Page 33 of While She Sleeps

ORION

Ican’t say I’m not a little smug about how Ember reacted to seeing me for the first time.

When we stepped out of the private room we’ve been meeting in these past few weeks, I expected her to look straight up at me. But she didn’t. Almost as if she were too nervous to finally know what I look like.

But the look of lust and need that greeted me when she finally looked up was worth the wait. Truthfully, I’ve had women falling at my feet all my life. It’s never been a problem for me, and it’s one of the only reasons I survived when I was young. But seeing it in Ember’s eyes is different. I want her to obsess over me because I’m fucking obsessed with her. I want her desperate for me, because I can barely breathe with my need for her. And I want her to fall for me, because I’m never going to let her go.

I lean against the wall opposite the door she disappeared into and try to settle my need for her. As much as I would love to take advantage of her obvious attraction to me, I’m more than aware of the fact I’m playing the long game, and the long game is never won in a single night.

The complication of her virginity also adds another layer of complexity, but only because somehow it makes me moreravenous for her. The fact that no other man has ever touched her, that her tight little cunt will only ever have my cock slide into it, makes it difficult for me to think straight.

I’ve always prided myself on my control over all aspects of my life, because there was a time I had no control. No control of my body. No control of my mind. And no control of my circumstances. It was important to me I build a life where I would never feel that out of control again.

And yet here we are.

A figure catches my attention from the corner of my eye, and I realize Lucas has been watching me with intrigue. His shoulder rests against the wall beside his office as he appraises me in a way I don’t think he’s ever dared to before.

There’s a certain risk living a double life, especially engaging with those who want your alter ego dead. Lucas has wanted me out of the picture for years, and recently he’s become desperate. There’s no telling what he’ll do to make it happen.

“It’s extra to take the girls home,” he finally says.

“I’m just walking her to her apartment. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how unsafe these streets are.” The dig at his section of the city is clear, but he keeps his poker face in place. A testament to how many years he’s been playing this game.

He’s done little to ensure the safety of the people that live in the perimeters of his turf, and it’s always pissed me off. There are innocent people who live within the borders, and he should do more to make sure they’re not caught in the crossfire of his battles.

“Indeed.” He nods. “The cost of these little meetings the two of you are having is going up.”

“Okay.”

“By a lot. Ember is much more valuable than just a whore for the club.”

I barely manage to swallow down the growl that threatens to give me away, but I realize what he’s doing. He’s trying to get a rise out of me by calling Ember a whore, but he won’t get one. “No problem.” I force the words out despite the anger thrumming through my body.

The door in front of me opens. Ember appears with a soft smile before following where my eye line was, and it immediately drops. “I’m heading home, Lucas.”

He nods. “Don’t forget your special project, Em. I want an update tomorrow.”

She frowns but doesn’t respond despite her clear annoyance at the situation. He’s talking about her investigation into the Hunter, a project he only gave her a few weeks ago. Every man he’s given the task to has been given months to investigate and report back, but I’m not surprised that he holds her to a different standard. I’d love to think it’s because she’s so talented at what she does, but I know it’s more about her gender than anything else. “Sure.”

She turns her attention to me and nods toward the exit, leading the way up the hallway and away from Lucas.

I chance one last look at the motherfucker and don’t miss the smirk etched across his lips.

I may be a master of disguise, but he’s just seen my one weakness, and I have no doubt that he’s planning to exploit it.

“Which way?” I ask even as my feet threaten to turn us in the direction of her apartment building, and I’ve placed myself so that I’ll be closest to the road. Not that I expect her to pick up on the last part. Ember hasn’t had anyone care for her the way I do, and therefore, she probably doesn’t know that any real man will always put himself between his woman and any danger that could come to her.

Ember tugs me to the right, and I fall into step beside her. “What did Lucas have to say?” she asks quietly, flicking a lookover her shoulder to make sure we’re not being followed, and I don’t bother telling her that we are.

Killian is in a car down the street looking out for her at all times, a job my number two doesn’t quite appreciate. He’s used to dealing with buyers and managing shipments, not stalking the woman his boss is obsessed with.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

EMBER

Orion waits until we reach the curb before he takes my hand.

It’s not something I would ordinarily notice, but for some reason, the move screams at my self-doubt and anxiety. Does he not want to be seen with me?

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