Page 78 of Unraveling Charlotte

Desmond chuckles, a warm, genuine sound that resonates through the room, lightening the tension. “Milo, I’d like to give you a lesson. Don’t ask. Demand.”

Milo’s mind runs like that of an AI, constantly learning. He leans forward, his small face scrunching in concentration. “Tell me what your intentions are with my sister.”

Desmond’s eyes crinkle with amusement. “There you are,” he praises Milo. “I intend to date your sister.”

“Obviously,” Milo deadpans, his small voice filled with wisdom beyond his years.

“Do you want to know if I want more?”

Milo’s eyes, so much like mine, search Desmond’s face. “My sister doesn’t date, Mr. Black. If she is choosing to now, it means she must like you,” he says without an ounce of fear. “Don’t hurt my sister,” he adds with vulnerability.

It’s time to end this.

I go to step out, but Tatum holds me back, jerking her head at the two of them.

“I would never willingly cause pain to your sister. You can count on that,” Desmond assures Milo. His words take my breath away.

“What is your word worth?” Milo questions.

Where the hell did he learn that?I eye Tatum speculatively.

“Real Housewives,” she whispers.

No more television for them.

“All right.” I clap my hands and walk out into the living room.

“I apologize for her appearance,” Milo mutters, catching me off guard. “Like I said, she doesn’t date.”

Desmond glances up at me from his crouched position on the floor with Milo. His eyes fill with heat that funnels straight to my core. “You look beautiful.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I bite my lip to control the stupid grin on my face.

“You are both hopeless.” Milo walks away only to hop onto the couch and cuddle beside a giggling Tatum.

Desmond’s deep, smoldering gaze pierces through me like a flame, setting my body on fire. His lips part in a sly smirk as he asks, “Shall we?” He looks astonishing, standing there freshly showered after an afternoon of work, dressed in tailored pants and a wool coat. Is that bulge a gun? My hungry eyes roam every sumptuous inch of him, stoking my desire to undress him. I clench my fists to keep myself from reaching out to him.

“We shall.” I wear my comfy boots because he said we’d be walking around town and my knit hat and coat. “Is there anything I need?” I tug my purse over my head and let it drop to my waist.

“You” —Desmond leans down to whisper against my cheek— “are breathtaking.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.” I poke his chest.

“No, kitten, I only need you.” He opens the door, leading me out into the cool night.

The cruiser sits across the street. The two cops in the front nod once as we step onto the sidewalk. Silence rises between us, but it isn’t uncomfortable. It feels natural, like two people who have known each other for a long time.

“So…” I draw the word out and stuff my hands into my pocket. “What’s the plan?”

Desmond glances down at me, his gray hat low on his forehead. “I want to show you Lenora.Allof Lenora.” There’s an undercurrent to his words, as though he wants to reveal his secrets to me.

“You know, I’ve lived here for a couple of years.” I spin in a circle under the streetlight. “I have seen everything Lenora has to offer.”

Desmond snatches me by the waist, tugging me close. My heart flutters in my chest as my palms land on his chest. “You have seen Lenora, but do you know her?”

“No.” My eyes dart to his lips, then to his dark eyes staring down at me like embers.

“Come on.” He slips his hand into mine, leading me down my street to Main Street. Once there, he looks both ways to cross, then he leads me to the divider where he stops. “This is the heart of Lenora.”

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