“Jade,” I call after her. She’s several feet in front of me, walking surprisingly fast for someone balancing on shoes with five inch toothpicks. “Jade,” I say again.
Her only response is throwing up the middle finger right before she turns downthe hallway.Surely, she doesn’t realise what’s down that tunnel, or she wouldn’t have gone this way.
Like an obsessed puppy, I follow her.
“I don’t think you want to go down here.” I shove my hands in my pockets as I close in on her. There’s only so far she can get down this hallway before she has to double back to exit.
She whips around, losing her balance in those deathtrap heels. I brace my hand on her waist helping to stabilize her, but she swats my hand away. “Why do youseem to think you’re the authority on what I want, Stone?”
She’s using my last name because she thinks it offers some sort of separation—all it does is make me hard.
My gaze darts down to her vicious lips; the words flying out of them are meant to cut me down to size, but something about being around her makes me feel ten feet tall.
“Stop staring at me like that,” she bites, jaw clenched.
“But you’re so lovely when you’re yelling at me.” The smirk curling the corner of my mouth makes her eye twitch.
“You’re insufferable.” Frustration is etched on her face. Because of me, or because of what she feels for me, I can’t be sure.
“Yeah, well, so are you,” I volley. “But you’re also gorgeous. It’s very conflicting for me.” My shoulders lift and drop in a shrug.
Her eyes roll so hard, they’re almost all white before she turns, going deeper down the dark hall lined with brocade wallpaper.
“Jade.” She continues to ignore me. “Come on, the rain’s probably stopped. I’ll walk you home.”
“Or, you can walk straight into the Thames,” she volleys, never turning to look at me. “You can go. I’ll get myself home when I’m ready.”
“Like hell I’m leaving you here alone.”
“I can handle myself. I’ve been doing it my whole life. I’m actually really good at it.”
I sigh. “Fuck. I know that. I know you can. You’re the most formidable person I’ve ever met, Jade. But I’m still not leaving you here or letting you walk home alone.”
“I’m not giving you a choice, Tieran.” Abruptly, she turns to an unmarked door, trying the handle. It opens under her touch; she tries to slip in and shut the door on me, but I wedge my foot in before it closes, following her into the dark.
The room is small—dark.It has low ceilings, walls lined with black curtains, low lit sconces, and one wall with a wide window looking into an empty room.
Tieran steps up behind me, gently grabbing my elbow. So gentle, and yet, it feels like a brand on my skin, searing in a way that makes me want to scream.
Stop touching me. Stop being so kind. Stop being so goddamn understanding. Stop being so perfect. Stop making me want to jump into your arms and never let go. Ican’thave you, I can’twantyou, and it’skillingme. Stop. Stop. Stop.
I’ve been acting out, pushing him away with biting words and a piss poor attitude, and he just won't go—from here, from my heart.
“Jade.” His voice is loud in the empty room.
I shake my head but don’t turn. “You need to leave.” It’s a miracle my voice comes out as steady as it does.
“Turn around, look me in my eyes, and tell me that’s what you really want. Because I don’t think it is, Jade. You may be able to bluff a boardroom, but you can’t fool me.”
“You don’t know me!” I throw up my hands in exasperation.
He tucks his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “I’d bet I know more about you than most people.”
“Oh? Try me then.” My arms cross over my chest, andhis gaze darts down and lingers, heating me from head to toe.
“You’re fiercely loyal, even though no one in your life has deserved that of you.” I start to say something, but he cuts me off. “I’m speaking right now, love. You can yell at me when I’m done.” Well…ok then. “Your dad is your best friend because he’s the only person you’ve ever felt safe with, and for good reason, Archie is the best and bizarrely good at online games.” I can feel myself soften at the fondness in his voice when he talks about my dad.Steel your resolve, Jade. “You’re brilliant and successful, but it’s come at a price for you, one you shouldn’t have to pay. Your favorite color is blue, though you never wear it—except on your toes, apparently. You hate bad martinis, but you’ll take a bad one over a good beer. Despite your rigid routine, you have a sweet tooth that would surprise most. You have everything you could ever want, an exciting life, lots of opportunities, status—but deep down, I think you want something else, something softer.” He takes a step closer toward me, forcing me to retreat.
The smile that lights up his face can only be described as feral. “How did I do?”
