Page 108 of His To Erase
“You know,” I murmur, “this whole night feels a little… curated.”
Frank grins. “What can I say? I like giving you what you need.”
I laugh. “Are you sure about that? ‘Cause I’m starting to think you don’t know what the hell that is.”
Something flashes in his eyes—something that looks an awful lot like a flicker of frustration. But when he smiles again, it’s smooth as ever. “I know more than you think, Doll.”
I sit back, crossing my legs beneath the table, trying to ignore the ache in my ribs.
“You know,” he says slowly, “this could all be easier.”
I raise a brow. “Define easy.”
He shrugs casually, as he swirls his wine. “We stop doing this whole... back-and-forth dance, and you could let me take care of you. Move in with me.”
I blink. “Wait, I’m sorry. What?”
Frank smiles like it’s obvious. “It’s just a matter of time anyway.”
My stomach twists.
“I didn’t realize we were playing house,” I say. My voice is light, but I can feel the way it tightens at the end. Like my body’s rejecting the idea even before my brain finishes processing it.
“We’re not,” he says smoothly. “We’re building something real. You just haven’t caught up yet.”
I laugh, or at least I hope that sounded like a laugh. “You really think that’s how this works?”
“I know it is,” he says, and the certainty in his voice makes my blood boil. “You don’t have to believe it yet. You will.”
Something in me stills.
“I’m not some doll you can dress up and keep on a shelf, Frank.” Keeping my temper in check. “I don’t do leashes.”
He leans in, resting his hand on my thigh. “I don’t want to?—”
His phone buzzes, and he glances down but doesn’t answer it. Instead, he slips a hand into his jacket and pulls out a black velvet box and my stomach drops.
“No,” I say immediately, instinct flaring.
He smiles like I didn’t say a damn word, then opens it. It’s a necklace. A single dark emerald sits at the center of a small chain. It’s elegant, and looks expensive, but it’s also not really my style.
“A gift,” he says. “For tonight.”
I don’t move. “Because you think this is going so well?”
He doesn’t miss a beat, he takes the necklace out and closes the box with a soft, final click, setting it aside.
He’s putting his arms around me before I can protest and I feel the brush of cool metal against my skin as he fastens the clasp at the back of my neck with steady fingers.
“There,” he murmurs in my ear. “Perfect.”
He watches me for a beat longer, then he stands.
“I need to make a call,” he says. “Be right back.”
I nod, waiting until he disappears behind one of the shadowed side halls. When I’m sure I’m alone, I exhale like I’ve been holding my breath for hours.
What the hell is happening?
