Page 120 of The Darkest Chase

Fuck.

Thunder cracks overhead, underscoring my thoughts. The rain smells sharp on the cool ground. I crouch down in the clearing, running my fingers through the loose earth where a post was pulled up. Rolf sets his nose to the ground—then lets out a yip, his ears pricking.

He knows what they’ve been doing here.

He can smell it, and so can I.

“If dogs could talk, eh, old man?” I drape an arm over him. “What would you tell me, Rolf? What the hell should I do?”

13

DARK SHADOWS (TALIA)

Ithink I might be pissing Xavier Arrendell off.

In his office, I lean over his desk, flipping through the Post-its I put in the sample books I brought along for our meeting today.

He listens quietly as I talk about all things material, pointing out which colors would complement each other and asking his opinion on anything he doesn’t like or would like to switch with something else.

He's noncommittal, occasionally letting out a half-interested grunt, though he doesn’t argue back at anything I propose.

Weird. It’s almost like he’s losing interest in the project.

Whatever. Honestly, as long as he’s still willing to sign the contract, make the payment, and go through with it, I don’t care how he feels.

I’d actually prefer if he was more hands-off, considering how he’s tried to be too hands-on with me.

This would be a lot easier if he’d just stand back and let us do our thing.

Maybe it’s the possibility of exercising a little creative freedom that actually has me excited today. Even if he’s not enthused, I still enjoy explaining color palettes, texture contrasts between wood and upholstery, all the little things that go into making a finished piece.

If I’m being honest, it’s not just work-related excitement.

Because right before I headed out to meet Xavier this morning, there was a little buzz in my pocket.

Micah: When can I see you again?

With one little text, he lit my whole world.

Tonight? I answered. Your place? I don’t want to wake Grandpa.

I felt so dangerous saying that, knowing what it implied. And I half expected Micah to laugh and tell me he only wanted to hang out and talk about the case he was working, and how it might be connected to the Jacobins.

Micah: My place. I’ll cook. Don’t wear anything too nice. It won’t be on long.

Ahhhh!

But I’ve been on cloud nine since that text.

Especially when I can still feel that sore, wonderful imprint of him. I can’t help remembering his shape, his size, the slow, deep glide as he claimed me in ways I had no idea I could ever be taken. I’m still in disbelief a man like him could—

Rude, rough fingers grasp my chin.

So cold it feels like being touched by the dead.

That kills my sexy thoughts, throwing me back into reality.

I’ve been talking this entire time, but I was so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed Xavier’s attention shifting, moving from the sample book to me.

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