Page 47 of Hunted By Valentine

While the two of them talk about the building’s foundation, support beams, and other things I don’t care about, I notice Valentine correcting the cuff on his jacket, pulling it down.

Oh! That reminds me of the tattoo I saw. Until now, I’d forgotten all about it, too high on my actions to remember much else. I try to get a good look at Valentine’s wrist. It’s no use, though. It’s fully covered.

I’m sure my eyes were just playing tricks on me. There’s no way I saw what I think I saw… right? I mean, Nick would know, and he would have warned me, wouldn’t he? As I ponder that, Jack’s warnings about Valentine come to mind. But they were just general warnings, not like… I mean, they weren’t specifically about the person that tattoo is associated with… were they?

Before I realize what I’m doing, I pull my phone out of my clutch and text Nick.

Me: This might sound weird, but didn’t you once mention that the Hunter has a tattoo?

The reply from my brother comes immediately.

Nick: Yes. A snake wrapped around a bow. Why?

Nick: Have you seen it?

Nick: Ruby, if you’ve seen it I need to know.

Nick: [image]

While gnawing at my bottom lip, I open the picture he just sent me. Although I already know what I saw, it’s still a surprise to have it confirmed in black and white. The image is exactly what Valentine’s tattoo looks like.

Well, shit.

With shaky hands, I type a quick reply to my brother.

Me: That’s not what I saw. I didn’t think it would be a match when I saw it spray painted on a building. But with February so close, I figured it was better to be sure.

I’m glad for the interruption when Carolina calls out to me. “Keep up, Ruby.”

After catching up to them, we continue through the vast, empty building, our footsteps reverberate, making it sound like we’re stomping around rather than leisurely strolling around. After rounding a corner, Valentine discreetly slows his pace, matching it to mine rather than Carolina’s so we’re both trailing behind her.

Suddenly, her phone blares, shattering the silence. Carolina’s eyes widen as she glances at the screen. “It’s Nick,” she murmurs, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension. “I have to take this.” She dashes off, leaving Valentine and me alone in the dimly lit space.

Valentine’s gaze lingers on me, his dark eyes filled with a hypnotic intensity. I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. The dynamic between us shifts, the air thick with unspoken tension.

His hand brushes against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. My breath hitches as he intertwines his fingers with mine, the warmth of his touch both comforting and unnerving.

“Come,” he says, his voice low and commanding. “There’s something I want to show you.”

He leads me through the maze of hallways, the darkness enveloping us like a cloak. My pulse races as I follow him, my senses heightened, every nerve ending on edge. The anticipation is almost unbearable, my body aching for more of his touch.

We come to a stop in front of a black door where the paint is peeling off. He pushes it open and tugs on my hand until I follow him inside. His lips curl into a sinister smile as the door slams shut behind us, and he leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. “I want your underwear.”

My cheeks flush with shame and desire, the conflicting emotions warring within me. “What?” I gasp.

“You heard me, Mrs. Simmons,” he clips, using his teacher voice. “Give me your panties.”

“I…” Trailing off, I stop myself from voicing my immediate reaction, which is to say no. “What do I get in return?” I ask, arching an eyebrow.

To my surprise, Valentine chuckles. “What do you want?”

Shaking my head, I let out an annoyed huff. “I’ve already told you what I want. You.”

His eyes darken as he takes a step closer. “And what exactly do you want from me, Mrs. Simmons?”

I shrug one shoulder. “For starters, I want you to call me by my first name when we’re not in class.”

Without waiting for his reply, I reach under my knee-long skirt, discreetly slipping off my lacy black panties, the fabric damp with my arousal. I watch as Valentine takes them from my trembling hands, his gaze never leaving mine. He brings the underwear to his nose, inhaling deeply as a wicked grin spreads across his face.

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