Page 38 of The Wicked

“She’s gone.”

“Liar.”

Charming left me seriously off balance. I was leaning sideways on a tightrope, about to fall, and there was no safety net. I said I wasn’t the woman from the party, but he wasn’t the same man either. This version was darker. More commanding.

“I get the impression that sexy salsa is your default operating state.”

“I’m more of a dirty tango man.”

See? I’d gotten in way, way over my head last Saturday.

“So, uh, thanks for bringing my shoe back, uh… I don’t even know your name.”

“Garrett.”

“Thanks for bringing my shoe back, Garrett. I appreciate you taking the trouble.”

Another step. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Who’s talking now? Sara or Cinderella?”

“Both of us?”

“So many filthy lies coming out of your mouth today. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“You don’t know where I live.”

“You think I can’t find out?”

Shit.

“I don’t have anything to wear.”

“I’m not going to complain if you come naked.” My mouth formed an O of shock, which seemed to amuse him, judging by his grin. “In fact, I hope you do.”

For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, and he sort of did. On the forehead. Which wasn’t so much a smooch, more his way of sucking out all rationality.

“Seven o’clock,” he said.

“You arenotpicking me up.”

“Then meet me at the Peninsula.”

The heat in my veins turned to ice in a heartbeat. The Peninsula? Was this some kind of sinister plot? Would the monster be waiting for me again? Just as quickly, the fire in Charming’s eyes faded, replaced with…concern?

“Sara, are you okay?”

I managed to shake my head.

“You don’t want to go to the Peninsula?”

“I want to go far, far away from here.”

“Then I’ll take you.” He finally stepped back, which should have eased my fears, but it didn’t. No, the tension ratcheted up a notch when he held out a hand. “Let’s go.”

“But I…I barely know you.”

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