Rosier leaned back in his desk chair, a scowl on his face. Still upset over the party he would be missing. Most likely his motivation for stealing the file was an assumed invitation to the party in exchange.

Our motel room had two beds. My duffel bag sat neatly atop my bed and his was already unmade, covers askew, and pillows lost, somehow. We hadn’t even slept in them yet. The room itself was fine. A bit outdated with the mustard-colored carpet and wood finishings but devoid of bed bugs and stray needles which was all we really needed. I’m not sure if he had expected a hot tub or access to the minibar but this was really the best Redding had to offer.

Maggie’s file lay spilled over the desk, her disappointing transcripts, records for misdemeanors, one sloppy mugshot for shoplifting although the charges were dropped. She looked unfamiliar in the photo. Obviously older but with an attitude, I had never seen her command before. Her large eyes bore into the camera, half hooded with makeup smudged beneath them. She looked bored. Or high. Or both. This was so alien to the Maggie that I had left behind. The Maggie I knew was thirteen, had just had her first kiss, cried when scolded, did multiple drafts of her homework. This girl was different. Tougher. The file was entirely about Maggie, it didn’t even mention the last place she had been seen. Something, I made a mental note to ask the detective about when I saw him.

I tried to tame my dark hair in the mirror. I had kept it tightly tied back all day after neglecting to brush out my bedhead and taking an unexpected early morning dip in the ocean. Now I was forced to just accept it as was. I had been hoping for carefree beach waves. Instead, I achieved ‘finger in an electrical socket’. With a sigh, I placed the comb on the edge of the sink and exited the bathroom.

Rosier still sat in the chair at the desk, now he was carelessly flipping through a book. He didn’t look up as I approached. I pulled it from his hands and checked the cover.

“Don’t you see the irony of you reading the bible or are you choosing to ignore it?” I asked, tossing it back into the bedside table drawer he had pulled it from.

“Sometimes people leave money in it.” He informed me. It was becoming glaringly obvious that he couldn’t refrain from deviant behavior for more than five minutes.

“If I leave you here will you be able to stay out of trouble?” I asked, hands on my hips.

“You’re wearing makeup.” He pointed out. “And jewelry.” He stared at the bracelet around my wrist and the hoops that dangled from my ears. His voice was flat. A shallow attempt at getting a rise out of me?

“I was wearing makeup and jewelry earlier today, too.” I said, walking to my duffel and slipping an eyeshadow brush back inside.

“Maybe but now it’s like you’re really wearing it.” He leaned back in the chair. I could feel his eyes boring holes into my back.

“Is… is it too much?” I turned towards him, suddenly self-conscious. He broke into a smile. Right. It was an attempt to get a rise out of me. He got to his feet and circled me. Not unlike he had done that morning, which felt ages ago. “Rosier. What is it.” It was a question but the way I growled it was more of a demand.

“You smell nice, too.” He stopped behind me and leaned over me, brushing my hair from my shoulder. He inhaled slowly. I was frozen in place and listened to him take that breath. I looked up and caught the view of us in the mirror above the desk. I stumbled slightly, evading his grasp. I felt his palm on the small of my back guiding me. I took a seat on the edge of the bed. His touch had sent bursts of electricity through me. He hovered for a moment before sitting in his chair again, delighted. I clenched my jaw, staring at him through narrowed eyes.

“Don’t do that.” I warned although my voice sounded weak. I stared at him for a moment. He looked back with dark, knowing eyes.

He really appeared how I subconsciously wanted him too? Why would I want a handsome demon that captivated my attention? Why would I want to be caught vulnerable by those reflective eyes? This didn’t make any sense. I had finally become stable and he was a flame, dangerous and unpredictable. That didn’t mean I could ignore what was feeling less like a radar for the sinister and more like warmth between my legs. I wished that when he touched me my skin would crawl. Instead, it felt like I was on fire, encapsulated by that flame. It wasn’t a secret that he was incredibly attractive, it was a truth I chose to ignore.

I had been staring for too long. He was aware. He liked it. I told myself to look away. To stop looking at his lips.

“Clara,” He said softly. That was out of character. It broke my trance. One of his hands reached for me. I wondered what it would be like to surrender to it.

“I’m leaving.” I got to my feet and headed for the door. “Stay here. Don’t cause trouble.” I grabbed my keys from the desk and walked outside without looking back.

“As you wish…” He said in that same soft tone. I paused, trying to shake it off.

“Lock this behind me.” I said before pulling it closed. I could almost swear I heard him chuckle. I waited in the darkness, under the flickering aid of a streetlamp to hear the soft click of the deadbolt before I started towards the woods.