Page 45 of Haunt the Mall

He tugged the collar of his shirt and talked to the gentleman taking tickets. The guy shrugged and shook his head.

Victor huffed and glanced out the glass doors, his face pink. He tapped his toes and spared a moment to check his phone as he helped scan people in. Was he looking—and waiting—for me? Or was he dealing with a rush of customers and a rogue employee?

My heart clawed at my ribcage. Call him, my dark urges insisted. If he answered, he liked me. If he didn’t…well, he was working. It didn’t mean anything.

Still, my fingers shook as I dialed him.

The True Blood theme song blasted from his pocket, startling Victor and everyone else in the vicinity. I covered my mouth to muffle a laugh. Was he that into lusty vampires? Or did he pick that salacious tune for me?

Fumbling for his phone, he excused himself from the entrance to answer. “Hello, Miss Silver.”

That silky smooth voice contrasted with the awkward way he adjusted the phone from a perch between his cheek and shoulder to his hand. He paced the perimeter of the floor and glanced out the glass doors, running his fingers through his bangs.

He was nervous. For me, maybe.

I smiled and tilted my head. “Hello, Mr. Sterling.”

“Shall I prepare you a VIP seat for the 1:00 showing?”

“Mm, no. I’m disappointed I won’t be in theater thirteen.”

“It’s usually—how’d you—” He chuckled and twisted his bangs with a flourish. “Are you here already?”

I licked my lips. “Maybe.”

“Didn’t want to say hi?” He strolled through the crowd.

“I wouldn’t call if I wanted to avoid you. Also, your hair is sticking up, sweetie.”

He smirked and smoothed his bangs. “So, you did want to see me.”

I rolled my eyes, my heart thumping hard. “You and a movie.”

“I’d like to see you,” he purred. “You in a movie, if you’d be kind enough to send one to me.”

Oh my god. Was he asking for sexy content or a cute video-call kinda greeting?

I rubbed my legs together and pulled at my messy hair. “I’m not sure I’m fit for company, let alone a camera, unless you’re into the whole thoroughly ravaged look.”

“I am when I’m the one who did the ravaging.” His gaze slid to the second story.

I darted back from the railing.

Fuck. This was quickly, and publicly, getting into R-rated territory.

Did he really want to see me or was this more about getting off?

I fished my cross out from under my shirt, my fingers grazing the burning reminder of our lust on my collar. “I’m supposed to go to sleep.”

“I can tuck you in,” he said.

I chuckled and crept toward the balcony railing. “You’ve almost convinced me.”

Why was it so easy for him? With him, I meant.

His voice rubbed my insides like warm velvet. “I want to give you something before you go in.”

“Is it soft and small or—”

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