“Again, I am neither of those things, but I know thatmetaphors are hard to grasp for youscientific folk.” He grinned, leaning against the shelf as he watched me.
My boots hit the floor as I climbed down from the ladder.
It was alarming how tall he was now that I saw him in broad daylight—at least six feet four. I was a little put off, since I was usually taller or of equal height to the men around me.
This must be how Phoebe felt having to crane her neck up at me all this time.
His expression did not waver as I studied him. Blood rushed to my cheeks, as I realized I may have been staring too long.
I turned on my heels, granting myself the comfort of putting the wooden counter between us.
“You almost seem disappointed. That hurts,” he said mockingly, gripping his heart dramatically, then resting his elbows atop the counter. While his demeanor might be playful, the look in his eyes was purely carnal, focused on one thing only. “I thought we had such a lovely time.”
“How are you here?” I questioned, fidgeting with drawers and their contents.
“Why would I not be, darling?”
“The venom.”
“My entire body is made of poison.” He laughed. “Or maybe I just got lucky.”
“I don’t believe in luck.”
“There are many things you don’t believe in, but probably should.” He leaned in closer. A gloved hand reached out toward the side of my head.
I slapped his hand away, and he gave me an expression that imitated some sort of pity, like he was tending to an injured lamb.
“Relax. I can smell how agitated you are from here. I just wanted to see my handiwork again.”
“I don’t know who you think you are, but I will make sure to liquify your insides the next time you lay a hand on me.” It took all my energy not to look away, every single one of my senses lighting up like gunshots in the night.
His stare was intense, something uncanny that made my body scream that I should get away, run, and hide from his view.
My threat only made his smile grow wider. “Sounds like a date.”
“What?”
“You heard me perfectly fine.” He winked, sliding me a calling card.
“I try to kill you, and you take it as flirtation?” I raised my brow, rotating the paper and glaring at the typeface.
SILAS FORBES
Astor Industrial & Petroleum
The name sounded familiar. It was most likely a name that I had heard a few times before at various events and gossip circles. I would not be surprised if I heard it from Phoebe earlier, though I admittedly was not listening.
Of course this bastard came from money. How else could he afford to be so reckless?
“Mr. Forbes.” I studied the card.
“Silas,” he corrected. “If we are going to become acquainted, I’d rather you not address me like a stranger.” He propped his head in his hand.
“What makes you think I want to see you?”
“You’re a curious creature. Iknowthat you want to. Don’t you want answers?”
I raised my brows in mock surprise. “Oh, of course! I shall host an interview in my home with tea and biscuits on the off chance that you do not kill me first! Completely reasonable.Do you take me for a fool?”
