Page 32 of Daughters of Chaos

I nod, letting him walk me outside. Before the door closes behind us, I look back and see Raven gnawing on her bottom lip, looking worried. Then, I see Reaper lingering inside. His eyes seem to scan the room as if looking for a threat.

The giddy anticipation I felt earlier gives way to something darker, something sinister.

Raptor follows close behind me the whole way home, and I try to push aside the feeling of impending doom that's settling in my stomach. But seeing how worried Raven was when I left, I can't help but think something bad is going to happen. I just don't know what.

When we get inside, Raptor locks the door behind him. He has a playful look on his face, but I can tell it's a mask. He's worried about something. Whatever my dad told him before we left has him on edge.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

I level him with a look. One that I hope conveys how serious I am. "Why is everyone so on edge after the meeting? What did my dad tell you before we left?"

He sighs, coming closer. "It's nothing, babe. Don't worry about it." His hands brush down my arms as he tries to pull me in for a hug.

I put a hand in front of me, stopping him short. "Raptor, please tell me."

He sighs again, pulling his lip between his teeth as he debates for a moment. I hold my ground, watching him expectantly. Finally, he relents with a huff, "We got some bad news about a business competitor, that's all. It's got Viper and the others all worked up."

I sense he isn't telling me everything, and when I say as much, he tells me it's nothing I should worry about. He's keeping me in the dark about something. They all are; it's so frustrating.

I try to look tough, channeling my inner Raven as I put my arms over my chest and glare at him. Raptor looks me over and smiles. "What're you doing?"

"I'm putting my foot down. I want answers, and you're going to give them to me," I say firmly.

He smirks as he comes closer, making me shift nervously when he towers over me. "You know, you're awful cute when you do that."

"Do what?" I huff.

His hands slowly slide around my waist as he leans in. "When you put on a stern face and try to look all tough."

"Iamtough," I grind out, trying to hold my ground as his fingers find my bare skin.

He smiles wider. "I know you are," he tells me, pulling me closer.

He's only a breath away, and I can't help but shudder. My memory starts to fog as his mouth comes closer to mine. I can't remember what I was doing. All my senses are going wild with his proximity. He knows it, too. "Now, what was it you wanted me to tell you?" His lips move against mine as he asks the question.

I swallow hard. "Uh—um—I—" The words won't leave my brain. I can't breathe, can't think.

"What is it beautiful?"

I look into his eyes, only able to think how badly I want to kiss him.

So, I do.

When my lips crash into him, he wraps me up, deepening the kiss. Our tongues clash as we blindly make our way toward the couch. My calves hit the front of the cushions seconds before we topple over. Raptor sprawls on top of me, his lips still sending me into a tailspin.

It's the best kiss of my life as we become a mess of lips, tongues, and teeth for what seems like a lifetime. Neither of us is willing to part now that we've crossed that line. I can't get enough of him, and he can't get enough of me. I've got it bad for this guy, and all I want is more.

When we finally break apart, he smiles down at me before shifting our bodies so our positions are reversed. I lay my chin on his chest, studying the colors in his eyes. Blues, grays, greens, so wildly beautiful, I can't look away. I don't know how long we lay there in silence before he breaks it, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Why do you look sad, Phoenix?"

I take a deep breath before confessing, "I like you, Raptor. A lot."

He smiles sweetly at me. "I like you too."

I bite my lip before adding, "I need you to promise me something."

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