Page 11 of Darkness Tempt Me (Bloody Desires #7)

Chapter ten

Peyton

I t only takes a few days for Mavik and me to return to our normal boss and assistant relationship.

Or maybe, more accurately, it only takes a few days for us to start pretending to be normal again.

There’s an undercurrent of something… more between us that neither of us can escape.

It’s as if we both crossed some imaginary line the day we went to lunch, and it’s something we can’t undo.

Mavik apologized for texting me inappropriately and explained it away by saying he had too much to drink with some buddies.

But despite his words, something is different.

It’s in the way his intense stare lingers.

He reminds me of a dangerous animal watching its prey and waiting.

Waiting for what? I have no idea. Maybe for me to mess up?

To step back over that line we keep toeing?

I don’t know, but the bratty side of me can’t help but love all the attention.

I want to push him. Flirt with him and see what it takes for him to pounce.

“You can expect me at the office within an hour, sir.”

“Very well. Are you stopping by the café? You know you don’t need to rush things. You can take more time if you need it, Peyton.” The concern in his voice is a comforting caress that takes my breath away. Damn. He’d make a sexy Daddy.

No. Bad, Peyton. You can’t think of your hot-as-sin boss as Daddy material.

“I can’t allow myself to turn it into a big deal. Tell me your order.”

I haven’t walked back into the café since the morning of the panic attack, and the more I avoid it, the more I know I’m making my fears worse.

If I don’t walk back in there, then the café is going to become an imaginary problem I’ll be afraid to tackle.

It’s better to go back now just so I can realize it isn’t the threat my body is pretending it is.

He sighs. “Fine. Get me an Americano, please.”

“As you wish, sir,” I purr into the phone with a grin. Not that he can see me, but I hope he can hear just how flirty this grin is. My smile widens when I hear him suck in a deep breath before ending the call.

The bell chimes overhead as I walk in. I immediately spot Billy at the cash register, just like last time. Only, there isn’t a line of people or anyone to distract the barista from spotting me as soon as I cross the threshold.

Billy offers me a wide smile, his whole face lighting up as soon as he sees me, almost as if he’s relieved that I’m safe. Suddenly, I feel like a jackass. I should have walked in the day after everything happened. He must have been worried sick.

I take a deep breath and walk right up to him.

“Hey, you,” he says. “I was about to call the cops and tell them some guy in a fancy suit kidnapped you.”

I bark out a laugh, instantly feeling better. “God, I wish.”

“Is that so?” Billy arches a brow before drumming his fingers on the counter. “You into the whole dark kidnapper trope?”

“Well, I mean, sure, but you have to admit that particular guy in the suit was hot, right?” I ask, scanning the menu. Is it wrong to get the herbal tea that reminded me of Mavik? I bite my lip. God, I really want that tea again.

He shrugs. “If you’re into all that. To each their own, I guess.”

“Oh yeah, tall, dark, and handsome is definitely my type. But don’t worry. That was just my boss.”

“That was the infamous Mavik Blackwood?”

I nod, returning my gaze to the menu. Suddenly, the sense of being watched crawls up my spine, causing me to stiffen.

I try to tell myself it’s only my imagination, but the feeling won’t seem to go away.

Turning around, I spot a handsome man in a suit.

It isn’t uncommon in this area, not with all the corporate offices on this strip, but something about him seems familiar.

My mind races, trying to place him without much luck.

The man cocks his head with an arrogant tilt before checking his expensive-looking watch. “I’m in a hurry. Are you going to order, or what?”

“Look, sir,” Billy snaps, before I can even get a word out. Typically, I’m quick with a smart-ass reply, but I’m still anxious about returning to this café so soon after my public panic attack. “You need to wait your turn. Peyton hasn’t been here long, and he has every right to browse the menu.”

My heart races when the man gives Billy a nasty sneer.

Was this the guy giving me that creepy feeling?

The man in the business suit steps closer, and I jump into the conversation before either man can say anything else.

“Thank you, Billy. But can I just get that herbal tea you got me last time? That citrusy one?”

Billy grits his teeth, as if he’s about to say something to the man behind me before changing his mind. “Sure,” he replies, facial features softening when his gaze refocuses on me. “I knew you’d like that one. Would you like anything else, Pey?”

My head jerks up at the nickname, but Billy doesn’t seem to notice. Mavik and Iris are the only ones who have ever called me Pey , and I must admit, I’d like to keep it that way. “Peyton,” I correct, before I can stop myself. “Please just call me Peyton.”

Billy purses his lips into a tight line. “Of course.”

“Can you also get an Americano for Mavik?”

Billy doesn’t say anything else, just gives me his back. Since my tea is easy, he fills up a large to-go cup with hot water, drops in two tea bags, and pops the lid into place before handing it to me. As soon as I’m done paying, I make my way to an empty table as I wait for Mavik’s order.

Pulling out my phone, I tap on my brother’s name and hit call.

Just like every other time I’ve tried calling him recently, it continues to ring.

And ring. When it goes straight to voicemail, my heart sinks, and I end the call without leaving a voice message.

There’s still plenty of time before I have to be at work, so when a crowd starts to form in the café and Billy is the only person stuck at the front, I don’t mind waiting a little longer.

I work on my deep breaths while peering around.

While sipping my tea, I recognize items I mentioned to Mavik while he was helping me through my attack.

A deep voice rumbles behind me. “I’m sorry about earlier.” The rude man in the suit pulls out a chair and sits across from me as if he belongs there.

An uneasy feeling settles over me, and I straighten in my seat.

The earthy orange scent of my tea wraps around me like a protective shield.

I grip the large paper cup with both hands, stealing from its warmth.

I bring the tea up to my face and inhale, ignoring Mr. Asshole’s lame attempt at an apology.

He laughs, nudging me with his foot under the table. “All right, I guess I deserve the cold shoulder, but really, I’m sorry for all that back there.” He waves toward the counter at Billy.

I roll my eyes and place my cup back on the table in front of me. “Didn’t you say you were in a hurry?” Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Billy studying us, and I appreciate a friendly face looking out for me.

Mr. Asshole grins. “For you? I’m willing to slow things down.” His gaze travels up and down my body, making me feel exposed, and my stomach twists.

What the hell? Now the rude guy is flirting with me? I slide my leg out of reach and pull my peacoat tighter around my body.

“Aw, don’t be like that. I’m trying to make things right. Plus, you look awfully familiar. Have we met before?” When I don’t reply, the guy continues talking. “My name’s Drake.”

Something about his name causes alarm bells to go off.

He really does seem familiar, and he’s also under the impression we met before, but I can’t put my finger on it.

Mr. Asshole Drake really is handsome in his black suit and chiseled jaw.

His light brown eyes bore into mine, and I can’t quite tell if the jerk is trying to intimidate me or if he’s trying to make it obvious he’s checking me out. Either way, I don’t like it.

I try not to let it show that the guy freaks me out. Maybe if I hadn’t had a panic attack last time I was here, or maybe if the man hadn’t shown me his true colors in line, I would have flirted back. Maybe gave him the time of day, but not now. Not with this icky feeling swirling in my chest.

Billy calls my name. I glance up, and he holds up Mavik’s Americano before setting it down on the counter.

Gracefully, I stand in one motion, channeling Mavik’s domineering CEO confidence as I button up my peacoat.

Making a show of my slow movements, I deliberately ignore the creeper.

Once I’m settled with my paper cup in hand, I allow my eyes to meet Drake’s gaze.

“I hope you have a good day, Drake. But the next time you decide to flirt with someone, I recommend not being an asshole beforehand.” With those parting words, I walk over to the counter and grab Mavik’s Americano.

Blackwood Investments is only about a block away when that creepy sensation of being watched returns.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see someone following me.

Matching my quick pace. The last time I felt this unsettled was when my ex was in my life.

Looking back, I don’t notice anything unusual.

Morning commuters weave around each other on the busy street, going about their usual routines.

Taking a deep breath, I shake my head and continue walking. I try to ignore the glimpses of a man in a navy suit constantly behind me. But the flash of color causes my breath to catch painfully in my chest.

It’s a huge relief when I finally make it into the building and rush toward the opening elevator doors. “Hold the doors for me, please!” I call out to someone inside.