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“Let’s go.”

He shoves himself to his feet and pulls his jacket from the back of his chair before shrugging it on. His attention turns to me, still in my seat, staring at him, and he hits me with a panty-melting smirk. I truly didn’t think that was a thing until right this second, and I’m not disappointed to find out I was wrong all my life.

“You coming?” He raises a cocky brow.

I nod and follow his lead without replying. I’m too overwhelmed right now, and the whiplash of emotions whirling around inside me is a recipe for disaster for someone prone to panic attacks.

Orion drops more than enough money to cover our meals, drinks, and the tip on the table, and I stare at it for long seconds. I knew this was going to be an expensive meal, but fuck, that’s close to a grand.

Before I can think too much about it, he slips an arm around my waist and guides me toward the entrance.

I’m shocked there was a place this nice walking distance from my apartment, but then again, LA is full of surprises.

Without missing a beat, Orion surveys the street for danger and turns in the direction of my building, placing himself between me and the road.

In fact, now I think about it, he’s done that every time we’ve walked anywhere together.

My brows tug together as I look up at the man everyone’s desperate to know, but few seem to. The way he checked the street, how alert he was during dinner, and the tension that never fully dropped from his shoulders paint a picture that’s very different to the one I read about on the internet, and I find myself wondering who is Orion Henderson?

Because he may be a billionaire entrepreneur now, but there’s a darkness in him that I recognize all too well.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

ORION

I’m seething all the way back to Ember’s apartment.

Not because someone decided to ruin our first date.

Not because she didn’t enjoy her meal.

Not even because Killian was his usual asshole self.

No. I’m fucking fuming because I can’t think of a way to get Ember’s phone to check those texts she got from Lucas.

I haven’t had a chance to install the necessary software to gain access to her calls and messages, which means I’m flying blind.

Something I fucking loathe in all aspects of my life, but apparently even more so when it comes to my little flame.

I doubt Ember is conscious of the way she leans into me as we walk. She’s been on her own for such a long time, even when her idiot brother was alive, that I don’t think she knows what to do with having someone in her corner the way I’m trying to be.

I don’t pause on the doorstep, instead guiding her up the few steps to the keypad and giving her little choice but to type in the code.

It’s a damn good thing she hasn’t asked how I got to her door earlier today, because telling her I’ve known that code for weeks probably won’t do me any favors.

Without hesitation, I match her steps up to her floor, and when we reach her door, I snatch the keys from her hand and make quick work of the locks.

“You know, it’s polite to wait for an invitation,” Ember barbs, and I don’t bother masking the smirk that tugs at my lips. Not once have I noticed how they affect her.

“But then I could be waiting forever.” I chuckle and gently pull her into her sparsely decorated apartment. “Now, would you like to discuss why you shut down back at the restaurant?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The mask of indifference she shows the world is back, and I fucking hate it.

I shake my head slowly as I give her a knowing look. Ember will quickly learn she may be a good liar when it comes to everyone else in the world, but not me. I see her. All of her. The good, the bad, and the broken. And all of her is mine.

“I’m sure you can get away with that with everyone else, Ember.” I step into her space, backing her up until she hits the edge of the dining table, still littered with the evidence of my gifts. Her breath catches in her throat, and I bring my hand up ever so slowly, giving her more than enough time to escape if she wants. A concession I will rarely give her. I settle my palm around the base of her throat, applying gentle pressure that has her pupils blown wide as she looks up at me. “But I see through the lies. I see through the bullshit.” I drop my face until I’m so close her breath brushes softly across my cheeks. “I see you, Ember.”

Her pulse speeds up against my fingers, but to her credit, she doesn’t look away. She holds my eyes without flinching, a feat even the toughest of men can rarely achieve.