Page 71 of His Haunted Desire

“You’re wrong,” she says. “He’s a good person. You’re avoiding my question.”

I slam my hand against my chest. “She was going to lose the shop. I helped her… and in return, she helped me.”

Grandma slumps down in a chair, her hand on her forehead. “Oh,” she mutters. “I'd hoped I was wrong. What you two had, it seemed so real. You seemed so good together. I thought you’d finally found someone.”

“So did I,” I say.

She looks up. “Excuse me?”

“So did I,” I say, louder. “It started as a deal, but those days were special. I felt closer to her watching silly horror flicks than I have to any woman I’ve dated. I respect the hell out of her. We had…”

Chemistry, passion, something special.

“Something,” I go on, sighing. “But she made it clear it was just a deal, and I respect that.”

At least I’m trying to, though I’ve driven by Needle & Muse a few times, telling myself it’s to check she’s okay when really I just want to see her.

“Ma’am?” Sebastian says from behind us, knocking on the open door. “Would you like some tea?”

“Eavesdropping again?” I snarl, turning to him.

He averts his gaze. “I wouldn’t dream of it, sir.”

“You’re full of shit.”

“Raiden!” Grandma snaps. “Leave him alone.”

“What have you got on my grandmother, Sebastian?” I say, approaching the smaller man. “Some dirt? Some angle? Blackmail that’s been going on damn near a decade? Why is she protecting you?”

“Protecting me from what, sir?”

“The cops,” I snap. “And me.”

“The police?” He looks confused. “Wait a second, you don’t think… Why would I hurt that man, Raiden? What possible motive could I have?”

“He doesn’t mean it,” Grandma insists. “He’s confused and angry, that’s all. Raiden, if you’re going to say mean things, just go.”

Whatever else is true, I can’t imagine Sebastian hurting Grandma. They’ve probably spent more time together over the past two weeks than I’ve spent with her. I storm out of the room, shoving into Sebastian.

A light drizzle falls as I drive into town, stopping across the street from Needle & Muse.

The world seems less grim when I see Aurora in the front window, working side by side with her grandmother. The other times I’ve swung by, Aurora has been working alone. It’s good to know that Margot is on the mend.

It would be perfectly acceptable for me to go in and say hello, but I don’t. The sad truth is, I’m afraid of what will happen if I talk to Aurora again. These past two weeks have been difficult, my thoughts constantly straying to her, not just the sex, but the closeness, the natural feeling it all had.

I wasn’t lying when I told her she was going to become my obsession every time I pleasured myself. I only do it when I have to, when thoughts of her become so all consuming I can’t think of anything else.

Then we’re back in the store, in front of the mirrors, as she bends over for me and her thick, gorgeous ass slams against my abs.

Aurora hangs something in the front window, then pauses, looking across the street at me. After several long moments of us staring at each other, she raises her hand in a tentative wave.

I pull out of the parking lot and drive away.

We had a deal. I need to stop coming back here.

I go straight to the gym and beat the heavy bag until my knuckles bleed through my boxing gloves.

CHAPTER 27