Page 131 of Carved Obsession

“Ariana first!” she squeaks.

“Of course, love.”

She smiles as I guide her out of the cabin. Everyone follows as we head back to our cars.

The things I’ll do to this woman once I get her in my fucking house. She’ll have me imprinted on her body for eternity.

Chapter 35

Scarlet

“I stand by what I said when I wanted to crawl under the covers and die—Tabitha would look fucking fantastic in the middle of your church.” I walk through the expansive space as Carter flips various switches and bathes the converted holy ground in an ethereal light.

“Tabitha?” He cocks an eyebrow in amusement.

“I didn’t tell you she has a name, did I?”

He shakes his head as he walks into the kitchen area, and my feet follow without question. “So, you like to name things.”

“Only things I love,” I point out, popping the velvet box that holds the Levain pendant onto the counter.

“What else have you named?” he asks as he pulls out bottles and pours various things into a shaker.

“Christ, what haven’t I? I have some fossils that I love, a couple of skulls that were my first—Margaret and Daisy—and one of my favorites is Marvin.”

Carter bursts out into the purest laughter, so uncharacteristic, and it does something magical to my insides.

“Marvin?” He turns to me, pressing a hand to his stomach.

“Yup. He’s a little white mouse I keep on my dressing table. Stop laughing at him. He’s adorable.”

“Oh, I know Marvin.”

I frown, but a moment later, I remember what a stalker Carter is. “Just how much of my house did you inspect?”

“Enough to know you have a thing for bones and strange things. And I didn’t know then, but apparently, human tears too.”

“And you have a problem with that?” I cross my arms over my chest, cocking an eyebrow as he comes to me, attempting to hand me a drink.

“Not a one, kitten. It makes me want to crack my way into your mind to figure out what other surprises lie there.”

“And I’m the weird one,” I mutter as I grab the drink and follow him out.

“Your words, not mine. Now, I have to check a few things in my office. You can go ahead and snoop around or join me there.”

“Oh, don’t worry, killer-boy, I’ve done my share of snooping around your place too,” I say with a wide grin that seems to please him. “I could do with some more, but right now, I want to celebrate my fucking freedom from that asshole. I’m joining you.”

With a devastating quirk in his lips, he wraps his hand around my waist and pulls me into his body.

“You may be free of him, love, but you’re all mine,” he claims in a husky voice that ripples dangerously through me, and I can’t help but melt into his body.

He kisses me until I’m out of breath, then moves away, just as my thoughts stray in a sadder direction. Eventually, I’ll have to tell him why he might not really want me...but for now, I’m going to be an asshole and enjoy this moment.

Carter sits on his intricate chair, his office resembling something from a government facility, with all the screens and gadgets. Though, it’s quite cozy here too, with the deep armchair in the corner and the ancient brick walls.

Cameras pop onto the screen. I recognize some places, and others, I’ve seen only in my research of Carter. He doesn’t ignore me. Instead, he keeps my excitement going, discussing the cheesy idea of a divorce shower with a few friends. Just like those bridal showers some people get, only I’m gonna be celebrating my fantastic, albeit bloody, separation.

From pacing to cozying up in the armchair to more pacing, I eventually perch on his thigh. He cycles through all those cameras, accessing past footage too, seemingly satisfied with his findings. Or lack thereof, I guess.