Page 37 of Scandal

There’s a little sigh on the line. “Yeah, Cam. Sorry I left this morning. I just, uh, had something I needed to take care of, for myself, you know?”

“I’m worried about you.” Never heard my own voice this small before.

Xan tries for a light tone, but it sounds forced. “Don’t worry about me. I’m completely fine.”

There’s a long awkward pause. Nayla and I look at each other, then I cast my eyes down at the floor. This is embarrassing, to have to talk to Xan right in front of her. “Are you coming back to the room?”

“I got a place now, you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

Relief and betrayal flood through me. My voice cracks. “Where is it? I don’t believe you.”

“I’ve never lied to you. It’s a place, okay? Four walls, roof, and a door. I promise.”

“Why can’t I see it?” I snap back, a little bravado returning. “Tell me where you are.”

There’s a pause again and then a long sigh. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t going to back off this?”

“Why do you keep disappearing on me?” I counter. Can practically hear his eye roll through the phone.

There’s a growl of frustration. “It’s better if you let me figure things out for a while.”

“Already gave you a while. Text me the address. Right now. Please.”

Nayla’s eyes pop wide in surprise, maybe at my confidence, maybe at my ability to wear down Mister Stubborn. Hell, I’m shocked too.

“Fine,” he complains, and my cheeks lift with a smile. “Fine. See you in a few.”

***

This is a hole in the wall of a place. There is a large dark mold stain on the outside of the building, slowly taking over the corner of the roof where a gutter is broken. There is rubbish in the cracks of the sidewalk. Cigarette butts litter the ground. Everything seems wholly unsanitary.

I don’t like this one bit.

Knocking on the door to room three, I prepare a speech to the effect ofyou can’t stay here. But that all falls apart when Xan appears. He’s shaking his head at me. “You’re bossy. Did anyone ever tell you that?”

“You can’t just blow my mind and then disappear in the morning. It’s bad form.” My tone is light and teasing.

“Is that what I did last night? Blow your mind? Pretty sure I blew something else.” His breath is hot in the crook of my neck as he hugs me into his big warm frame. The whole effect is dizzying.

Since he’s holding me tight, but also trying to steer us to the bed, we’re doing this weird lumbering shuffle. He steps me so close to the edge of the mattress, it hits my legs and I fall to my back. He lands over top of me. Pinning me in place.

Those eyes, the way they look at me, like I’m his next meal... that shit is heady.

“Need me to remind you?” he purrs.

My cheeks flush, and I’m about to give a resounding hell yes, when I thick droplet of liquid hits me smack on the arm. “What was that?” I jolt up, shoving Xan away to assess.

“What?” he asks.

“Something wet just landed on my arm.” Holding the limb up, there is indeed a small wet droplet, probably water. My eyes dart overhead, and I spot a dark stain on the yellowed ceiling. “Xan.”

He follows my gaze.

“This place is—”

“A good price,” he interrupts.

“Just stay with me in the dorms.”

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