Page 73 of The Villain

I raise a brow and nod back.

“I’ll show you,” Max says with a scowl at Blaze.

He steps to my side, leaning down to get in Blaze’s face. “Back off.”

“Yeah, enjoy your bathroom time with her,” Blaze scoffs and steps back.

Max’s expression becomes taunting. “I can’t help it if Shade’s dick makes her happy, man. Cry to someone else about it.”

I couldn’t agree more. I’d only like this better if Shade was the one following me away.

“You have him on the hook,” Max says with excitement as soon as we’re beyond the table. “I haven’t seen him lose his shit like this before. He looked like he swallowed his tongue back there. He’s so fucked. He was all smooth for five seconds and you burnt that down before he could get started.”

Yeah, but he’s still trying to hide from me. Plus, Tera is getting sickened by the display. I forgot they were here.

“Don’t let Tera fool you. She likes that you’re getting together,” Max says and hands me a set of keys. “She just didn’t think about the physical side of things.”

I can understand that. I don’t think I’ve ever behaved like this before. Played bait. It’s not very effective so far.

“I don’t care about the show, but Tera pukes easily now,” he winces with a shrug.

I nod at him and unlock the door to slide inside. He waits for me to lock it and then knocks twice to let me know he’s leaving.

The set of stairs leading up is steep. I take them two at a time and stare at the barren room. The only thing in here is a table with three chairs. Everything else is dusty. I find the bathroom and go just to have something to do. I rinse my hands because there isn’t soap and then curse myself because there isn’t anything to dry them with. I’m lucky I had toilet paper now that I think about it.

I step out of the bathroom still drying my hands on my jeans. I don’t feel like I’m alone and it brings my attention up, my frustration with the lack of towels forgotten.

Shade is climbing the steps very slowly, soundless with the thumping music below, and a bit menacing. His eyes are on me with that emotionless expression that hides all his thoughts. But a blush still stains his cheeks. I know I locked that behind me.

When he reaches the top he stands there, blocking the exit. He has a duffle bag thrown over one shoulder.

My heart begins to pound as he looks me up and down as if he’s imagining removing every shred of clothing between us. He let me go fast enough that I was sure he wouldn’t follow me. I like that I was wrong.

I wonder what’s in the duffle bag? I smirk as I take it in.

He wants to play.

I toss the keys to him and he catches them without looking, an impressive feat that makes my pulse rate go up more.

He tosses the keys to the floor. I follow them with my eyes, watching as they bounce away as if they were spring loaded to land under the lonely table.

“Am I getting my show?” My grin turns feral as I watch him take two determined steps forward and pause. We’re a few feet away now, standing frozen as we stare at each other. His mask does a subtle shift but I still can’t read him.

“You’re serious.”

My brows go up. “Yeah.”

His expression falters, his mask sliding off to reveal confusion. The hand holding the strap of his duffle bag lets it drop to the floor. There’s the thump of something solid but the bag seems mostly empty. Whatever could be in there, monster?

“Were you waiting for me?” He asks warily.

“No. I thought you needed a break. I’m pleased you’re here, though.”

“I thought you were running.”

I huff a laugh at that. “Running? From what?”

“Me,” he says darkly. “I didn’t say anything to shut them up.”

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