Page 33 of Catch You

“I’ve got a little time now, if you’d like to discuss your plans?”

I start to believe that I can do this, that he’ll be able to keep me relaxed enough to go through with something I’ve spent years dreaming about.

But then everything changes.

“Don’t even think about taking her back to your room, Snake.” My entire body jolts at the sound of his voice a beat before my skin erupts in goose bumps.

He’s here.

My eyes dart around, but I can’t see him. That doesn’t mean that my body doesn’t immediately react to his proximity.

I back away from the desk, my heart pounding uncontrollably in my chest, my hands trembling.

Of all the fucking places for him to be, why does it have to be here?

Just when I thought I was going to take control of just a small part of my life, there he is, turning it upside down again.

Snake’s chin drops as I move toward the door, but the second Corey steps out from the shadows, my body freezes.

“I’ve got this.”

Snake looks between the two of us, concern written all over his face, and for a moment, he refuses to move.

“Snake,” Corey barks, effectively forcing him to leave. “Well, well, well, look who it is.”

Dread fills my stomach, thinking that he’s angry with me for leaving like I did. I don’t know why I care, and that pisses me off more than anything.

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t be able to stay away.”

“What? No, that’s not what …” He rounds the desk, his eyes running the length of my body. I can read his thoughts as if they’re my own. He’s imagining last night.

Fuck. This was a massive fucking mistake.

“I … I …” I stutter, wishing I was closer to the door so I could escape.

Sadly, Corey has other ideas.

“I think we should go and discuss that tattoo you want.”

“N-No, it’s okay. I just stopped in on a whim aaaand—” I squeal as his fingers wrap around my wrist, and he pulls me into him.

He stares at me for a beat before his head moves closer. For a second I think he’s going to kiss me, but then he moves to the side, so his lips brush my ear.

“I’m not letting you run so easily this time.”

I try to swallow, but there’s something clogging my throat.

“Come on.” He doesn’t allow me to argue. Instead, he tugs me toward his room, giving me no choice but to follow.

He shuts the door behind him, and I find myself in an almost identical room to the reception, only instead of a couch there’s a tattoo chair. Artwork still covers the walls, and in my need to look away from him, to break what’s crackling between us, I focus on it.

My eyes flick over the incredible work before landing on something very familiar. I remember tracing this heart engulfed in flames last night. It’s on his chest. I reach out to run my finger over it, but his words stop me.

“I thought I was going to have to work harder to find you again. You really are making it easy for me.”

“I had no idea you’d be here.”

“Really?” he asks, his voice accusatory, making me turn to look at him.

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