,” he mumbled, and I couldn’t deny the look of
real alarm and disapproval on his indescribable face.  I couldn’t imagine why
he’d care.  I couldn’t imagine why his caring made me warm in strange places.
    Rowan
cleared his throat.  “Feel free to wear my clothes, by the way.”
    I
blushed, surprised I could recognize the burning of my face and neck.  “I…um… 
Nothing else…uh.” I can’t wear any of my clothes.
    He
nodded, as though that was all the explanation necessary.  Had he been teasing
me by mentioning it?  Rowan didn’t strike me as the playful type.
    “The
cashmere’s just so soft…and…”
    Rowan
glanced at me, then looked immediately away.  “It’s not cashmere.”
    “Then
what is it?” I asked, running my hands along my sides, savoring the
ultra-fantastic softness tickling my fingers.
    Out
of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Rowan watching my hands.  But when I
looked up, he was back to his task, sweeping the floor, paying me little
attention.
    “It’s…”
he began, but changed his mind. “You’ll like it better if you don’t know.”
    I
laughed, startling myself. “I’ll shop for some things tomorrow.”  I’ll get
your sweater back to you soon.
    “It’s
fine.  I don’t need it.”
    It’d
be a shame never to see you in it again.
    Rowan
opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind again.  He cleared his
throat instead and walked away as I felt crystal blue diamonds scrutinizing me
from the other side of the store.
    Where
had that come from?  Had I been flirting with a snarly, broody, full-caste
Hammer demon?  When did I learn how to flirt?
    Eyes
narrowed, I glared at Grayson, who was helping Benn lift a bookshelf but
looking at me.  I didn’t know how.  I didn’t know why.  But I was willing to
bet he was the reason behind this. 
    At
least, I preferred