Page 6 of Hunting for Acceptance

“Yeah,” I say, giving Martin an encouraging smile. “Go over there and ask for his number. Pretend you changed your mind or something.”

Martin shakes his head, his eyes wide. “Hell no. I’m not good at shit like this.Yougo talk to him, you’re good with people.”

“I’m not the one he was flirting with earlier. If I go ask him it’ll be super suspicious.”

“This is a shit plan, Cooper.”

We get so consumed in our conversation that we lose track of what we’re supposed to be focusing on;Dorian. I look over, my stomach sinking when I realize the short bossman has gone inside and Dorian is nowhere to be seen.

“Shit,” I hiss out, ready to stand up. I look over at Martin, finding his gaze just above my head. I wince. “He’s right behind me, isn’t he?” Martin nods.

I slowly turn around, throwing on my best smile. Behind me stands one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. He tucks his long blue hair behind his shoulder, smiling down at me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I would love for you to buy me a coffee so we can sit down and have a proper chat, huh?”

I open my mouth and it quickly shuts, dumbstruck with shock. Thankfully, Martin takes over. He stands up with a sigh. “Iced or hot?”

CHAPTER THREE

DORIAN

“Alright, darling,”I murmur, running my fingers through this woman’s hair. I feel bad for forgetting her name. My heart is up in my throat. Even after four months of doing this, it still feels like swallowing acid. Good, I deserve to hurt for this. “Just lay down. You’re about to have the best sleep of your life.”

Thankfully, she doesn’t fight it. I let the dream wash over her as I carefully lay her down on the bed. The tiniest smile plays at her lips as her eyes flutter behind her lids. At least she’s happy.

I do my best to let that soothe my soul though I know I don’t deserve it, not really.

After locking the door behind me, I make my way back down to the lobby. My shoulders are still with tension as I see a familiar figure. I hate that I’m doing this. I hate that he has this fucking power over me. Fuck Stewart. I can’t wait for the day that he has no hold over me and I can be rid of him forever.

I step outside, wishing the cool air would cover up Stewart’s scent. My nose twitches, my body finding his scent revolting. Gods, I hate him. I hate him with every fiber of my being.

“Stewart,” I greet with a nod. I hate him but I have to play nice.

“Dorian. It’s a pleasure as always.” I just barely keep my lips from curling in a sneer. If only myenticementworked on him. There are other supernatural creatures who are immune to each other’s abilities. Though humans? So far I’ve only met a single human who wasn’t affected by myenticement.

“Yup,” I grit out, trying to stay professional. “You’ll find your next meal waiting for you upstairs. As always I expect her to be unharmed by the time I wake her up on Sunday.” Stewart feeds on dreams which means all of the people I put to sleep have no reason to have a single hair out of place by the time he’s done feeding.

“Business as usual, I assure you,” Stewart says, “just a while longer of this. I can feel my strength coming back. Maybe another month tops and then you’ll be on your way with your sister in tow.”

“Perfect. Are we done here?”

“Ah, yes, of course. Have a good weekend, Dorian.”

“Mhmm,” I murmur, turning away. The sooner I’m away from this deplorable man the fucking better. I tug my long hair over my shoulder, running my fingers through it. It’s soft against my fingertips, soothing me ever so slightly.

I’m not even sure where I want to go. I’m about to wander aimlessly through this tiny town until my body goes slack as a new scent hits my nose. Instead of my body violently wanting to getawaylike with Stewart’s scent, this smell draws me in. It tempts me closer.

It’s the man from the bar. And he’s with someone else. Interesting. Maybe the man in glasses I spotted earlier?

My interest is piqued. Not only did my enticement fail on tall, broad, and mysterious, but his scent calls to me in a way I’ve never experienced before. It’s dark and nutty, something close to dark chocolate if I had to put a name to it. It’s amazing.

My steps are near silent as I make my way over to the little cafe they’ve sat themselves at, no doubt following me from the bar. Alarm bells are ringing in my head, telling me they’re dangerous, but I ignore it. The worst thing that could possibly happen to me has already happened, so what’s the harm in playing with a little bit of fire?

As I get closer, the breeze runs in my favor, letting me scent them both. My knees just barely keep from locking. There’s another scent now, mixed with the dark chocolate. It’s electrifying, like sparks flying through the air. I’m once against coming up short with a proper name for it, only that it’s all addicting. It’s only made better by the fact that the two scents are mixing together in the breeze, making something entirely different and delicious. Like dark chocolate mixed with something spicy.

“I should have asked for his number.” Oh, really? I wait in the shadows, listening into thisinterestingconversation the two of them are having. My bruised ego is soothed ever so slightly by tall, broad, and mysterious being just as put off by his companion than he was with me. Maybe that’s just his style.

“Why don’t you go ask for it right now?”

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