I shivered at the mere mention of Death.
Joules gazed out as more lightning struck. “Cally, I’ve never felt more alive than I do right now.”
“Then take a pic with me.” I pulled out my phone. When he moved in closer, I put my arm around him and hammed it up for the shot.
He murmured at my ear, “Will you blackmail me with pictures too?”
I faced him. “Of course. You’re going to have to stay with me.”
He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off my lips, so I licked them. But he didn’t move in for a kiss. He’d definitely never had one before.
I said, “So young.”
His eyes went wide. “No younger than you are!”
“Prove it. Kiss me.”
He gazed around. “Here? Tere’ll be cameras,” he said, accent thickening.
“Nobody else cares.”
Joules looked like he’d rather eat nails than kiss me here. But he let me maneuver him until I stood between him and the camera.
“Don’t you want to kiss me?”
“O’ course I want to, but it might lead to other tings, and I’m waiting till I’m wed.” He was serious! “Cally, wait with me—”
My hand dipped down, and the almighty Tower gave a whimper. I rested my palm on the front of his jeans.
His voice broke higher as he said, “Jaysus.”
When I moved my hand, his eyes rolled back in his head. A bolt struck nearby—as if from his emotions—and he groaned.
“Nobody waits anymore,” I murmured.
“I’d always p-planned to.” Another groan.
“I think you’re just throwing out excuses. Maybe you don’t want me to be your girlfriend.”
“To have you as me lass?” He tried to steady his gaze, to meet mine, as if he was about to give me a promise. “Tere’s nothing I want more! From the first second I saw you, I knew you were the one!” Though his body was shaking with need, he tugged my hand away—so he could hold it with both of his own. Gods, he was so sincere, so virtuous. “You’re to be mine?”
A traitorous thought arose: What if I am his?
No, the game made that impossible. I hesitated, then lied: “I am.”
His face lit with adoration, and bolts struck all around us. They reflected in his eyes.
_______________
Now
From my subway bench, I gazed at nothing. He’d actually left me. Was I more upset that I’d lost my choirboy than I was about losing the Tower?
Ridiculous. The number-one rule of the game? Never, never develop feelings for another player. What kind of future could two cards have if they loved each other? They aged as long as the game wore on. So two possibilities existed—if they managed to eliminate all the other cards—and both were awful.
Either one would die young, or one would live old until the next game began.
Unless . . . they could rope in another Arcana to outlive them both.
I dreaded going home and facing my sister. She’d be able to see I was pining for Joules. How had he gotten under my skin in such a short time?
Maybe I’d sleep on this bench.
When a hot wind blew down the subway tunnel, I glanced up. A train was stopping. Not a single soul hopped on? Weird. I hadn’t seen anyone descend the steps since Joules had boarded his train.
I’d tried everything to stop him. I’d told him, “My sister said you could stay with us. You and I can share my room.”
He’d sputtered, “It would no’ be right!”
I’d told him that I was dying to sleep with him, but he’d cited marriage again, adding, “What if the condom broke? How could I support a family?” Plus he hadn’t wanted to disrespect my sister by doing anything under her roof.
My virtuous Catholic Irishman. I’d tried to guilt him into it, saying, “Everything has to be your way. You refuse to budge an inch. I worry about what kind of relationship we’ll have.” He’d looked stricken.
But he hadn’t come back with me to the apartment.
Then last night, out of desperation, I’d admitted that those Tarot legends were real. I’d explained everything: his role, my role, the history, the danger. I’d told him something bad would happen soon, and he might not be able to get back to me.
He’d stabbed his fingers through his hair. “The thought of being separated from you makes me barmy!” His heart had thundered; I’d heard it, which meant my senses were sharpening, and the game was about to kick off.
“But you don’t believe me,” I’d said softly.
He’d exhaled. “I don’t know . . . it’s a lot to take in. I believe you believe it.”
All the pleasures I’d offered him, all the manipulative tricks I’d used, and I’d failed—
“Cally?”
My head whipped around. Joules was exiting the train! My heart leapt, and I ran to him.
He clasped me in his arms, burying his face against my neck. “I’ve missed you this half hour, lass.”
I’d missed him too! “You’ll never make your flight now.”
He drew back to gaze at me. “I’m not goin’.” He grazed his knuckles over my cheek.
“But you’re out of money.”
He grinned. “Then I’ll bloody well rob banks.” He sounded so confident. And it was sexy.
“Bloody? You just cursed, choirboy.”
He nodded. “I’m goin’ to loosen meself up a wee bit. You were right; I was pushing for things from you and not budging an inch. That weren’t fair to you.”