Page 24 of Tarnished Hands (Chained Hearts Duet #7)

Chapter Twenty-Four

EZRA

I meant what I said. Piper is the most stunningly dangerous thing I have ever encountered.

She walks into the room like she owns it—and damn it, maybe she does. Every move of hers is precise and deliberate.

Beautiful.

Dangerous.

And I’m completely gone for it.

We stay at the restaurant for what feels like hours when it’s only two. I ask her about her day, and she tells me everything in great detail. Then she asks me about mine. When I mention Aqua, she scrunches up her nose at her name.

“Jealousy looks good on you,” I tell her. I pay the bill before she can and stand, offering her my hand. Piper takes it, and I clasp hers in mine as we walk out. Her car is parked right near mine. Thankfully, she didn’t drink enough for me to worry about her driving.

“Thank you for meeting me tonight,” she says.

“You aren’t going to invite me back to your place?” I joke.

She shakes her head as she drops my hand and unlocks the car. “I’ll be out of town for the next week… I forgot to tell you that before.” Her black hair is half up and half down, and I want to run my fingers through it. Instead, I reach for her hand again.

“You’ll be gone for a week?”

“Yeah. Dinner again when I’m back?” she asks.

“I’d like dessert first next time,” I tell her.

“Oh, I don’t think they serve desserts here,” she says, not getting my meaning.

“ You are my dessert.” Her eyes find mine, and she smirks.

“Hmm, we shall see. I like this.” She waves between us. “I don’t usually do the talking part.”

Piper told me about her brother, how he died, and how that affected her, how Keir and the rest of them are basically like her brothers, even though they are cousins.

How it took them a while to accept her for who she is.

Now the respect is there, and it’s what she has always wanted. Not her brother.

“Maybe a few more dates like this,” she says, referring to the talking.

“So you’re telling me I have to go without?” I ask.

Piper nods her head and leans in to kiss me. I kiss her back, and just as I slide my tongue into her mouth, she pulls back.

“Good night, Ezra.” She opens her car door and slides in.

And I watch her driving away with a stupid fucking smile plastered on my face.

* * *

The week drags, and when I say it drags, I mean it fucking drags. Piper and I text, but most of the time it’s delayed, as she’s in Italy, so different time zones apply. On day six, I try to call, but she doesn’t answer, and her phone is turned off.

“You’ve been off lately, boss.” Aqua throws me a bottle of water as she walks to the shop.

“Busy,” I reply.

“Could it have anything to do with the pretty dark-haired beauty that was in the other week?”

I look at her, and she just smiles. “I see things.” She winks. “If it’s any consolation, I bet she’s missing you just as much.”

“Missing me?”

“Yeah, you mentioned she was away. You all but grumbled it.” She laughs and goes into the office.

I stay under the car all day.

Fuck, I even forget to eat until Aqua comes out and tells me she’s leaving for the day.

“What time is it?” I ask.

“Seven.”

“You should have been gone by now.”

She shrugs. “It’s fine. I had work to do, and it’s not like I have anyone to go home to.” She pauses. “Would it be okay if I stopped in and visited your brother?”

I give her a questioning look, my brows pull together, waiting for her to answer.

“You’ve brought him in a few times, and I like him. And I have a feeling he doesn’t have too many people here. And neither do I.”

“He’s like eight years older than you.”

“I don’t want to fuck him, Ezra, just visit with him. But I would never do so without your consent.”

“If he says it’s fine, you can.”

“Okay, I’ll text him.”

“You have his number?” I ask.

“Yes, he gave it to me. We chat often. Sometimes, he asks when you get home late if you are still here.”

“So you give him insider information.” I raise a brow jokingly.

She laughs. “Yes, I guess I do. Is that bad?”

I shake my head and hear the click-clack of heels on the concrete floor. Instantly, I turn and see her .

Looking ravishing as ever, Piper makes my heart rate pick up. A smile lifts the edges of my lips, and I have this need to grab for her.

“Okay, well, I will head to your place, Ezra. Nice to see you again, Piper.” Aqua waves to Piper as she walks past her. Piper doesn’t respond. She simply watches her leave.

“Why is she going to your place?” Piper asks, crossing her arms over her chest.

“To see my brother.”

“Ohhh,” she says and eyes me.

“I’ve missed you,” I tell her, wiping my hands down my dirty jeans.

A small smile tugs at the side of her mouth. “You have?” she asks, coming closer.

“I thought you wouldn’t be back for another day.”

“I left early.”

“Why?” I ask when we’re within touching distance of each other.

“I figured someone couldn’t go long without a second date.”

“Just a date?” I ask.

She nods, then goes back to her car. I stand there confused and wait for her. Is she coming back or running away? I see her lean into her car and straighten again, then she turns, and I see two bags and drinks in her hands. “You brought me dinner?”

“I did. Have you eaten?”

“No.” She hands it to me, and I take it, my stomach grumbling. “But I want dessert, just so you know.”

“I’m awfully tired.” She brushes her hair behind her ear and smiles. “But we’ll see what we can do.”