Page 33 of Enthrall Ecstasy
Passing the kitchen table, I glanced at the open laptop.
My Instagram page was on the screen, photos of moments captured by me. My life played out in full color. Endless squares went on for years.
Me on Laurel Canyon’s hiking trail. Selfies taken at the Hollywood Bowl. Partying with friends at The Reserve. Me in uniform at work. In a mini-dress entering Bar Sinister.
The last one taken was of a redhead heading out for the night in a masquerade mask. That Burberry trench coat a giveaway that I was barely clad beneath. A bite of my lip in that photo was me anticipating what lay ahead at Pendulum.
Shay had wanted the upper hand.
I knew anyone could see them, but this was another level of scrutiny.
The sliding glass door was open. A fresh salty breeze reminded me he lived on the coast.
I heard the sound of crashing waves and seagulls squawking.
Stepping out onto the lanai, I saw the sandy beach and the autumn night sky. Moonlight glinted off the ocean’s surface, making the setting seem magical.
A blue surfboard leaned against the wall. Reaching out, I ran my hand along its edge, feeling that familiar longing to take it out onto the water. Just like I’d done with my dad on the weekends.
Those precious days were now over.
Once again I felt that sinking feeling. Time had stolen my happiness.
“Hey,” a voice grabbed my attention.
Shay was relaxing on a lounger with a can of Budweiser in his hand. He’d changed into ripped jeans and a white shirt. Sleeves rolled up revealing his impressively toned forearms.
A breeze messed with my hair. I brushed it away from my face.
Shay was so damn hot in those jeans. His feet were bare and resting on the table in front of him.
“You’ve been researching me?” I came out and said it.
He raised his beer. “Want one?”
“No, thank you.”
“We have wine.”
I clocked the fact he’d saidwe.Did someone else live here? “Did you enjoy looking at my social media pages?”
“You’ve stepped inside my inner circle,” he said, his voice husky. “I need to know who and what I’m dealing with.”
He brought the beer to his mouth and took a few gulps, then easily squeezed the can. It folded like paper beneath his grip. Even his hands were huge. Chances were another part of his anatomy was equally as impressive. I let myself enjoy that fantasy.
He placed the destroyed can on the table. Like a symbol of what he could do to his enemies.
Then he gave me a heart-stopping smile. “You look good in my shirt.”
“The bodice was cutting off my circulation.”
He went to smile and then stopped himself, merely revealing that charismatic quirk of a brow.
I looked out at the deserted beach. Other than the waves the place was quiet. It felt like we were the last souls on earth. And I felt safe with him.
Life couldn’t touch me.
This is temporary.
