Page 212 of Dark Love

Harper freezes. “There’s a man on the couch.”

We all burst out into giggles.

All she needs are some pearls to clutch. She’s already wearing her Sunday best. Harper’s old school and never travels in jeans or sweats to be comfortable. Traveling is an event.

“That’s Colin Knight. He’s another author that’s joined our little group.”

“A man in our midst.”

Uh oh. Is Harper not going to be okay with this? How will we handle it?

“Well, isn’t that just dandy? Now we have someone to ask when we have a question about the male point of view. My cousins have been hiding on me lately.” With a mixture of a skip and a sashay, Harper makes her way over to the couch, completing our little group. “What did I miss?”

“Colin was just telling us if he’s indie or trad published.” Savie clicks her needles together.

“Everyone calls me Knight. And I’m traditionally published.”

“Ohh,” a few of the women chorus.

“Being trad published isn’t so bad. Daria and Prue are also trad.” Dylan could have gone trad. A few of them have offered her deals over the years, but she likes control too much to sign on the dotted line.

I like traditional publishing because it allows for anonymity and a bit more of a hands-off approach to publishing. It doesn’t hurt that my publishing house actually spends money to advertise my books. Which isn’t something they do for many authors.

The doorbell rings again.

Who could that be?

Eyes roam around the room, searching just like I am to figure out who it could be. Everyone is here.

“Did anyone else invite someone?” Savie sets down her knitting.

Not a single person speaks up.

“Would you ladies allow me to answer the door?”

“Please.” I have no problem letting a man answer the door. Or anything else if it will keep the group safer.

We’re careful, but women alone can never be too safe at these things.

There’s something about the way Colin walks to the door that reminds me of Vex. It’s certainly not a physical similarity. The two men are polar opposites.

Danger.

There’s an air of danger around Colin. Like just beneath the surface, he hides a lethal power that’s ready to spring out at any time.

“I have a delivery for Ms. Fleur.” The butler’s distinctive voice is clear even though I can’t see him.

“One moment.” Colin closes the door and turns to us. “Is one of you, Ms. Fleur?”

“That’s me.” I stand up. What delivery could I possibly have? All my suitcases made it to the suite.

Colin nods and turns back to the door. “Ms. Fleur will accept the delivery.” He steps back for the butler to enter, followed by a younger man carrying a massive teddy bear.

This thing rivals the man in size and is probably larger than I am.

Nestled inside the bear’s arms is a vase full of dahlias.

Vex did this.

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