Page 34 of Sardonic Burn

“Oh, you’ve noticed?”

“How could I not notice someone burning holes in the side of my head? Didn’t expect it to be you, though.”

Her demeanor is different. Just a minute ago, she was laughing and smiling like the happiest person in the world. Now, her stare is deathly, poisonous, and unwavering. She’s looking at me with contempt, like I’m dirt beneath her shoes.

And that pisses the fuck out of me.

“Well, I had some business in this area, saw you, and decided to stick around.”

Noelle raises a brow, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “Uh-huh. You had business at eight in the evening on a Tuesday night? If it’s a contract, it’s not in the busiest street of New York, that’s for sure. So cut the shit and tell me: what do you want?”

Always so direct.

That’s when I notice the pathetic attempt to hide her pretty scar on her right cheek. It’s been a few days, and it’s still red and sore. The makeup did a minimal job of covering it, but it’s there, and I see it clearly.

I’m reminded of that night all over again, and my cock throbs in my pants.

Noelle probably isn’t aware of this—or if she is, she’ll never admit to it—but she cried. I got to see her pretty face stained with tears that I caused, and that seemed to lessen the anger.

She’s so pretty when she cries.

I don’t dare to think about the other thing I did.

For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, I touched a part of her face with my tongue, both times licking blood off her. I don’t even want to remember the sweet cherry taste mixed with the metallic flavor from her lips.

I can’t allow myself to ever be too involved with her.

Yet here I am, stalking her and keeping an eye out for her. She is capable of defending and protecting herself, so it’s not because I think she’s weak. I can’t understand why I’m doing this or how to stop it.

“I came to see what you’re up to.” I shrug. “Did I interrupt your little date?”

Noelle frowns. “You did. So scram.”

I chuckle. “Meet me tomorrow.”

“No.”

“I know you don’t have anything planned for tomorrow.”

She narrows her eyes. “I don’t. I just don’t want to see you.”

“Why not?”

“Do I need a reason? You’re not exactly someone I’d willingly be spending time with.”

“Your loss.” I sigh. “But I’ll be going to that bar just to see what it’s all about.”

Her ears perk up, and her eyes glisten in excitement. She forces the smile to fall from her face, but it was there, even if only for a moment.

“Alright.” She swallows her pride. “Send me the address and meet me there.”

“I can just pick you up.”

Noelle laughs. “And risk being seen with someone like you? No, thanks.”

“You’re being too difficult.”

“And you’re not being difficult enough.” She steps around me, walking back to the restaurant. “Careful, little De Santis. One might think you like spending time with the enemy.”

---