Page 22 of Devious Lies

But I’ve never seen one like this. The wood is black.

It looks burned or charred. And the epoxy, well, it’s not teal or blue glitter frozen within. It’s silver and gold, and it is magnificent.

Like starlight swimming in a sea of black.

The entire thing is highly polished. It looks like magic.

I shiver again.

Even though it is dark inside his office, I can make out the silver and gold glittering swirls.

Only the glow from several monitors he has mounted to the wall on long metal arms lights the space. I’ve never seen a setup like that.

It looks like he can swing the monitors around when he wants to view them and push them out of the way when he’s done.

Anyway, the glow of the monitors is enough to make that treasure of a desk gleam and sparkle.

I move to touch it, but suddenly a bundle of white terrycloth is blocking the way.

“Here,” Luc says, handing me a towel from a closet hidden behind a panel.

I gasp.

I didn’t see or hear him move, that’s how quiet and fast he is.

“Easy, Baby Girl. I’m not gonna hurt you,” he says in a voice that’s much softer than the one he used earlier.

I nod stupidly.

I know he’s not gonna hurt me.

Wait.

Does he think I am afraid of him?

“Thanks, Luc,” I say, forcing the words out.

I have so many questions. So many things I want to say.

But first, I want him to know I am not scared of him.

“You’re bleeding,” he says suddenly, frowning as he moves to hold the towel to my neck.

I suck in a breath. He’s so close now.

So close and still so damn far.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I know I should be scared and upset over that whole mess inside, but instead, I’m shivering like a virgin inside a lothario’s bedroom.

I am a virgin. But that’s another story.

My one great flirtation ended with a dead man, his creepy brother, and me having to flee my home. So, no, I wasn’t exactly in a rush to pop my cherry.

But standing here, this close to Luc, I’m wondering if my stance about that whole thing has changed.

“Shit, I see glass in the wound.”

“Is it big?” I ask, blushing at my words.

---