If I hadn't been watching.
The thought made something warm and possessive settle in my chest. It seared itself into my brain and branded me like I was her cattle.
Mine.
She was mine.
She just didn't know it yet.
Chapter 6
Lena
Itwisted the key in the ignition and then…
Nothing.
So, I tried again and was only met with a clicking sound somewhere in the engine. This car was barely even two years old, and I shouldn’t have been having any kind of trouble with it.
With a deep breath, I tried to start it one more time, and still nothing.
"Come on," I muttered, slapping the steering wheel. "Don't do this to me. Not tonight."
I glanced up from the steering wheel and took notice of the parking lot, that had become mostly empty at this point. There were just a few stray guests from the event but there was no one familiar.
I'd stayed later than I should have, schmoozing with potential clients, pretending I gave a damn about their vacation homes that needed "a pop of color."
Now I was paying for it. I pulled out my phone, checked the time. Ten forty-seven. Too late to call a mechanic. Too late to bother any coworkers…
My boss!
Randy might have still been inside and could give me a ride. Saying a quick prayer that he was still there, I grabbed my purse and headed back toward the gallery.
My black boots clicked against the pavement and it made me think even a small city sounded strangely quiet tonight. It was as if Roanoke was holding its breath waiting for something to happen. I glanced over my shoulder. Nothing. Just shadows and parked cars and the dim glow of streetlights.
Still, my skin prickled. That feeling again. The one I'd been having for weeks now. Like I was being observed. Studied. I walked faster.
The gallery was nearly empty when I pushed through the doors. A few people lingered near the back. I searched the faces, hoping, but Randy wasn't among them. "Excuse me," I said to the woman working the coat check. "Have you seen Randy? Tall guy, blue blazer?"
She shook her head. "He left about twenty minutes ago."
Of course he did.
"Thanks," I said, already turning back toward the door. I stood there on the sidewalk, staring at my phone, trying to decide if I should just sit in my car and wait for a rideshare or go back inside and nurse another glass of wine I didn't want. The wait time was forty-five minutes.
Fuck.
"Car trouble?" I spun around and found Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome.
Killian.
He was standing a few feet away with his hands in his pockets, and that same unreadable expression on his face.
My heart kicked up.
"Jesus," I breathed. "You scared me."
"Sorry."
