Page 46 of The Dark Obsession

The corner of my mouth lifts at seeing Tyson chopping wood through the kitchen widow. Yet again.

The man isn’t as unaffected as he’d like me to believe.

Chapter Ten

Malory

The rest of the day is tense to say the least.

Tyson seems distant, keeping himself busy in the garage while I do the same with my little projects around the cabin.

Once my ivy cuttings got his thorough approval earlier, I’ve begun to weave a hanging potholder out of some leftover cord I found in the kitchen junk drawer.

I loved the hanging plants in my old room, but I doubt Tyson is going let me drill into the ceiling once I find a plant to put in it.

Nonetheless, it’s something to keep my hands busy as my thoughts keep drifting to the man who started this whole mess. To how his strong arms felt wrapped around my body, how worshipped and utterly ravaged I felt in his embrace.

With a groan, I bury my head in the nearest throw pillow.

Out of sight, out of mindhas never been more inaccurate.

Nero’s head perks up at sensing my distress and I scratch him behind his pointy ear, a spot I’ve learned makes him almost purr.

“What’s gotten into me?” I whisper as he lays his head into my lap, oblivious of me questioning my own sanity.

Lately, he’s been especially clingy, possibly because I keep sneaking him little treats. I love all the extra doggy cuddles even if Tyson has been grumbling about it.

I may be using the dog as a buffer between us since it’s been proven time and time again that being alone with the guy tends to get too intense too fast.

The front door opens as the man in question covered in sawdust rushes past me with a quick kiss to the crown of my head that makes my heart miss a beat. And a scowl towards Nero before he’s up the stair to take a quick shower before dinner.

For a change, he has put on a t-shirt that molds against his muscles like a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.

I wonder why he even bothered.

Never mind, I shouldn’t be ogling him in the first place.

Scrambling to my feet, I make my way to the kitchen to get a head start on the cooking, anxiously waiting for him to join me.

Just as I start peeling the vegetables, a heavy hand wraps around my waist, pulling me to the side as Tyson plucks the sharp tool out of my hand, taking over.

For a second, I stare at him dumfounded. I guess we’re back to our regular routine of silent coexistence.

With a shake of my head, I grab the wooden chopping board and we start working side by side without another word.

Right until his arm accidentally bushes against mine, the simple touch sending an electric jolt trough me.

“Ow!” I yelp suddenly, looking down at the drop of blood that’s gathered at the top of my finger.

In a heartbeat, Tyson is in front of me, cradling my hand in his open palm to inspect the wound.

“It’s nothing.” I try pulling away but he doesn’t budge.

“Hold still.” My eyes widen as he brings my bleeding finger to his mouth and sucks.

With an unsteady heartbeat, I watch him slowly lick the smeared blood from his lower lip, tasting my life’s essence.

Before I have a chance to blink, he has me hoisted up by the back of my thighs, making me wrap my legs around his toned waist while holding my hand cocooned safely against his chest as he carries me towards the bathroom.

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