Page 92 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
Theo’s dark eyes raked over me, peeling me apart without any effort. “Yeah, she’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?”
My nerves rattled, but somehow, I managed a shrug. “The register is the easy part.”
“And here I was thinking my duties were the easy part. I guess that just means we’re a really great team.”
“Yeah. I guess we are.”
“I will not be letting this one go.” She gave me a gentle shake. “I’m keeping her forever.”
I tried to bite back the panic that wanted to rise to the surface.
Raven’s voice broke over the din. “Everyone gather around. It’s time for a toast!”
Emery pulled away. “I better get back over there. I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you’re here.” She gave me a quick squeeze before she turned to Theo with a grin and swatted his stomach. “And you, too.”
His smile turned easy. “Like I’d be anywhere else. Happy for you, Emery.”
Thick emotion rolled from her. “Thank you, Theo.”
“Emery, get that cute butt over here,” Raven shouted.
Emery giggled as she turned, “I’m coming!”
I followed, slowly moving toward the group that had gathered around Kane, Emery, and Raven.
Kane waved a bottle of champagne in the air before he popped the cap.
Fizz bubbled out the top to a round of cheers before he began to pour it into a bunch of flutes set up on the drink table.
Theo slipped back up to my side. A shiver rolled through me when he leaned in and put his mouth to my ear. “That mean you’re staying?”
“For a little while.” I whispered it out ahead of me.
I could feel the heat of his gaze searing into the side of my face.
I’d never been so sure than right then that this man could see right through me.
That he could wreck me.
Ruin me.
I had the foolish thought of wondering if I was the same for him.
Because I could feel a thousand emotions toil through the middle of him.
Greed and reticence and steely possession.
That dark danger emanated from his spirit like some kind of warning, all while there was an undercurrent that pulled me in.
As if I could reach out and touch the pain and fear that surrounded him.
My chest squeezed, and I muttered, “It doesn’t change anything. You and I are still not going to happen.”
My staying actually solidified it.
I couldn’t get close to him.
Because I knew what happened when I did. I couldn’t risk the pain. Couldn’t risk bringing him into the mess that was my life.
