Death Knows My Name (Memory Keepers) (4 page)

Spiiissss Spiiissssss!

I glanced over toward the kitchen where the noise was coming from. I groaned my frustration. I rested my head forward on his shoulder.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mumbled.

Eric’s body trembled with laughter. He stepped back.

Spiiissssss!

“What is that?” he asked.

I lifted my head up. “The water for the rice. I’m cooking dinner. Normally I love cooking, but right now, not so much.”

Eric took me by the waist and brought me closer to the edge of the table. This had me right up against a very stiff part of him. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear.

“At the moment, I am more interested in dessert. Especially when chocolate’s on the menu.” His voice was heavier than normal. Lifting me from the table, he placed my feet on the floor. He held my waist a bit longer then kissed me deeply and when he released me, I gulped in air trying to catch my breath.

Recovered enough, I went to the kitchen to see if dinner was still an option. One peek into the pan showed it was savable. I brought the water to boil again to fluff up the rice. The food in the wok was surprisingly unharmed.

Eric came into the kitchen, T-shirt re-adorned. When he handed me mine, I grumbled my thanks. He seemed to have cooled down, and he leaned against the sink counter, watching me with his arms crossed.

“Do we need to talk about this?”

I shook my head. “No. At least not right now. Nothing happened. So let’s just be thankful,” I lied.

“Thankful is the last thing I am. I want to taste every inch of you. I won’t be happy until I sink into you”—he paused and I whimpered, imagining the pleasure—“to the hilt every night, all night, and again when you wake each morning. That’s when I will be thankful and only then.”

I hadn’t realized I had closed the distance between us until his arms wrapped around me possessively. My lips found his and my tongue touched his lips, begging for entrance. His lips parted and our tongues met.

“Oh God, Eric,” I moaned into his mouth.

He only kissed me for a little while longer, then he lifted his mouth from mine. I whined. He buried his face in my neck. He inhaled deeply. He made a soft
mmm
sound.

“But, until you no longer feel thankful we were interrupted, it will go no further.” The desire in his voice awakened every inch of my skin.

He stepped around me, grabbing plates and silverware to set the table. “I’m staying for dinner.” He walked out of the kitchen.

“Uh, I am already no longer thankful.” I pouted. Damn it. Can girls get blue balls? I think Ectain Edeck was giving me a serious case. I stalked after him, very frustrated. What pissed me off even more was he was sitting there with my dog on his lap and Big Jim was all happy like Eric was his owner. I grabbed the glasses from the bar and set them down hard on the table. I didn’t slam them, but the description was not too far off. I’m guessing a symptom of female blue balls is anger.

Eric smirked.

I hate him.

Chapter 4

We ate in silence. Honestly, I wasn’t pouting. I
could
not fall for Eric. I
did
not even like him. Even as I told myself this I knew I lied. Something about Eric rang too familiar to not be drawn to him.

“This is good. Why do you eat so much junk food if you love to cook?”

“I hate cooking for only myself. It reminds me of how alone I am.”

He nodded. “It’s good.” He continued chewing.

“I have to ask. Did that guy make it? I never even got his name, what was it?”

“Do you really want me to say his name?” He raised a defined brow.

I leaned forward. “Is that how it works?”

He nodded. “Yes. I never say names in regular conversation. I only speak them—”

“Your eyes change colors,” I blurted.

Confused, he narrowed his gaze at me. “What do you mean?”

“At the restaurant, your eyes did this thing before the guy had his attack. They went from honey to dark amber, as smooth as whiskey.”

He laughed softly. “Honey? You mentioned that earlier.”

My face burned with embarrassment. “Anyway, so you say a name and
splat
, the person dies?”

“Not
splat
usually. But I get the idea, and yes.”

“What if more than one person has the same name?”

“You have no idea how often that’s happened. How many people have ‘near death’ experiences? I call a name and there are hundreds of souls when I look up. I have to send the wrong ones back and they have an ‘I’ve seen the light’ story. What light exactly, I have no idea. There is no damn light. I don’t get it.” He appeared truly perplexed.

“How do you figure out who is the right one?”

He shrugged. “Sometimes I can’t. Usually they are helpful and truly want to figure it out as well.”

“And if they aren’t and you can’t figure it out? Do they get to live, all of them?”

“Of course not.” He paused. “Those who don’t help and, therefore, try and cheat death out of a soul— they all die. I deliver all their souls to . . . wherever the original soul was going.”

I gulped. “Hell.”

“Sheol. But yes, usually the people who try to hide their identity from me and those who try to add to the confusion are slated for Sheol.”

“Call it what you like, but it’s still Hell,” I snapped.

“I call it what it is called. Hell is a human concept,” he scolded.

“Helloooo.” I pointed to myself dramatically. “I am human.”

“That is obvious. And I am not.”

“Which is just as obvious, Eric.”

He nodded. “So it is.”

“What’s the most common name you have a problem with?” I asked, changing the subject.

“You’ll have to guess, unless you want people dropping dead all over the place.”

I smiled. “Not John Smith?”

“Yes! Why do people still name their kids that? It’s beyond me.”

I grinned. “I’m sure if they knew this, they’d stop. What about people who change their names?”

He shrugged. “It is impossible to change one’s name. Legally, maybe, but what you get from your parents can’t be changed. Even with middle names there are still so many duplicates. I appreciate creative parents a lot.”

“What of the parentless?”

“We all have those we get our name from, Mayne.” Our eyes met and my heart did this silly, stupid little flip. He smiled, pleased. Damn. I cannot, CANNOT be falling for him. No way.

“Wait, do vampires exist?” I asked suddenly, remembering his earlier comment.

He choked on his laughter. “What?”

“You said you didn’t need an invitation to enter because you aren’t a vampire. So please tell me they do NOT exist.”

He was very amused. “Rest easy. They are fictional, but they are based on something real. But you have nothing to worry about when it comes to those things. They are long since bound.”

“Based on something real?”
Holy crap
.

“They are not a danger. It’s just silly little, early century mythoi.” He was laughing.

I guess if you’re death, what have you to fear?

My eyes opened to the angry ring of the phone. Okay, maybe it was me who was angry and not the phone. Grumbling, I rolled over to grab my cell phone off the nightstand, still upset from not waking up next to a certain male body sharing my bed.

Was I going crazy? Eric and I just met now I wanted to get my rocks off by him? Maybe I
was
a slut. Though it had been awhile since I had sex so maybe it’s more my rocks
dusted
off?

When the phone continued to ring, I answered.

“Yes?”

“You’re late.” Devon’s annoyed voice.

“I don’t feel well, can I call in?”

He sighed. “Is this a real sick or the ‘I am still so tired that I feel bad’ sick?”

“Does it matter?” I inquired. He remained silent. “Fine, the second one, but I had a late night.”

He laughed. “What,
When Harry Met Sally
got intense?”

“I will have you know that movie is a classic. A classic, do you hear me? I will not have you take that tone with it.”

“Get to work.” He was still laughing as he hung up. What the hell does he know? It’s a good movie, damn it!

Again, I found myself hauling butt down 5th Avenue. This time it took longer than the forty-five minutes it took last time. The main reason was because I used the time to straighten my hair.

I’m not entirely sure what happened next, but I ended up on my butt.

“Oomph.” I groaned.

My guess is a small woman had plowed into me from around the corner because she was now sprawled next to me on the ground.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t— I wasn’t paying attention,” the pixie-sized woman with a red bob and startling green eyes said in one breath.

She was already scrambling to collect her things that were strewn all over the sidewalk. People rudely stepped around us, not even bothering to help.

“It’s all right. You sure pack a wallop for such a tiny thing,” I stated, helping her gather her things.

She grinned. “Yeah, size is deceptive.”

I righted myself as I picked up the last item. Handing her the things I had collected in my arms, I peeked at my watch. “Oh, I’ve got to go or my boss is really going to fire me.”

She nodded. “Same here. Let me buy you a drink later to apologize for knocking you on your ass.”

I shook my head. “Totally not necessary. See you around.” I started to turn from her.

“But I insist. I am going to be racked with guilt otherwise.” She was a persistent little thing and her southern drawl marked every word she spoke but tinged some heavier than others.

“I’m not a lesbian or anything. I’m just new to town and I’m tired of drinking alone,” she continued.

“That’s good, because you aren’t my type.”

She laughed at that and stuck out her hand. “Tammy.”

Reluctantly, I shook her hand. “I’m Mayne.”

“Like the state? Awesome!”

I nodded. “Just like the state . . . only with a Y.” I sighed. “I get off work at 7:00.”

“Okay, I work at Lenny’s on 5th and Diamond. Meet me there we can walk to the bar around the corner called My State of Mine. It’s a weird name, but it’s a nice place. You know it?” she asked as my heart almost stopped.

“Yeah, I know it.” I hoped I didn’t sound as gloomy as I felt. I knew it all right. It was named after me. Maine, just like the state.

Devon took a moment from handing the strawberry blonde, who was desperately flirting with him, her cup just to glare at me as I walked in the door.

Hiding a smile, I made my way behind the counter.

“Sorry I’m late.” I leaned in, and Devon gave me his cheek to kiss out of habit. “Babe.” I swatted his behind and grinned as the other woman’s eyes widened.

Devon protested. “No! What? Wait!” he called after her. “It’s not like that.” He glared at me once again.

I shrugged. “What did I do?” I asked innocently. He just glared. “Come on Devon, don’t you think you have enough poon?”

He looked appalled. “There is no such thing.” He bumped our hips together. “Now get to work.”

This was my favorite position to work, serving. I was able to sort of zone out unless we were too backed up, then I helped make the orders, too.

At 6:40, I began to clean up my station and wipe down the counters just as Devon re-emerged from the office.

“You aren’t going to stay late since you were late coming in?” he asked.

I looked at him like he was crazy. “For one, I don’t do the lounge shift. Besides, I actually have plans tonight.”

His brows shot up, and then he nodded. “Right, hot date with
Titanic
?”

I frowned. “That’s a totally overrated movie. If you’re looking for a good Leonardo DiCaprio movie, I’d recommend
Romeo and Juliet
. It’s Clare Danes and Leo at their best. But to answer your question, no, I’m going out for drinks.”

This time he really looked shocked. “Are you serious?” he questioned.

“Yes I am, my friend.” I shrugged. “No big deal. Just a drink or two with a girl I met.”

“Wrong. This is a huge deal! You never go out. Not since Dante—”

“Okay, don’t say his name, not if you want to keep me from falling apart right here on your floor.”

“He has been gone for years now. He would want you to move on and live your life. It’s like you died right along with him.”

“I wish,” I murmured.

Devon eyed me with concern.

“What? I do . . . did . . . do.”

“I know, but people die. That’s life. The difference is that you let it change you. You were so full of life and so much fun. We loved being around you because you were such a joy to be with. You would laugh and smile. When my brother died, it’s like that part of you disappeared all together. It didn’t even fade, it was just there one day and gone the next. Even after Dante, you still tried a little, to date. You used to be the life of the party, now you just sit in your house like a damn recluse and watch lame-ass, sappy movies.”

“Are you trying to say I’m not fun, Devon?” I smiled.

“You still can’t take shit serious, I see.” He shoved me gently.

I laughed. “I take it seriously, Devon, that’s the joke.” I leaned against the counter.

Devon met and held my gaze. “Don’t you ever get lonely?”

I couldn’t answer right away. I couldn’t lie to him, and Eric’s cocky smile and honey-colored eyes flashed through my mind. Even at the thought of him my heartbeat increased.

I couldn’t feel this way about Eric. He represented everything I was running from. He takes from the living. He ruins us. Still, my body responded even to the thought of him.

“Mayne?” Devon broke into my thoughts.

“I have to go. I don’t want to be late.” I pushed away from the counter and walked away.

Devon caught me by the wrist. “I worry about you, that’s all. I know I give you a hard time, but you know I love you. We’re like family.”

“I know, Devon.” I leaned into him, kissing his cheek. “I love you, too.” He closed his arms around me. “You don’t have to worry about me, Devon. I’m a big girl now.”

His head nodded against mine. “But I do. You will always be that little girl who used to follow your brother and me around. I’ve always felt the urge to protect you. When he died, I just took you on as my responsibility. And when Dante told me he was going to date you, I even threatened him not to hurt you.”

I laughed. “Didn’t work.” I felt moistness on my cheek and realized I was crying. “Um, Devon, you have to let me go now.”

He held on tighter. “But I don’t want to. You hardly ever let me touch you anymore, let alone hug you. This is twice in one week, I’m in heaven,” he joked.

I held still and fought the urge to squirm. “I know, because I’m not a kid anymore and people are starting to think we’re weird.”

Devon loosened his grip and then released me altogether. “Don’t drink too much. If you do, call me so I can get you home safely. I don’t want you walking home drunk.”

“Me? Drunk? Never.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.” I turned and walked away. I looked back when I got to the door.

“Night, Devon.”

He smiled and waved.

I walked into Lenny’s at 7:30. After my love-fest stroll through memory lane with Devon, I was ready for a drink. I caught Tammy’s eye as soon as I walked in. She grinned.

“I’ll be ready soon,” she called out.

I sat on the plastic-covered bench by the front door to wait. Two booted feet stopped in front of me.

“So, you didn’t call me,” said a deep, slightly hoarse sounding voice.

I looked up to see Mr. Lounge Singer smiling down at me. The guy was attractive.

I shrugged. “No, I did not.”

“Then maybe I can call you.” It wasn’t a question.

“I’m not trying to be rude, but I’m really not interested. Sorry.”

Just then Tammy walked up. “Hey, Michael, what’s up? Oh, you know Mayne?”

He smiled wider. “Like the state?” He was looking at me, but it was Tammy who answered.

“Just like the state but with a Y.” She nodded. “I literally ran her over this morning on my way here. She didn’t cuss me out, so I figured she had to be cool.”

I noticed that Tammy had a slight southern accent when she yammered away.

“Really?” Michael turned to face Tammy.