Page 50 of Tainted Romance

I didn’t know what the rules were living here. Are we allowed to go out? I don’t know. Alpha Harris was a strict dad, so I was going to assume he was also a strict host.

“Where are you going?”

Really, out of all the people up and about, it just had to be him!

Turning around, I met his cold, dark eyes. “Out, isn’t that obvious?”

“By yourself?” Zane crossed his arms, arching both eyebrows. “You sure that is safe?”

I scoffed at his demeaning tone and rolled my eyes. “Really, you are lecturing me on what is safe? How about you just go back to doing whatever it was you were doing and let me be!”

I found it really suspicious that he just happened to come out the moment I left my room.

“I’ll come.”

“I do not think so!”

“Why, scared I might ruin your fun?”

“More like scared I might run in front of a bus trying to get away from you!”

“Good thing the buses stop running at nine then.” His lips twitched with a smile, and I watched in complete horror as he closed his bedroom door and shrugged his jacket on. “Come on then.”

I couldn’t think of one sensible thing to say as Zane held the front door open.

“You really want to come with me?” I could think of a handful of reasons why he and I shouldn’t be alone together and the most important one being; I might kill him.

“You can hang out with my brother, can’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s give it a go.” He gestured for me to walk past him.

“I don’t see this ending very well.”

“Don’t be negative.”

“There’s a difference between negative and honest.” I shook my head, yelling internally at myself. I shouldn’t be leaving the house with him.

“Come on, Allie, lighten up. Who knows, we might have the best time ever.” He gave me a sarcastic look.

“I suppose you’re right.” I looked at him with mischief running through my eyes. “I could push you in front of a bus.”

He winked at me. “Now that’s the spirit.”

***

Everything about Zane seemed to intensify once I had a few drinks down. My senses seemed to be cued to his every movement; like right now as he leaned over and handed the cash to the bartender for our drinks.

I watched the way his upper arms flexed with the simple movement and admired his half-chiseled smirk. He gave me a sideways glance, and then a second look; his mouth frowning while his eyes flashed with curiosity.

He leaned forward, his head tilted down to my ear, “What’s got your attention?” His voice was just audible over the music.

He slid the drink across the bar, and my fingers locked around the cold glass. I really shouldn’t be having another one.

I rose on my toes, keeping my eyes locked on his. “Nothing.”

“Liar.”

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