Page 73 of On Edge

In all three mirrors, my cheeks are burning crimson. I want to squeeze my eyes closed.I want the ground to open up.

I want to die.

“I grabbed it by mistake.”

“By mistake.” His lips twitch. Actually twitch. “You accidentally picked up dominatrix lingerie.”

“It’s not—” I stare at the spikes, and there’s a play whip attached to the hanger. Okay, it is, but it’s not me, and it definitely won’t fit. There are things in my pants I need to keep hidden. And I would never in my life try it on in front of Troy Severin. “It’s too small.”

He raises a brow. “It looks the right size to me, but I can grab you a different one.”

“No! That’s okay.”

“Are you sure?” And there it is again, that almost-smirk that makes him look less like a killer and more like someone I could almost kiss again. “Because I can wait while you try things on. I’ve got time.”

I swear, his eyes undress me where I stand.

I don’t get him. I don’t get Troy Severin.

One minute, he frightens me. Then, without warning, he’s looking at me in ways that are X-rated, and does and says things that seem like he’s teasing me, flirting even. None of it mesheswith the monster in my head. And the more I’m around him, the more confused I am.

My body isn’t confused, though; my stomach keeps doing little somersaults, and suddenly the air feels too thin.

I force out a breath. “I’m done shopping here.”

Troy stares at me for a long moment and then glances at his watchagain. When he catches my eye after that, he cocks his head. “Then let’s go. I’ll take you.”

“Take me where?”

“Shopping. You said you needed to buy new clothes. Let’s go. Unless you need something from here?”

“I need underwear.” The words tumble out.

“I see,” he says smoothly.

Another blush steals over my cheeks. “Not this underwear though.”

“So you said. I have a call I need to take now, so you have fifteen minutes. Buy whatever you need.”

“Wait, how did you…”

“How did I what?”

“How did you find me?” I need to know so I can make sure he can’t next time.

He gives me a deadpan look. “The bank card I gave you has a tracker. I’ll be outside, waiting.” Then he strides out of the ladies’ changing room. And I sag against the door when he’s gone.

When I finally exit the store, he’s waiting beside the fountain, on a bench. He hangs up his phone when he sees me walking tentatively towards him.

Did he get a new phone?

Of course he did. He already noticed his had gone missing, but he doesn’t seem to have remotely wiped it yet. The stolen phone feels like a brand against my skin.

“Did you get what you needed?”

I glance down at my one lone shopping bag, clutching it in front of me like a barrier. “Yes, thank you. I’m ready to go back now.” I grabbed a pair of pyjamas, some underwear, and a few toiletries. Basic items, but they will do. I need to get back. His phone and the vial of poison are going to slip and fall out any minute.

Severin frowns at me. “Didn’t you say your suitcase got lost in the lake?”