Page 17 of Their Dark Rose

Mason’s icy glare digs into me. Other than that, he’s no different, wearing one of his charcoal gray suits, his hip perched on the white marble counter.

Finn leans on the window furthest from me. His leather jacket hugs his lean frame like it was made for him. As does his white T-shirt beneath it and his dark blue jeans.

He takes another bite of his apple, although he doesn’t do it to annoy Mason. His eyes aren’t fixed on anyone but me. His diabolical smile is directed at me.

The snow’s gleaming white glow behind him is misleading at best. There’s nothing angelic about him.

I’ll have my clarity when I look at Falk. When his reprimanding scowl reminds me of my place in this house.

Once, two months ago, he licked his lip when he watched me cook.

One time.

He won’t do it again. Most likely, he was just hungry.

I turn to him, only to realize how wrong I’ve been.

Wearing black pants and a black T-shirt, he’s a ravenous panther.

Eager to strike.

And I’m his target.

CHAPTER FOUR

Ilooked for clarity from Falk. I definitely got what I asked for.

He’s not mad at me for taking my time. And this isn’t intensity plaguing the kitchen.

Sex and danger plague the air, so thick I can hardly breathe.

There’s nothing imaginary about what I’m seeing in their eyes anymore. This isn’t a drill.

What changed from when they were being themselves outside my door and now? What have they been talking about while I’ve been in my room?

They won’t tell me, obviously.

I should just accept it.

It should arouse me, and it does. I’m also so very terrified.

For a while now, I’ve wanted this. Wanted them. But even in my wildest fantasies, I couldn’t have imagined this. How being the center of their heated attention would feel like. How it’d make my toes curl and my insides churn all at once.

They’re my nightmares and dreams entwined.

I want them to continue.

I want them to stop.

I don’t know what I want. I just know I have to say something.

Teasing. Teasing always does the job of reminding them they don’t like me at all.

“You summoned me, Your Highness?”

“Briar.” It’s as though a panther slithered into Falk’s vocal cords, the way he purrs.

His gait is feral as well as he closes the short distance between us ever so slowly. Contrary to his scary walk I heard from the staircase, he prowls to me now.

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