A Brush With The Devil Read online

  Copyright © 2019 by Yolanda Olson

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Playlist

  1. New Wave Nuisance

  2. Stranger Danger

  3. Desperate Times

  4. Kaleidoscopes in Black & White

  5. Bargaining with the Devil

  6. Strange and Unusual

  7. A Masterpiece

  8. Let’s Play A Game

  9. Misery Loves Company

  10. Even-Steven

  11. The Perfect Escape

  12. Unlikely Hero

  13. The Devil’s Saint

  14. Cry, Baby

  15. The Thing About Trust

  16. Adrenaline

  17. Enough

  18. Two, Not One

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Yolanda Olson

  Playlist

  Chevelle - Comfortable Liar

  Deftones - Bored

  A Perfect Circle - Pet

  Silverstein – Vices

  Atreyu – Paper Castle

  Asking Alexandria – Morte Et Dabo

  Underoath – You’re Ever So Inviting

  The Devil Wears Prada – Sassafrass

  A Skylit Drive – Love The Way You Lie

  Atreyu – Lip Gloss & Black

  A Perfect Circle - 3 Libras

  The Birthday Massacre - Destroyer

  A Perfect Circle - Orestes

  One

  New Wave Nuisance

  Gray

  I chuckle slightly into my glass as yet another Blondie song comes blaring from the jukebox. Apparently, someone in this place is hell-bent on playing the band’s entire catalog tonight. The headache that starts to beat in time to the music makes me wonder why the fuck I left my home anyway.

  Oh yeah, I think glumly.

  I’ve been feeling lonely lately.

  Penn hasn’t talked to me in days and Aiden won’t look at me anymore. Not that he can, or that she wants to, but that’s not the point.

  I shoot back what’s left of my whiskey, slam the glass on the bar top, then throw some money on the sticky, wooden surface. I don’t know how much my bill is, but I’m sure that a few twenty-dollar bills will cover it, plus the tip. I have to get out of here, and even though I have no intention of going straight home, I just don’t want to drink anymore or listen to the same fucking music over and over.

  On the way to the door, though, I make a small detour toward the jukebox, and when I reach it, I pull the power chord out of the wall with such force, that the socket pops out with it too.

  “Tough guy,” someone calls out, clapping loudly.

  I don’t bother looking in the direction of the voice. No one here has my attention and being a smart ass isn’t something that will get me to react.

  Not after living with Penn and Aiden for as long as I have.

  I roll my neck on my shoulders as I step out into the cool, night air and light a cigarette. I don’t have any friends in this fucking place, nor do I want any, but it would be nice to have someone to tell my woes to once in a while.

  The only two people that ever meant anything to me aren’t happy as one and I don’t know what to do.

  If I tear them apart, they’ll die. It’s how I designed them when I put them together, and it was such a tedious task to handle because I didn’t want to pick one over the other.

  “Did that make you feel good?”

  I turn my eyes slightly to see one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen in my life, smirking at me with his hands buried deep into his pockets.

  “Because I was enjoying the tunes,” he continues as his eyes travel up and down my body.

  It’s strange how exposed the way he’s looking at me makes me feel. Almost like I’m a meal he wants to devour.

  “Silent type?” he continues as he sucks his teeth and rolls his eyes. “That’s fine, I can do the talking for both of us if you want me to.”

  I sigh and his smirk widens.

  “Do you think it’s strange that I sometimes like to fuck pretty boys?” he asks me, the look on his face becoming slightly creepy. He’s trying to get a rise out of me and I’m going to do my damnedest not to let it happen.

  I shrug indifferently and shake my head. “I don’t know. That’s not my place to say.”

  He chuckles and clicks his tongue against his teeth, as he crosses his arms over his chest and sizes me up. “You’re not intimidated by me are, you?” he inquires through narrowing eyes.

  “Not in the least,” I reply evenly.

  “Good, that means you’re fun then,” he reasons as the smirk on his lips widens into a half-grin. “And I like having fun.”

  A long-suffering sigh escapes me when it dawns on me that it’s not going to be as easy to get rid of him as I hoped. I give him a once over and wonder what in the hell someone that looks like him could possibly want with me—besides the obvious, which he’s already bluntly stated.

  “I’m sure there are way more entertaining people to choose from back inside,” I finally say, nodding toward the entrance of the bar.

  “Not interested in what’s in there,” he says, his eyes focusing on me dangerously. “I’d much rather see what you’ve got to offer.”

  “Listen,” I bark, finally losing my temper and pointing a finger at him, “I didn’t come out tonight to take anyone home. I want to be left alone, and if you can’t figure that out by now, then it’s not my problem. Leave me the hell alone.”

  I turn on my heel instantly, hands shoved deep into my pockets, cigarette hanging from my lips, and keep my head low as I start to make my way down the street. I’m not going home yet—I can’t, but it doesn’t mean that I have to stand around and trade “pleasantries” with … whatever his name happened to be.

  This can’t be happening to me, I think miserably as I hear the sound of footsteps closing in behind me.

  “So, listen,” he says conversationally as he falls into step beside me, “I get that I can be kind of overbearing, and sometimes I say shit that I probably shouldn’t, but you can’t have fun unless you’re willing to be bold—know what I mean?”

  Instead of answering him, I quicken my pace but somehow, the bastard is managing to keep up with me. I wish Aiden was here; she would have knocked that grin off his face the moment she saw how much he’s annoying me.

  “That being said,” he continues as we cross the street in unison, “I’m not from around here obviously, so it’s not like we’ll ever see each other again. Besides, I’ve got a boy at home and he’d probably be pissed if he found out anyway,” he finishes with a laugh.

  A boy? I’m sure you do, you weird fuck.

  “Do you have someone? Is that why you’re being so stagnant?” he asks curiously. I clear my throat and stop walking. He takes a few steps ahead of me before he realizes that I’m not next to him anymore, then laughs good-naturedly. “Sneaky,” he chides with a smile.

  “Yes and no,” I reply quietly.

  “It’s one of those complicated relationships, huh. It’s cool man, I totally get it. I could tell you a story about complications that would probably make your head spin,” he remarks with an eye roll.

  “It’s not complicated,” I say softly. “They both love me. Or at least they used to.” I sigh heavily and run a hand over my face. I’ve sighed so much at this point that I’m starting to wonder if I sound like a deflating balloon. “Can you just leave me alone, please? I’m not in the mood to pretend l
ike everything is great.”

  The handsome man with the devilish features arches an eyebrow incredulously. “If this is your version of pretending things are great, I’d hate to see when they’re bad.”

  I smile.

  Despite the overwhelming need and want to be alone right now, I smile.

  “Lakyn Meyer,” he says triumphantly as he holds out his hand.

  I shake my head and chuckle as I take it in mine and initiate a firm shake.

  “Gray Talbot.”

  Two

  Stranger Danger

  Lakyn

  Gray.

  I nod when he lets go of my hand and look down the street for a moment. I have to tear my eyes away from him so he doesn’t see the intent starting to form. I will admit that I like his name, though. It’s not too often you come across people named after colors, and he’s my first Gray, so it could be a good night if he loosens up some.

  “I’m gonna go now, but it was nice to meet you, Lakyn,” he says with a small nod, as he tosses his smoke, and even smaller smile. His mind is telling him to walk away, but his heart is telling him that there’s a possibility of something here and I’m enjoying watching the two worlds inside of him collide.

  “Can I come?” I ask innocently.

  He sighs. “You don’t even know where I’m going.”

  “Destinations aren’t important,” I say with a shrug. “Besides, I’m more of a live for the moment kind of guy.”

  Gray’s jaw tightens and I have to do my best not to smirk. Getting to him is easy and it’s putting me in a good mood. Maybe if he’s a good boy, he’ll get to experience me wholly. And if he’s not … well, at the very least he’ll owe me a drink and some head. I’ve got the itch for him now and I’m not letting him out of my sight until it gets scratched. A grunt escapes him as he turns his back to me and starts walking again.

  So I do what anybody else would do.

  I continue my pursuit.

  “Anyway, who wants to spend the night alone, am I right?” I say as I fall into step beside him. “The possibilities are always endless when you find a partner in crime—whatever that crime may happen to be.”

  We cross the next street in silence and when he turns right, he almost bumps into me. I give him a grin and he responds with a glare. I don’t know why he wants to get rid of me—I’m a goddamn delight and he’ll find that out soon enough.

  He just has to be willing to give me a chance.

  “Do you live around here?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation going, but he continues his silence. “You know, you’re really starting to piss me off,” I snap. Deep breath, Lakyn. Use honey and not vinegar. “And I kinda like it, to be honest. The big, tall broody thing suits you.”

  He shakes his head.

  “How many tattoos do you have?”

  Gray clears his throat and walks a little faster.

  “Tell me about your girlfriend, then.”

  He turns to glance at me over his shoulder, the ever prominent glare on his face, and something clicks inside of me.

  “Or about your boyfriend?” I muse with a grin. “Is that what’s got you all hot and bothered? No, it can’t be entirely because you said they both love you. Hmm.”

  Unless.

  “Are you in one of those polyamorous, or whatever, relationships? I mean if you are, that’s pretty badass. You must be damn good in bed to be able to satisfy more than one hole,” I continue in appreciation. “So is it a guy and a girl? Two guys? I know it’s not two chicks; not the way your hand shook when we formally introduced ourselves to each other. I make you nervous, don’t I, Gray? It’s okay, not to suck my own dick or anything, but that happens a lot when I’m around.”

  “I bet,” he finally says in a subdued tone.

  I reach over and grab his arm to stop him from walking. Not because I care about anything other than he’s making it a little hard to keep up with him now, and I don’t want to pass out on the goddamn sidewalk. He slowly looks down at my hand gripping his forearm, then raises his eyes to me. It’s weird, but I can’t tell what’s going on inside of that beefcake brain of his.

  “Can we chill for a minute or two? I feel like I’m trying out for track or some shit with as fast as you’re going.”

  He clenches his jaw again, runs a hand over his face, then nods. I reach into my jeans pocket and pull out my pack of smokes, holding it out to him, and grinning when he takes one. If I learned anything at all from my time with Beatrix, is that something as simple as that is a surefire sign that he should be easy enough to manipulate.

  “Thanks,” he says quietly after I light his cigarette.

  “Don’t mention it,” I reply as I take a drag off my smoke. I toss the lighter into the pack, then slide it back into my pocket, and glance up at the night sky. “Ever wonder if anything else is out there?”

  “Like aliens?” he inquires curiously.

  I roll my eyes, “No. Like a higher being or something.”

  “No,” he says bluntly.

  “I never used to either, but I’ve seen some shit, you know?” I say as my mind wanders back to Trixie, Ichabod, and the Church. “Thankfully, you’ll never have to see that stuff. But I think what’s even more fucked up than not believing is seeing things that make you believe. In Heaven, in Hell, fuck if I know, but man there are some crazy people out there,” I mumble more to myself than him.

  He scoffs but doesn’t say anything else.

  “Yeah, I probably sound like some kind of zealot right now, right?” I ask with a forced laugh. “Ignore that, it happens once in a while. It comes with the territory, but sometimes I find myself remembering certain people in my life and it makes me think of home.”

  The silence between us tastes sour now. I ruined it by talking about something that’s usually considered off limits when making the acquaintance of someone new and I have to find a way to sweeten it again to get back into his good graces.

  “Anyway, are you into guys?”

  Gray takes a deep breath, lets it out in a rush and sizes me up for a moment before he answers me.

  “Yes.”

  “Right on, man,” I say with a nod. “Personally, I’m not into dick, but I don’t mind getting mine sucked. Regardless of what’s between anyone’s legs. Wanna have some fun?”

  “I want to go home,” he replies, his voice slightly whiny.

  “Me too; lead the way,” I say as I take a step closer to him, look into his eyes, and grin. “But remember the golden rule about strangers. You never know which one wants to slit your throat and swim in your fucking blood.”

  I watch the edge of his lip curl up as his eyes soften. He brings the cigarette up to his lips and when he pulls on it, his eyes light up behind the embers. Dangerous, damn near void, and completely fucking enticing.

  “Exactly,” he agrees softly.

  Three

  Desperate Times

  Gray

  I can’t believe he followed me home, I think in annoyance as I reach down and slip my hands underneath the gate. I use my strength to push it up, deciding that the back entrance would be safer than the staircase with this guy.

  “This whole place is yours?” he asks with a low whistle.

  “I share it,” I answer softly as I step aside to let him in.

  “Oh, right. With your boyfriend and girlfriend,” he muses as he walks in like he owns the fucking building.

  “She’s not my girlfriend,” I snap at him.

  He glances back at me with that damn look of triumph on his handsome face and I sigh yet again. He tricked me into admitting that I do have a boyfriend, and I have no doubt that he’s going to try to use it against me.

  Slippery fucker. Your luck will run out soon enough.

  “Whatever,” I shrug as I walk passed him, fishing for the keys in my pocket. I slide my fingers into my back pocket and roll my eyes wondering what possessed me to put them back there, but decide to dismiss it when Lakyn takes a step too close to me.

&nbsp
; I give him a dirty look.

  His grin widens.

  I shove the key in the lock and damn near knock the door off the hinges to get away from him.

  I stumble as I step inside my home, and his amused laughter ticks me off almost immediately again.

  “Don’t you have anywhere else you can be right now? Or at least someone else to make miserable?” I bark at him as he walks past me into my home.

  “Yeah, but not in this state. I’m just passing through looking for a good time before I head home to my friend,” he says, emphasizing the last word. I roll my eyes because it’s obvious to me that he doesn’t believe me when I tell him that Aiden isn’t my gal.

  Even in the state she’s in now, I would never take advantage of her. I love her way too much to destroy our friendship beyond repair. Although, I’m quite sure I already put a major fracture in what we had since I conjoined her with Penn.

  I just couldn’t choose one or the other.

  I wanted them both.

  Needed them both, and it was honestly the only way I knew how to keep them.

  Together.

  “Got anything to drink?” he asks as he wanders around the main floor.

  “Check the fridge,” I reply as I pull my jacket off and head into the living room. I toss it on the couch, kick my boots up on the coffee table, and turn the television set on. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let him go wandering off anywhere else in this building, so I guess this is where I’ll be entertaining my unwanted guest.

  “Here,” he says as he walks in and sits next to me. I glance over at him and take the beer he’s holding out to me with a nod, twist off the cap, and toss it onto the table near my boots.