Page 47 of Desert King

My face scrunches. “Is that even sanitary?”

His face darkens. “You think I’m screwing around here? With Elle’s health?”

I smile faintly. “That’s a beautiful name.”

He grunts. “You better show up after I text you the details. Or I’m coming back for you, mouse.”

“Ooh, I’m shaking.”

“I know you are, doll. It happens every time I touch you.”

I roll my eyes. “You can go now.”

He smirks, pinning me with those eyes but finally walks out, shutting the door softly behind.

I turn the lock, watching until his taillights disappear down my drive.

“Phew, what a night.”

I carefully check the lock on each door and window, but still pace restlessly. I finally pick up my phone from where I had left it charging. There’s a bunch of new texts from my mystery man, Tarak.

Where did you go?

Why did you leave?

Call me, Christine. I can’t sleep until I hear from you.

Biting my lip, I debate what to do. I’ve messed with this man more than a woman ever should. But he’s a drug I can’t quit. I hit call.

“Don’t ever walk out on me like that again,” he growls, taking my call.

“It’s gonna be like that, huh? You’re the nice guy who’s all alpha male?”

“Damn, straight. I waited a long time to find someone I… I felt a spark with.”

“Me, too.”

An intimate silence hangs between us.

“Meet me tomorrow. No mask?”

Here it is. The moment of truth. Will I stand and face him, proud of the woman I am today? Knowing my worth? I swallow hard. It’s the only way to ever know.

“Where?”

“Our bridge?”

“We have a bridge?”

“We do and a song. It’s still in my head. The one that played as the night sky fell around us.”

“I remember it too. “Nobody, but you.”

“Yeah. Maybe that could be us. Are you willing to find out?”

I swallow thickly. “If only I could be so lucky. Do. Do you have feelings for someone else? Had a bad break up or something that still sticks with you? I’m inching to the edge of a cliff, but I need his honest answer.

“There was. Someone I thought was it for me. But she’s been gone a long time. I didn’t want to let go. I thought she was perfect. But,” he pauses. I walk over to the window, pressing my hand against the cool glass, wishing I could touch him. “She wasn’t. Far from it.”

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