Page 31 of Carved Obsession

The delicious scent of good food and the salty sea smacks into me as I walk out of the ladies’ room and make my way through the busy restaurant. From the corner of my eye, I catch a spot of red, and I turn to find the woman from the bathroom. She’s laughing and gesturing at the people sitting around her table.

Like the calm before a storm, all noise ceases, and all but one person blurs before me. Because there, at the same table, right across from her, sits Carter Pierce.

“I’ll be damned,” I mutter to myself, feeling the tug of a smile at my cheeks.

He’s with a few other people, and as my feet remember they have to keep moving before I start drawing attention, I catch a glimpse of them all. I recognize each of them from the research I’ve done into Carter. Maddox Severin, Finnigan Hennessey and his purple-haired girlfriend, Evelyn Shaw, and Vincent “The Serpent” Sinclair.

The ball finally drops as I realize the redhead is his wife, Morrigan, former O’Rourke, part of one of Queenscove’s elite families. Though only she and her brother stand today.

I’m only steps away from the door leading onto the terrace, but that burning ember inside my soul sends sparks of unfulfilled recklessness, and I feel compelled to oblige. I spin on my heels, stoking that ember until little flames ignite, and turn my smile into a devious grin as I walk right over to that table.

He’s not facing me, so I get the pleasure of seeing his profile, looking as if it’s carved from stone. His palms rest on his thighs as he quietly observes his friends.

But like any predator would, he senses my approach and turns, hazel eyes widening when they fall on me. My steps almost falter at his reaction, but I hold on to that reckless desire to catch the man off guard and walk until I’m only a few steps away.

“Mr. Pierce, good afternoon. What an absolute delight to run into you here.” I greet him with my most charming smile, and the whole table turns their attention to me.

His gaze narrows and flickers toward his friends for a fraction of a second before he graces me with a strained, yet polite, nod. Last time he saw me, his blade was on my throat, leaving that sliver of a cut his eyes flicker to now. This moment right here is so fucking precious, I can barely contain my elation.

“Apologies for disturbing you.” I address him, then swipe my gaze over the group, noting the surprised redhead. “I just saw you from across the room and thought it would be very rude of me not to say hello.”

There’s a brief pause when I actually doubt my actions, a slight awkwardness creeping in.

“Indeed. I hope you’re enjoying your day at the beach.” He finally speaks, all but spilling venom through that smoky tone.

I cock my head an inch, trying to ignore how he attempts discretion as his gaze roams down my body like he’s mapping every inch of it beneath the sheer beach dress. Then he slams those beautiful eyes back onto mine.

“Very much so, thank you. After all, life is short and all that.” I don’t even try to hide the sarcasm.

“For some, shorter than others.” He raises an eyebrow, mature creases forming on his forehead.

A crooked smile is all I give him in response before I turn to the others. “Here I am, talking about rudeness, and I haven’t even introduced myself.”

He shifts uncomfortably, chair scraping across the wooden floor as he clears his throat.

“I’m Scarlet Brasa-Glass. Nice to meet you all.” I ignore him.

The redhead lets out a sound somewhere between a scoff and a yelp, while the others manage to maintain their composure, though not without exchanging surprised looks before they greet me politely.

He’s told them about me.

“Scarlet, I’m not gonna beat around the bush. I feel this crazy need to ask you of your intentions, like I’m a parent meeting my daughter’s new boyfriend. Only, well...you know.” Morrigan speaks, eyebrows raised in both amusement and raw need to protect those she loves.

I cannot contain my laughter at her honesty as her husband gently rubs his temple with his pointer finger, holding in whatever line would have probably undermined his wife in public. But there’s a lovely hint of pride in the black pits of his eyes. I like him already.

“Jesus fuck,” Carter whispers, showing just a hint of exasperation, and I find his reaction so damn amusing.

“None of the intentions you’re implying. If I had any, I wouldn’t have waited six months to do something, until dear Mr. Pierce randomly saw me on the street.” I shrug, holding the smile.

“I’m sure you can understand why it’s a bit difficult for us to believe that,” Finnigan Hennessey says.

“Actions, or lack thereof, speak louder than words in this situation. Right?” I ask.

Someone grunts, but my attention is back on Carter, caught in that hypnotic gaze that reminds me of carnivorous plants. Utterly beautiful, yet undoubtedly deadly.

Slowly, I bend over as he holds himself perfectly still, until the heat of his cheek radiates against mine and my lips are a breath away from his ear.

“I was a good girl for you all this time,” I whisper for only him to hear, “and you hurt my feelings, killer-boy.”