The nine of us ate dinner in Lana and Christian’s dining room. I’m so happy for her. I mean, shit, he bought her that fucking house and furnished it perfectly. I never thought Christian would be great at interior design, but it seems like he knows what he’s doing.
Whenever I decide to buy a house, I’ll be sure to reach out to him.
I sat in one corner beside Isa and Julian, playing patty-cake with Grace on my lap while the adults talked about holiday plans. Every so often, I caught Rowan’s eye, but then I tore my gaze away quickly.
Once the night was over, he walked me to my car and said goodnight with a brush of his lips across my temple while no one was looking. Of course everyone knows, but these moments are ours.
My thighs clench together unconsciously as I park in a free spot just down the block. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rowan followed me home again to make sure I got in safe. I’ve alwaysknown he does that—that he still does sometimes—and I can’t say that I hate it. Sometimes, I look for him in my rearview mirror.
Tonight, though, he isn’t behind me. And the disappointment of not seeing his SUV in my rearview mirror twists everything in my gut. I check again and find my neighbor’s old Toyota parked behind me. No Rowan tonight, I suppose.
With a sigh, I grab my bag and hang it on my shoulder as I hop out the car. The street lamp across the street flickers like ghosts whispering their secrets into the dark, telling truths even I can’t say.
My car beeps and the lights flash after I press the lock button on the key fob and I place one foot directly in front of the other—heel to toe—walking the few hundred feet to the front of my building. I count each step, telling myself that I don’t miss him. That I don’t wish he was here.
There’s a secret for the ghosts.
“Did you enjoy your girl talk?”
I gasp at the deep voice and nearly lose my footing. “Oh my god, Rowan,what the fuck?You don’t scare a girl like that!”
“I’m sorry.” He frowns with his sincere apology. “I’m really sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I breathe. “Just be careful next time. I could have pepper sprayed you.”
Rowan sniffs a laugh. “I’m sorry.”
I nod. “What—What’s?—”
“You’re cute,” he says. “You got all pink in the cheeks when I came inside. I love when you get all pink.”
“Are you drunk?”
Rowan shakes his head. “I’d never drink and drive. I think I’m just—I don’t know. Feeling confessional, I guess.”
“Feeling confessional…” I nod to myself.Right. “How did you get here so fast?”
“I think I lost you somewhere,” he says. “You were speeding.”
“I don’t speed.”
“You speed.”
I roll my eyes. “Not excessively.”
“Iwould have given you a speeding ticket.”
I cross my arms and cock my hip. “Okay,Dad.”
Rowan snorts just before his amusement drops from his expression, his eyes darkening to match the night sky with a glinting star that makes my core tighten. “Come here,” he rasps.
“You don’t tell me what to do,” I say as though he doesn’t have the power to turn me into putty.
“No?” He arches a dark blond brow. “I remember you doing exactly what I told you to just the other night.”
My body shudders, my stomach doing a backflip at the memory of all his filthy words.
“Come here, Natalia,” Rowan says, his voice low and husky as his eyes turn into a raging storm.
