Page 72 of Stone Seduction
He attacked the cream with a spoon, nodding. “Tom will be livid he missed this beauty.”
I watched him enjoy the sickly beverage, my guilt back to jab at me.
Should I lay the truth on the table right now? He deserved it. But this café and its customers didn’t deserve to be the epicenter of his rage. With no potion inside him, I only had his assurances that things were under control on his end.
And you’re my anchor…
I trusted him. Bollocks to the thorn of doubt. Look at him keeping it together, promising he had a grip on everything. That his darkness was actually a source of strength, part of what made him powerful.
When I’d arrived at the park, he’d exuded an aura of menace. Every hair on my body stood to attention watching him, the world on pause. Now he made googly eyes at a caramel latte, all sunny and sensual.
Safe. With me.
Mine and capable.
“This is incredible,” he said, golden cream on his upper lip.
I reached forward, wiping it with my thumb.
“Oh.” He crossed his eyes to watch me. “Thanks.”
Man, he gave my smiling muscles a workout. Whatever he was, no matter the dangers, he would always be the human I…
…shit. I couldn’t say it. I didn’t deserve to say it.
I sank back in my chair, the minutes chiming down in my head. What next after this? What would Seth do to him?
“Shit…” I rasped, jaw tight. “I can’t stand this.”
Luke dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “What’s wrong?”
“Everything.” I fiddled with my rose quartz.
He took another sip, avoiding a cream mustache this time. “This is Seth’s fault.” He spoke in a clear, calm voice. “Him andLuna wanted to take me there, so it’s on them. Any word on their status?”
“No.” I knew Billy had been there too, but I left him way on the back burner. “Carissa didn’t say.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “There’s a shock.”
I took his hand, stroking the knuckles. “I’m sorry I let you down.”
He tilted his head, brows pinching together.
“I’ve been a total screw up,” I continued. “This ain’t good. I’m gonna be better. I want…I’m just so sorry. So, so sorry.”
He placed his hand over mine. “Don’t do that.”
His touch winded me. “Luke…”
He gave me the biggest, heartbreaking smile. “Don’t even go there. You’re awesome, Asher. In so many ways. You didn’t ask for this. Since the day we met, I’ve brought chaos into your life. I’m the one who should be sorry.”
His words were as sweet as his coffee. “Luke…”
He brushed his foot against my leg, his eyes radiant sapphires. The one guy in this entire universe to disarm me, to make me truly believe in the better side of life.
“Never apologize for being you, Asher. I love having you around. You’ve given me all the yellow.” He giggled. “Yellow really suits you. You’re the brightness I crave, the extra slice of happy I’ve been missing. You know, the part friends can’t provide.” He blushed, smiling, giving his bottom lip a bit of a nervous chew. “If you catch my drift.”
I reached for him with my free hand, stroking the side of his face with the back of my hand. He closed his eyes, rubbing against me.
