Page 235 of Dark Love

“Do we really have to get up?” Dahlia doesn’t move her head from my shoulder.

“You were the one that had to go to work and then made plans for us to have dinner with Payne and Imogene for your first day back.” Having her wrapped in my arms again feels too perfect to ever let go. “I can tell Payne we won’t be there. Or better yet, you can call in to work.”

She sighs. “We can’t do that to Imogene. It might hurt her feelings.”

I lean down and kiss Dahlia’s forehead. “You’re too sweet.”

“You broke the rules.”

“Forehead kisses don’t count.”

“So does that mean I can kiss your forehead while we’re in bed?”

Temptress. “No.”

“You get to break all the fun rules.” She pouts.

I chuckle and give her one more peck on her forehead. “Go get ready. I’ll wrangle us some breakfast.”

“You mean vegetables.”

“Probably.”

“Good. I didn’t have a single vegetable while I was on vacation.”

That woman makes my head hurt. “Just for that. I’m making you a green smoothie too.”

She climbs out of my arms, and I want to pull her back.

Dahlia sashays to the bathroom door and stops to turn back. “Don’t forget the whipped cream on my cocoa.”

“Do I ever?”

“No. You spoil me.” She ducks into the bathroom, and I go get ready for the day in one of the guest bedrooms that has only ever had Payne sleep in it when he drank too much.

***

Why did I ever agree to this whole dinner thing? We’re double dating or whatever it is Payne and Imogene are doing now that she’s talking about moving out.

The perfect day would be a quiet one in the library. Dahlia and I have barely had any time in there since I told her I loved her.

Even worse, she has to go to work soon. I hate that I have to share her with a job.

Why can’t she stay home all day and write in her pajamas… Or I could quit work too and we could move to a deserted island.

All alone in the sun and san—

My alarm beeps a single low tone. The one I assigned to my private garage by the elevator. Someone broke into the garage.

Or it could be a rat. We’ve had two sneak in down there in the last few years. With a tap, the camera feed pulls up as well as the thermal scan.

Someone broke in alright.

There aren’t many locks that can keep Torment out.

“What do you want?” We’re friends, but not good enough friends that he can show up at my place unannounced while Dahlia is here.

“We need to talk. Now.”

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