Page 41 of Wicked Bite
“Why did you like it?”
“Because it was perfect and fun. She had us at her house and it was all eclectic art everywhere. My own personal Met. I loved every minute of it.”
“It does sound fun.” I’d never experienced something like that. Just kid stuff. But two hundred years ago, they didn’t have art lessons for children. “But you’re not an artist?”
“God, no.” She snort-laughed. “You should see the stuff I made. It’s unrecognizable.”
“I’d love to see it.” I wanted to see everything.
“Not on your life,” she teased and walked away from me.
I enjoyed this, being wrapped around her little finger. It was a new experience for me. Apparently, Piper was full of things I hadn’t had in my long, long time here on this earth. “Next question?”
“Ohhh, aren’t we in a giving mood?”
“I tend to be generous, yes.” I waved her on as we strolled into a room full of contemporary art. It wasn’t my favorite, but I appreciated it for what it was. “Ask me.”
“When was your last relationship?”
I chuckled. “Define relationship.”
“Play on, player.” She gave me a bump with her elbow but the muscles around her mouth tensed ever so slightly. Like she was putting on a playful bravado, but her guard went up just a bit more at the thought of me being a player.
“Nothing like that, Little Creature. I just haven’t had my interest caught in a while. My last relationship was many years ago. She was lovely. But in the end, we were better off as friends.”
She gave me a skeptical look. “Does she think that?”
I pulled out my cell phone and handed it to her. “Call her if you like. I’m sure you’ll both get on quite well.”
Piper scoffed. “Ballsy. I like it. Kind of like that weird painting over there.”
“You know I rather like you.” Truer words were never spoken.
A breathtaking smile spread across her face. “Mutual adoration it is, then.”
She is eternally charming. “And what is it that you want today?”
She wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me in closer, hugging me to her. My arms fell around her shoulders, and she looked up at me with those hypnotic eyes of hers. “Nothing less than the world.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
PIPER
Exhaustion overwhelmed my body. I felt it in my bones and in the tenderness of my muscles. Even my eyes were dry and heavy. I stumbled into my bedroom and nearly fell over as I ripped off my work shirt. After spending the entire day yesterday walking around the city with Grayson and working my insane shift tonight, I was beat. All I wanted was my bed and to let the oblivion of sleep take me. It was busier than I’d seen it in weeks. I threw my shirt into a pile on the floor and quickly peeled my jeans down my legs and kicked those to the ever-growing pile of laundry as well.
I dragged myself to the closet and picked up the sweatpants I’d worn the day before and yanked them onto my legs. They were warm, fuzzy, and comfortable. I spun around in a circle and grabbed my favorite sweatshirt off the foot of the bed and shoved my arms in. It was dark gray and fell off one of my shoulders but also baggy enough for it to do exactly what I needed. I was looking for my full comfort mode, complete with warm fuzzy blanket, pillow, and sweats. All I needed was the perfect messy bun and my night was made. Dice was already passed out down the hall, and I was left to my own devices. I hadn’t seen or heard from Grayson all night, but I’d gotten a “Good morning, beautiful. Have a nice day.” via text and it was more than enough for me.
Something was moving differently between us. It was like even when he wasn’t there, I carried him with me like a second skin. I could almost feel his moods and intentions from a distance. He occupied my thoughts daily and I couldn’t say I was sorry about it. There was a point, and I didn’t know when it happened, that he turned into the person I wanted to say good morning to first and good night to at the end of the day. It’d happened so fast and so naturally, like we were always meant to be. I didn’t know how I felt about that. Part of me wanted to rebel against losing my heart to a guy like Grayson. The other part of me . . . well, for the other part of me, it was too late.
As if summoned by my thoughts, my phone buzzed with a text from him. Hello, Little Creature. How was your night?
Crazy busy. I sighed and fought the urge to climb into bed. If I lay down now, I would be out cold, and I just wasn’t ready to say goodnight to him yet.
My phone vibrated again with another message. You must be knackered.
Exhausted. I wasn’t lying. Even my eyelids were trying to force me to sleep.
Those three little dots popped up, then his message came through. Best get you to bed.
