Page 39 of Petals and Fangs

“Yes?” she blinks at me.

“Why did you leave so suddenly?” I ask. That was not the most important question, but I just wanted to ask her that.

“It was inappropriate to stay in your bed like that. Plus, I was late for the office.”

“Did something happen? Did I do something wrong? I just wanted to make you a nice breakfast and apologize for the way I have been acting and talking.”

“I felt like we went a little too far. And yes, something did happen.”

“Tell me. Let me fix it.”

“I cannot. It is too silly,” she replies.

“How is your hand?” I ask her. I can't control myself. Her scent is overwhelming.

“It still stings a little. It should heal in a couple of days.”

“It is good. I should have taken care of it more, though.”

“You did. Don't worry.”

“Can we start over, please?” the words suddenly escape my mouth.

I don’t want to start over, but if that is what it takes me to make her happy, then I will happily do it.

“What do you mean?” Lily chuckles.

“Let us just pretend that nothing happened between us today.”

“Has anything happened?” she asks. I can tell she is teasing me, but who am I to judge? She is good at it.

“Just don't set foot in my clubs again, Lily. Please.”

“You can't make that demand. That is unfair.”

“It is not.”

“Yes, it is. I had fun last night, till you came along.”

“I had to come along. If I hadn’t, you can never guess what would have happened to you there.”

“You are being dramatic, once again. You didn’t have this trait before.”

“The people in there are not for you, Lily. Terrible things happen in there, and I don’t want to elaborate on it any longer.”

“You own those places, which means they should be safe.”

“Yes, they are, but they are not meant for people like you.”

“And who am I?”

“Someone who I do not want to see anywhere near the El Diablo,” I look down at her.

“You cannot stop me, Mr. Rothschild,” she replies.

“Why are you so persistent on wanting to go there?” I ask her, getting a little annoyed.

“I just like it, that's all.”

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