Double update! And here's why!

So today, whilst I sat on my break at work and worked on another update, I saw a ranking on another story. Curiosity got the better of me and I managed to find out my own rankings! Via readers- reading lists.

I'm completely blown away at the ones I received and I know it wouldn't have been possible without the help of you all lovely book worms!

Safe to say, it's made my week.

Here's the rankings today. Not sure if it changes daily, so I'll wear this cloak of pride until it changes.

Demons Without Desire -- #1 -GhostAdventures.

Serendipity -- #32 - Ghosts

Forgotten Flame -- #2 - Zak Bagans

Knight of Hell -- #18 - GhostAdventures

Entwined Fire #13 - Zak Bagans

This story. Devils Trap - #94 -paranormal.

I'm absolutely stoked! And once upon a time, I convinced myself that Nobody would have read my stories. I can't find my other rankings out because nobody has added them to their reading lists lately. But if you guys can let me know. I'll be grateful! Especially my Aaron fanfic. - Love to you all! 😘😘

+++++++

I narrowed my eyes at the six foot something man, stood in front of the cameras, talking with his mouth as well as his hands. Since arriving yesterday, he had made a few snide comments about myself being incompetent at doing the lone investigating and how I need to be, supervised... his words, not mine.

He had turned into a miserable, old, grizzly bear who had been woken up during his hibernation.

Where a bear would roar down at you, Zak would moan and pick apart everything you did or suggested.

And it was wearing thin.... Fast.

I had been briefly introduced for the audience that would watch us at home and had since been demoted to stand in the corner of the room, out of everyone's way whilst the interviews took place. Where Zak fed a few lines to the camera and some smouldering looks leaving everyone, and yes even myself to eat them up.

What can I say, I love to hate him.

Leaning against the wall, I fished out the key and thumbed at it through comfort before pushing it against my lips. A movement I had always done since I had gotten it. It was my thinking tool, my calmness and a reminder that patience is almost always key in situations.

My eyes fell to a section of the polished flooring that didn't reflect the sun as what the rest of it did. The sections was rectangular and a little big to be a buffing mistake.

And speaking of mistakes, my mind threw in Jack.

The mistake of me even bringing my cellphone whilst we filmed today because he had been nonstop with his messages. Wanting to know if we could talk, when I would be home, if I slept well and if my aunties dogs cousin twice removed has had its annual flea treatment... - okay the last one isn't true.. But you get my drift.

I wasn't mad with him anymore, mostly disappointed that he wouldn't defend me in front of his mom. That he wouldn't tell her to back off me and accept that we are together. No, he just put up, and shut up. Like me in the bedroom. And if you haven't guessed by now, my own mind was against me today.

I wanted someone who would be in my corner, batting the insults away like gnats at a barbecue, but Jack didn't want to be that person, and for some reason, despite his faults. That stung.

I wanted more from him, more commitment, passion and fire. Not spreadsheets, expenditure forms and a love making plan. Oh and let's not forget dinners at mommy's house, where she can insult me some more.

"You okay?" A voice came pulling me out of my mind.

Looking up, I found Zak stood in front of me with concern written across his face. I move my head in a circular motion, unsure of how my answer was going to go, until I decided on a yes.

It had to be a yes.

Because I'm not giving him a reason to kick me off the investigation. I had to get my head into the game.

"Y--Yes. Yes sorry, lost in thought."

He nods in understanding. "If you want to get some fresh air. Just slip out, there's water in the car and make sure you eat something too."

"Okay." I answer now feeling conflicted on my previous statement of him being a miserable old grizzly bear. Now he was caring... A care bear? - Stop Delilah.

He was a man of mixed signals, one minute he was caring, another he was mean, the next he was concerned and then he was irritated. I couldn't keep up, I can't keep up with any man's emotion, and they say women are difficult?

Please...

It's a known fact that women get pissed off when men don't listen, and don't help.

We get upset when we are ignored or treated like shit.

We're happy when we have attention and food. Always food.

And we go gooey as hell when a man interacts with kids, or my case, puppy's or dogs. Not to mention when they show some compassion as well as gentleness.

We aren't that difficult. We just want credit where it's due.

Deciding to take Zak's offer up on a cold bottle of water, I quietly make my way out when I hear a conversation...

"He needs to lay off her.." Dakota speaks.

"I'm telling you, he's got it bad about having a woman on the team. You know, he's bet to me that he gives it the interviews before she's left the house. That she will wimp out." Bacon speaks.

"He made a bet?" Jay questions sounding appalled.

"Fifty buck." Bacon replies.

I scoff and turn to look at Zak who's stood next to the home owner listening to them talk. He looks over at me gives a small smile and before he looks back at the owner giving them his full attention.

My mind told me to interrupt the conversation, call him an asshat and demand the fifty from him so I can burn it and then knee him in the nuts again. Because I know it hurts him.

But so does being constantly knocked!

I glare at Zak hoping he would look at me again. But when he doesn't, I decide that all is not lost. I'll stay for this whole damn filming. And I'll have him back...

+++

Sitting in the restaurant, I make sure I'm sat close by Zak and Bacon. In fact I get between them both. Taking the seat to Zak's left as he sits at the head of the table, he smiles, unknowing on what I had planned for him..

Did I spike his meal?

Stamp on his cutlery?

Put salt in his drink?

Before I could decide, the waitress came over to take our orders and I saw my starter. Just as he went to order first, like he always did. I jumped in, gave my order and then passed the role onto Bacon, who was sat on the left of  me. The ordering then continued until Zak was the last person, bored of waiting and annoyed.

Point one.

My second line of attack was to play footsie, with both Zak and Bacon... At the same time.

I felt Bacon look at me almost in shock before he did it back and I simply sighed with a gentle smile whilst looking at the drinks menu.

When I gave Zak the side eye, he too wore a smirk and began it back.

Slowly, I retracted my feet from both men, until their feet found each other's. Both of the idiots were pleased with themselves. Both thinking they were having a harmless under the table flirt with me.

With Zak sat at the head of the table, he  had no idea of what was happening underneath.

And one occasion when I felt bacons foot move back, I drew them both back together with a teasing rub up the inside of Zak's calf making him clear his throat.

It continued...

Then I executed my plan.

I had an alarm set on my phone, the same as my ringtone. So when it went off, I stood up abruptly and excused myself quickly leaving the realisation to dawn on both of their faces before Zak's face twisted and he pulled himself up right and Bacon went for a hasty cigarette.

And my last came like a bitchslap. When I unscrewed the salt lid after I used it and Zak dumped a large portion of it over his food.

"Fuck it." He curses looking at the white pile.

"Maybe you could scrape some of it off?" I suggest.

"With that?!" He asks annoyed.

"Maybe that $50 you bet with Bacon about me leaving the house earlier. I'm sure Bacon has one to spare as well."

The table fell silent and Bacon looks to Dakota accusingly.

"I heard you talking, no bragging.. Not cute." I inform Bacon.

"You fucked with my food on purpose?" Zak spoke.

"Yep. I would share but..." I gesture to the prawn curry. "It appears you're allergic to prawns."

"You bitch." He growls as Billy calls for a little calm between us.

"Karma is the bitch. I'm just the server... Don't test me." I warn.

The atmosphere around us changes on a dime and I sit back before smiling. "But feel free to eat it. I've lost my appetite, you'll both cover my food. Right guys? As an apology?" I ask both Zak and Bacon before leaving the table and the restaurant.

[18]

Zak watches her sail out the door with her hair blowing behind her. A smile on her lips as she slips past the window, giving him a final wink before disappearing.

"Dear God, I hate her. I fucking hate her!" He snaps pushing his plate aside, he gets up and leaves the table throwing money down, enough to cover his meal and hers.

"Where are you going?" Aaron asks.

"Out for a walk." Zak grunts before disappearing out the restaurant in the opposite direction of Delilah.

He stays close to the restaurant, waiting for the crew to finish their meals, but whilst he waited, he paced the block, trying to rid some of the anger that boiled away.

After his next countless lap, the crew emerged talking almost themselves before loading up into the hire cars.

"What about Del–"

"She can walk." Zak interrupts causing Bacon to nod gently and start the car.

The way back to the rental was quiet, neither man spoke to the other. Zak was too angry to discuss or even speak about what had happened and how she even knew. But he was mad at Bacon as well. Not to mention himself for yet again making her the joke of the team. Her persistence was an attribute he liked. Or at least he did, until today. Now he hated the air she occupied.

Once back at the rental, he stormed towards the kitchen, intent on getting some food when he found Delilah, sat on the side with Peanut Butter on Toast.

"Hey. Enjoy your meal?" She asks.

Fire licked at his soul and he stormed across the kitchen. His hand grabbed her wrist, causing her eyes to widen in uncertainty. She was unsure of what he had planned.

But just as he planned to bawl her out, he saw something dangerous flick across her eyes. Uncertainty, satisfaction and what he could only peg down as lust. So Zak decided to return he favour from earlier in a different way and removed the toast from her hand and ate the piece in front of her. Watching the annoyance bite her features.

"Fucking wonderful." He replies back with a smirk making her snatch her wrist back.

"Well have the next piece.. On me." She responds and slams the toast, peanut butter side down, into his shirt before hopping off the side.

He watched her ass she she sauntered away, her black hair floating down her back like a mane. It has its own life force, its own defence mechanism which batted away the shit thrown at her. Zak then looked to the piece of toast as it hit the floor before looking at the yellow paste his shirt. Cocking his head, he rolled his shoulders and removed his shirt calmly, knowing tomorrow night, in the lock down. He would have his own back.

Like she said, Karma was a bitch, only he was the server now.