Page 56 of Petals and Fangs

“And your lunch meeting?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

“I'm not hungry. Not for food at least,” he says, licks his lips, and places his hand on my shoulder. He does it a lot. I wonder if it is his way of intimidating me.

“You're insatiable,” I whisper, my body melting into his touch.

“My attorney can give me a call any minute now,” he says, running his other hand through his soft hair.

“Then, I should really get going.”

I smile at him and remove his hand from my shoulder, making my way to the elevator.

I suddenly can't help but notice a unit of medical equipment with an odd name, something that I have never read or heard of before.

“Ethan, what’s that?”

“No, Lily. Stay away from that.”

Chapter 12

Ethan

Lily knows. I am not certain what she knows exactly, but her eyes tell me that she knows something she should not have.

She does not know what kind of creature I am, but she must have some idea by now. I feel bad for practically dragging her from the basement, but as she was leaving, she insisted on inspecting some products that she shouldn’t come close to.

The tension between us was undeniable, and her heartbeat quickened whenever I got close to her. Her body responded to me in a way that it had never done before. I can tell she is suspicious.

“What's on your mind?” Perry asks, breaking my train of thought.

“Nothing,” I reply.

“Doesn't seem like nothing to me.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, for starters, you're sitting there staring off into space. You haven't even read the reports that have been sitting on this table for the past ten minutes. You refuse to drink, and you look like you're a million miles away.”

“It's nothing, Perry.”

“Mr. Rothschild, I have not only been your attorney for years, but I have known you for years too. I know when something is bothering you, and I know how you're trying to deal with it.”

“Work complications.”

“That is why I am here.”

“I can't share everything with you, Perry,” I grab the pack of cigarettes and light one.

“I know, and I understand. But whatever it is, it is affecting you. Let me help you, Mr. Rothschild.”

“Not today, Perry,” I exhale and lean back in my chair.

“Whatever you say, Mr. Rothschild. Now, look at this.”

“What is this?”

“These are the documents the FDA has been requesting.”

“So, they're already sending the letters. So soon? I was not expecting that.”

---