Page 113 of Shades of Silver City

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Tasia,” he says gently. “You’re shaking.”

He pulls me off the dance floor and into a private room beyond the curtains. Leading me to a chaise, he guides me to a seated position, then kneels in front of me. He looks like a fallen angel, with his dark mask and shining hair, his fierce scowl and tattoos. And even though I can’t see his aura in this lighting, I know it’s there, as golden as ever.

He’s the perfect mixture of light and dark. Of purity and danger.

The emotions his presence evokes in me are so intense that I turn my gaze to the floor.

“Look at me,” he says quietly.

Static runs through my veins, and I oblige, facing him. “Who was that?”

Archer opens his mouth, then shuts it, running a hand through his hair and messing up the perfectly styled waves.

“Arlo Osiander is just a rich bastard with a mysterious past. I’ve never actually met the guy, but I hate him more than anyone.”

“Why?” I ask.

“He’s up to something. Snatching up property around the city—specifically, outbidding me on every property I try to purchase. And I’m pretty sure he has half the Ministries in his pocket, considering I can’t get permits for any of the shelters I’m building downtown.” Archer grits his teeth. “It’s like the guy is out to get me. And worst of all? He’s good at hiding his tracks digitally. Pixel only just got a photo of the man recently.”

“He knew me,” I say. Was he using me in an attempt to get to Archer, since they have such a sordid rivalry going on?

Archer growls, glancing over his shoulder. “What did he say?”

“Nothing, really. You got there before he could say anything. Why did you interrupt, anyway? And don’t tell me it’s because you hate the guy. I very well could’ve gotten information on him.”

He cups my jaw. “Is seeing another man’s lips on yours not enough of a reason?”

I bite my lip to keep my mouth shut. My cheeks heat, and I’m glad he likely won’t notice my blush in this lighting. Arlo wasn’t kissing me, but I’m sure that’s what it looked like to Archer.

“You’re right,” I say. “That might ruin our cover. Can’t have someone else kissing your date.”

“Tasia,” he murmurs, stroking the bottom of my mask with his thumb. “It’s not some date I care about. It’s you.”

My breath hitches, and I search his expression, trying to decipher the intentions behind his declaration. Slowly, my lips lift into a smirk. “You’re jealous.”

“I don’t want anyone’s lips on yours,” he says. He slides his hand to the back of my head and pulls my face to his until our masks touch at the forehead. “Anyone else’s but mine,” he whispers, his warm breath fanning across my lips. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and before I can formulate a response, he presses his mouth to mine.

His lips are soft but firm. They don’t linger long. When he starts to pull back, I reach for him, fisting my hands in his shirt and pulling him back to me.

This time when our lips meet, there’s less hesitation. Fire erupts beneath my skin, and it’s as if I’m floating and burning at the same time.

I encircle my legs around him. With ease, he reverses our positions so he’s on the couch and I’m straddling him. Our kisses grow fervent, and I moan into his mouth. Each second that passes, he hardens between us.

After a few intense minutes, the kisses slow, until we’re tenderly making out. When we pause for air, we’re both breathing hard.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he says. His lips meet mine again, and I breathe in his smile. “Since the moment I met you.”

My heart stutters.

This is more than a hookup.

This is more than mere attraction.

I don’t know exactly what it is… It’s just more.

But…the memory of him turning me down when I laid myself bare for him is still a raw wound.

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