Page 22 of Curiosity

“Hunting is a barbaric practice,” he said, standing from his chair to move to where I was. “Let’s get you inside.”

He helped me from my seat, planting a hand at the small of my back to guide me inside. It took everything in me not to moan over the feel of his skin against mine – I purposely moved slow, prolonging the contact.

“Sir,” one of his staff said as soon as we’d stepped inside. “It’s time.”

The man held up a small leather pouch, and Elias nodded, then looked at me. “Give me a moment, doll.”

He moved away, taking the warmth of his touch with him as he existed that parlor area where he’d guided me.

I gave myself permission to look around.

There were dozens of framed pictures around the room, and I took them all in – starting with one of Elias and two men who had to be his brothers.

They wereallfine.

The pictures were from all different places, time periods. Most didn’t have a label, but I had to assume the subjects were all somehow important to Elias, to be so beautifully displayed in this manner.

Halfway up a wall, tucked into a corner, I found one that made my eyes go wide – downtown Blackwood, before the historic massacre. Known back then asSugarleaf, which was emblazoned across the top of the photograph. I leaned in close, realizing I was looking at a picture ofThe Black Gallerywhen it was first built, with the rest of downtown.

The man standing out front holding the vintage camera lookedexactlylike Elias – at least, as much as he could in such an old photo.

This must be their father?

“You’ve got an eye for detail, I see.”

The sound of his voicerightbehind me almost made me jump out of my skin. I clutched a hand to my chest as he grabbed me at the elbows, steadying me. The position brought us so close I could feel his heartbeat, his breath on my face… his dick against my stomach.

Hard.

He let out a deep, ragged breath as he stepped back. “I think it’s time to get you back home.”

Five

Ifrowned, confused by what felt like a very sudden dismissal. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No. Absolutely not,” he assured, bringing a hand to my back again. “But it’s very late, and I believe you have a client in the morning, no?”

My gaze flicked to the clock I’d noticed on the wall earlier. Itwasalready after midnight, and I needed to be in the kitchen at six am starting prep.

“Oh. I guess you’re right. But… how do you know my schedule?”

He smirked. “There is a large calendar on the wall—”

“In my office,” I finished, already filling in the details in my head. “Which you’ve been in. Uninvited, by the way.”

“You didn’t seem to mind too much,” he said, leading me back to the front entry. “But… something is bothering you now?”

I raised an eyebrow. “You know that because…?”

“It’s all over your face. What’s wrong?”

I swallowed hard, taking a step back from him – away from his touch. “This just feels like a very anti-climatic end to what I believed was a good night.”

“Ahh,” he murmured, rubbing a hand over the soft facial hair on his chin. “You wanted me to fuck you tonight – that’s why you came?”

“No!” I denied, flustered. “I wasn’t –”

“You’re disappointed – it’s okay to say that,” he said, closing the distance I’d put between us. “Don’t worry—I’ll be filling you to the brim soon enough.”

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