Page 24 of One Last Wish

“Can’t Darce?” he complained.

“He’s already upstairs.” I motioned to the lights going on one at a time underneath the skylight. Theo was such a sulky child on occasions.

“Did you want me to check for any online orders?” Darce asked once he was back downstairs.

“Sure,” I replied, finishing booting up all the tills.

“I was thinking. Did you need another pair of hands for this midnight release party?”

“Are you offering your services?” I gasped, putting my hand on my chest dramatically.

“The money comes in useful. If you sell all those tickets, you’ll need more hands anyway.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

“What would be great?” Theo asked, darting his eyes between Darce and me as he appeared out of nowhere.

“I’m working the midnight release, too.” Darce beamed, running his hands through his hair. “I thought you and Alora could do with some help.”

“O...Oh, yeah. Great.” Theo’s face looked wounded.

“I’m not trying to steal your girl, Theo. Relax. I need the extra money. The rent in this city is insane.”Theo’s girl?I gave Darce a deadly stare. It only made him smirk more.

“A...Alora and I are just friends. I don’t know what gave you that impression.” Theo blushed. “I’ll get started on checking the new orders.”

“Youjerk!” I seethed once Theo had gone, pushing Darce playfully.Fuck, no touching!I forgot. “Shit! Sorry, I didn’t mean to cross your boundaries.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t make contact with my skin.”Oh!

“So, I can touch you wherever there is material?” Why did my stomach flutter at that thought?

“No, but it’s more dangerous if you touch my skin.”

“Dangerous? Jeez, what infectious, deadly disease do you have?”

“One that can kill any girl calledAlora,” he joked, giving me a side eye. “Theo is pretty smitten with you, isn’t he?”

“You’ve only just noticed? He’s a lovesick fool. I’d feel sorry for him if I hadn’t made it obvious from dayonethat I’m not interested.”

“Have you ever gone on a date with him?”

“God, no!”

“With how hard he’s trying, I think you owe him a date. Have youevereven been on a date with a guy?” I couldn’t tell him the truth...that I hadn’t. I had only ever fucked guys.

“Of course, I have. I’ve just never been on dates with guys like him.” Darce squinted his eyes, urging me to continue. “T...the guys...they’ve always been more like...you.”

“Oh, really? What do you mean by guys likeme?” He was crossing his arms now, looking more amused than I liked.

“Tall, dark, kind of hot...you know, maybe a bit of a bad boy.”

“Badboy?” Was he trying to tell me he wasn’t?Bullshit.I shrugged, watching a customer come to the desk. I could feel his eyes on me as I served her. Had I really offended him? “You’re wrong about me,” he murmured once the customer left.

“I don’t think I am.”

Darce leaned toward me, his breath tickling my neck. “There is nothingboyishabout me, Alora.” I might have come undone at his words if we’d been alone. “I’m different,yes,but don’tevercompare me to those badboys.”

“Touched a nerve, did I?” I challenged, moving my head. Our lips were inches apart. Darce moved a little closer, his breathing became heavier as he gazed down at my lips. “You can try and deny it all you want, but I can tell you want me.”

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