Page 97 of Dark Love

“I don’t do that very well.” There isn’t much I do well around you.

He walks over and sets my glass of milk on the nightstand, without dropping the beer or glass bowl in the same hand. Next to the milk, he sets the soft pink dahlias that are now in a vase. “Thank you.”

The irritating man just turns around and walks to the other side of the bed.

Fine, work the sexy silent thing. I’m good with that.

I try not to stare as he pours the popcorn into the bowl and settles in. Failure was inevitable.

Beer

Vex

My eyes deceive me.

My ears lie to me.

My heart yearns for what it cannot have.

But my mind… it’s going to find a way to give me what I do not deserve… the perfect creature in front of me.

The soft, sweet, and innocent woman I just placed down on a cloud of Victorian ruffles and flowers can’t be real.

Only a doll could live in a house like this.

She seems genuine, but is this all a game she’s playing?

A dream set to tempt me, then disappear into the darkness of reality.

I’d kill—I’ve already killed for her. I’d tear the world apart.

But trust…

“Do you want me to get you a drink?” She probably thinks this a generous and kind offer, but I’m neither of those things. Getting a drink for her is an opportunity to sneak around her house. I’ve controlled the urge to investigate her, but now she’s presented an opportunity I can’t ignore.

“Milk please.”

Before that sweet, bemused smile of hers makes me do something impetuous, I turn to walk away. There are several floors. I won’t have time to investigate all of them thoroughly.

“Um…”

That small, scared voice of hers makes me freeze in place.

“If you want… You know if you don’t have anything else going…. You could um…”

Even her nervous babbling draws me farther into obsession.

“You could get yourself a drink too.”

Should I do this? Can I control my urges and get to know her like a normal man? I turn to look at her. “Are you inviting me to stay?” Her wide eyes are enough of an answer. A woman like her shouldn’t want to be with a man like me.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll grab a drink then.” And search your house.

“And a bowl for the popcorn.”

“Salty it is.” She’s given me even more time.

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