't get her ou

shadow burned into his mind-those eyes, that calm yet distant smi

s something deeper, something that

t fell, he had a

-

r, the faint smell of gunpowder clinging to his sleeves. His

r things to fall into place-he wa

s to the range manager, a subtle bribe, and her number was

over the dial bu

e even

n't. He just needed to hear her voice again, to break this gnawing c

eath, he press

-

wine glass glistened under the soft bathroom light. I tilted my head back

ind wasn

his piercing stare, the way his hand gripped mine,

ed to

ction of seeing the power in

ining it was the sharp edge of a blade instead. The f

y phon

en noise snapping me

it up. An un

ent, my lips curling int

cou

twice more bef

's t

-

en her voice-a velvet tone, smooth an

ng forward, my elbows

ed, calm as ever

aid, waiting

ilence. Then, "How di

h she couldn't see i

e faintest lilt of amusement, but I couldn'

again. Not just for the win, but for the way y

r end, her lips forming a small smile, her he

te just to say that?" she

to see you again. Di

-

ost l

ance. The

d no tim

ting the silence stretch for a mome

e replied, voice low and s

ng back another smile.

eated, feigning

ing today," he said. "My driver will p

spoke as if it we

. "And if

p asking until

p it-a soft la

going t

ally. "Dinner it is. I'

tisfaction in his voice, like he'd j

ight,

-

my phone down and sank deeper int

new

wouldn't

ien," I whispered into the silen

-

come easily

e, the calm defiance in her tone-it was like

uldn't come

-

nlight spilling across my bed.

orward to dinner.

a long moment, my lips cu

Let's see whe

-

mien didn't know yet that