"Are you going to tell me the truth about why you were at my house yet?" I asked again, hoping for the truth, but he grinned, and I knew I wouldn't get it.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that, Fallon, but no, I can't tell you and that's all I'm saying."
I let out a frustrated sigh, realizing I wouldn't get any valuable information out of him. But despite the frustration, I couldn't help but feel a prick of curiosity. Who was this man, and what was he doing at my house? I decided to change my approach.
"Alright, then," I said, narrowing my eyes. "If you won't tell me, I guess I'll just have to figure it out myself."
He chuckled, a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "I'd like to see you try, Fallon," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Challenge accepted. I wasn't one to back down, especially when it involved unraveling a mystery.
The weight of the whiskey glass in my hand felt heavy, but I barely registered it as I stared into War’s eyes, trying todecipher his game. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows that played across his face, making his already intimidating features even more striking. The air crackled with a charged energy, a silent battle of wills.
"So, what's your plan, War?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, hoping my voice didn't crack. "What are you after?"
He leaned back against the worn leather couch, the leather creaking slightly as he shifted. He crossed his arms over his chest, showcasing the tattoos that continued down his arms and into the sleeves of his shirt. He was obviously trying to intimidate me and throw me off balance.
"Patience, Fallon," he said, his voice a low, smooth purr. "All in good time. Right now, I'm enjoying your company." He reached for his glass, taking a slow sip, his eyes never leaving mine.
"You're enjoying my company?" I scoffed, but a part of me felt a thrill at his words. "That's it? You've been stalking me, and now you want to enjoy my company?"
He simply shrugged, a devilish smirk playing on his lips. "Perhaps. Or maybe I'm here for something else. Something…more."
The words hung between us, heavy with unspoken meaning. My pulse quickened, and I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach. "And what exactly does 'more' entail, War?"
He set his glass down on the table, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. He slowly rose to his feet, the movement deliberate and graceful, like a predator stalking its prey. His eyes never left mine as he closed the distance between us, each step deliberate and calculated.
"That," he said, his voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur, "is something you'll have to find out."
He stopped directly in front of me, so close that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. I leaned back slightly, my heartpounding in my chest. He towered over me, a force of nature. His dark eyes held a mixture of danger and something else…
"Don't you think you're rushing things, War?" I managed, trying to sound as though I wasn't intimidated. I really needed to get a grip of myself.
He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "I don't think so, Fallon. I believe we've been dancing around this for long enough."
He reached out, his hand gently cupping my cheek. The moment his skin touched mine, a shock of electricity surged through me. My breath hitched. I wanted to pull away, to regain control, but I was frozen in place, captivated by his gaze. His thumb traced a path along my jawline, and I found myself leaning into his touch, utterly unable to resist. My hand went to my chest, and I took a deep breath.
"What do you want, War?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
The question hung in the air between us, suffocating in its own way. I felt like I was in a dream, one I couldn't wake from. He leaned in closer, his breath fanning across my lips.
"What I want, Fallon," he murmured, his voice husky with anticipation, "is to know everything about you. And I have a feeling, you want the same."
The world seemed to fade away. The fire, the shadows, the questions… all of it. It was just him, and me, locked in a silent dance of dangerous attraction. It felt like time stood still. My mind was now filled with the possibility of the unknown, the thrill of the chase, and the looming threat of what was to come.
I knew I was walking on a tightrope, teetering on the edge of the abyss, but I couldn't resist the pull. As I looked up into his eyes, they conveyed the same intense desire that I was feeling.
What could possibly go wrong?
six
a killer mystery
War
There was something about her that felt familiar, a ghost of recognition that teased at the edge of my memory. I watched her across the space between us, trying to place her, but the image remained just out of reach. It's like I'd seen her before, but the where and when eluded me. Sipping my drink, I watched as she surveyed her surroundings, her gaze absorbing every detail.
"So, do you have a boyfriend or husband?" I asked, noting the absence of a ring on her finger.
