CHAPTEREIGHT
“You didn’t run away,” Rune murmured, strolling through the foyer. A pleased grin lifted his lips, a certain swagger to his steps. “I kind of expected you to. Am I just that irresistible?”
I stopped hugging myself and placed my hands on my hips. “I know what you’re doing.”
Trying to make me feel less freaked out.
His grin widened as he stopped directly in front of me. “Is it working?”
I teetered my head back and forth. “A little.”
“Good.” He bent at the waist and brushed his succulent lips against mine, creating an instant heat inside my lower stomach. Even if my mind was scattered from all I had heard, the bitch downstairs was warming up nicely, unaffected by tonight’s events. He didn’t straighten. His golden eyes stayed in front of mine, roaming over my features. The cocky façade disappeared, and he questioned quietly, “Do you want to talk about it? Anything you want to know, I’ll tell you. If you’re ready to hear it.” His black brows lifted, his self-confidence evident. “We knew you were snooping on us, but we didn’t hold back.”
My jaw dropped on a shaky exhale.
His eyes flicked back and forth between mine. “Questions? Do you want to know?”
I snapped my mouth shut. I didn’t really want to know. I’d had all I could handle today. I shook my head in the negative.
The man-god nodded once and stood to his full height. He peered down at his hands as his fingers started undoing the buttons on his suit jacket. His voice was calm and patient, stating, “When you’re ready, let me know. I’ll explain it all.”
Instant. “Why?”
Rune shrugged out of his jacket and stepped closer to drape it around my shoulders. The scent of forests and sunshine washed over my senses, and my entire body relaxed inside the warmth of his jacket. He tipped his head to the front door, ignoring my question, “My train’s behind Alaric’s. Ready?”
“Why, Rune? Why would you tell me?” I questioned, standing my ground. “I am no one to these people.”
“Ah.” He smirked, his jovial side rushing to the surface, a sparkle in his golden eyes. “But I do love the smell of chocolate chip cookies.”
I snorted and then choked on a snicker. His charm melted my insides. “You’re not going to tell me, huh?”
“You said you weren’t ready, so no.” With a great flourish, he gestured to the front door with his right arm. “Your chariot awaits…if your tiny ass feet would start walking.”
I grinned, showing all my teeth. “I kinda like you.”
“I kinda like you too.” He winked, brushing black hair from his eyes. “But nothing serious, right? Like you said. I don’t want you falling head over heels for me.”
“Definitely.” I chuckled as I opened the front door, glancing at him over my shoulder with plenty of coyness in my gaze. “You couldn’t handle all of me, stud.”
If he only knew the truth of that. Because where I went, my father followed. Always.
His resulting smile brought me to a halt, my knees wobbling where I stood. There was no way he knew how devilishly handsome he was. Looks like his just weren’t fair to a woman like me—eye-candy for days and days. Rune placed his hand on my lower back, propelling me through the door with a softness a man like him had to train himself to exhibit, his tone sliding down to intimate levels. “You would be surprised at what I can handle. Mostly, in the bedroom, of course.”
“Of course.” I turned my heated gaze away from him. A sigh escaped my lips as I studied how far it was to the Mason Corporation train. I whined a little, “Our ride is farther away than Alaric’s train.”
Rune stepped in front of me, his back to my front. He squatted down and glanced back at me. “Hop on. I didn’t work a double shift today, like you.”
I blinked, my voice dry. “You want to give me a piggy-back ride?”
“It’s either that or I pick you up like some weeping willow.”
I shoved my arms through the armholes in his jacket and hopped onto his back in a flash. With my arms over his shoulders and my legs around his waist, I griped, “Don’t ever carry me like a babe. I hate that shit.”
“I had a feeling.” Rune gripped my thighs with his strong hands and straightened. He strolled with a smooth gait, even hopping down the stairs with a fluid nature only a skilled combatant had. His black hair tickled my cheek, blowing in the breeze. “Am I taking you to your place?”
“Mmm.” I hummed in thought. “Are you coming in with me?”
“I’d like to. I don’t do all this gallant crap for nothing.” He chuckled.
