Page 16 of Quinlan

“Can’t say I’ve tried one. I’m not big on sweets. Unless…” His thumb scorches my tongue as he dips it into my mouth. He doesn’t have to say unless what. Unless it’s me. “Why do you ask?”

“There’s a place.” I’m breathless as he wets my lips with my own saliva. “A really great, awesome place.” I sigh, to my shame, and the man’s eyes turn to hot coals. “Where they serve them. We could go, once my schedule frees up.”

“We could?” he coaxes, his thumb running along my lips rendering me stupid. Totally, completely stupid. “You’d go with a stalking creep?”

“My half-brother is the manager there. If you misbehave, he can—”

The stranger’s face changes into something unrecognizable. Neither amused nor intense.

Furious.

His molars gnash so hard I can hear it. Nostrils flare.

He’s mad. Real mad. His anger is red paint—it’sblood—and it’s everywhere. I can practically taste metal on my tongue. Feel the air vibrating around us.

“Hey, are you okay?” I reach up to stroke his cheek. He winces, but doesn’t pull back. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, darling. You could never.”

The man releases me into the wall. Takes one, two, three steps back.

My knees are weak. I don’t let it show. Don’t give any sign that he’s hurt me. I straighten my back and revert to the woman I was a few minutes ago.

Instead of pouting, I glower at him. “Can you at least tell me what happened?”

“No.” He tugs on the knot of his tie, readjusting it, then running a hand along his jaw. Twisting his features into a more effable expression. To smirking at me. To his mask. “Not yet. I will, though. Soon. I’ll see you around, neighbor.”

I don’t like people being cryptic. Or quiet. I hate loaded silences so bad. I’ve had enough of those for a lifetime.

“If you plan on keeping up this stalking act, don’t you think you at least owe me your name?”

A huff of a laugh escapes him. This one doesn’t sound fake. “I do.”

“Well?”

Just because he agrees with me, doesn’t mean I’ll get my answer, apparently.

Sapphire Eyes turns from me, slipping into the night.

Taking his name and a few of my heartbeats with him.

CHAPTER THREE

Damien

I’m out of Quinlan’sline of sight. Hidden in the shadows. Choosing a dark alleyway instead of going straight home.

Far, far, far away from my heart.

My cock throbs in my slacks. My chest feels tight.

Despite her mentioning her motherfucking half-brother, I’m still hard for her. I ache for her.

She’s my everything. She’s more than that. I’ve had my hands on her, finally. I claimed her.

She’s mine.

I’ve kept my distance over the past five years. Let our private investigators stalk her and deliver her photos to me. To Rome and Liam. Watched her through the camera I installed in her bathroom instead of coming near her myself.

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