Page 24 of Malachi
“That’s for sure,” she said sarcastically, those eyes of hers rolling again. It gave me the urge to swat her pert little ass for such sass. Fuck, I was itching for a scene and I knew I shouldn’t be.
“I like that you are different,” I answered, taking my brother’s advice and trying my hand at honesty. Or at least some level of honesty. She simply nodded, continuing to eat. “Do you miss town?”
“What? Why would I miss town?” she asked, a look of sheer confusion etched on her face.
“Because you keep running,” I answered.
“Yeah,awayfrom town,” she said with a faint giggle. She stared at her plate, distracting herself from the conversation. Interesting.
“Where to then?” I asked, truly intrigued.
“I don’t know,” she answered with a shrug, her demeanor shifting to that of an innocent girl afraid to discuss such matters. A part of me wanted to press her further, but I decided against it. For now, this was enough.
“Do you prefer being around people or —” I started to ask.
“Alone. I prefer being alone,” she responded. And for once, I felt something warm inside me, sharing this bit of commonality with her.
“Me, too,” I answered, offering her a small smile. I didn’t ask her any more questions after that. For now, this was enough.
CHAPTER7
MALACHI
After the tension had eased yesterday morning, the day had carried on much the same. It felt good. She bothered me less — well, I should say we bothered each other less. She was less obnoxious, and I was less, well, me. And yet, I felt more myself than I had in the last few days. We had worked around the property, fixing a few things and taking care of the animals.
We made plans for today, plans to continue working. I had it all worked out. I would use our time together to talk to her, to get to know her a little better. She was enigmatic, and called to me, urging me to know her better against all better judgment. But now those plans were torn asunder.
I looked out over the dark sky, night just beginning to take over day. The rain pelted against the paned glass, running down in fast rivulets that flooded down onto the back porch. The storm had been raging all day long, not a break in sight. I could have still talked to her, sure, but it wasn’t that easy. Without work as a distraction, I found myself stalling and muttering like a goddamn idiot.
It didn’t matter now, anyway. I had sequestered myself in the den, a glass of whiskey in my hand, not that I had taken more than a sip as I watched the rain pour down outside. It was a gorgeous thunderstorm. Lightning lit up the sky in great fractured bolts and thunder boomed loud enough it felt as though it would bring the very house down.
I watched as another bolt of lightning tore across the heavens — just in time to see a streak of white dash across the yard.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I seethed under my breath. My hand gripped the glass, slamming it down on the windowsill before I marched over to put my shoes on. That woman was going to get her ass fucking reamed. After the talks we’d had and after the agreement we had made, she had the fucking audacity to go and pull this? In weather like this?! She was crazy. Or an idiot. Or both!
I threw open the back door, slamming it shut behind me as I took off into the night. The ground squished under my boots, water saturating the earth below and pooling with every step I took. The rain was surprisingly cool, pelting down against my skin in near icy pinpricks, while the warm summer wind howled. Warm air, cold rain, it wasn’t a good sign. We didn’t get tornadoes here, at least not often. The weather was unpredictable, though, so it wasn’t out of the question.
Another bolt of lightning lit up the night, and there she was. Just inside the tree line, I could see the hint of her nightdress flapping in the wind. She was looking back at me; a smile perched on her pretty lips before she took off again just as the night grew dark once more. I took off after her, my heart beginning to race as I made it to the tree line. Under the canopy of the treetops, the rain pilfered through much more slowly, but just as cold.
I ran a few more steps forward, then stilled. My breath quieted. My heartbeat thundered through my eardrums, but I pushed it away. Closing my eyes, I focused. The hairs on the back of my arms and neck rose as my senses heightened to the fullest.
The sound of the forest rushed around me, and my mind searched, looking for that one sound that would be her tell. The jostling of brush, the pitter patter of rain, an owl hooting in the distance. And a snapping twig. Just to my left. Jackpot.
I worked to keep my breathing slow and even. It would not do to give myself away, as she had just given herself away. I stayed still, barely moving for a long moment, before I sprinted off in the direction the noise had come from. My feet moved quickly over the soggy underbrush, whipping around the trees towards her. As I made it through a small patch of trees, I slowed once more.
Breathe, Kai. Breathe.
I closed my eyes, focusing on my hearing again. It was too dark, and with the rain, it was nearly impossible to see clearly enough to find her by sight alone. My heart beat thundered out, threatening to beat right out of my chest. My hands fisted at my sides, my skin slick with the icy pellets of rain falling down. My breaths came in great pants, and my cock hardened in my jeans. Gone was Malachi.
I was Beast.
She was prey.
“Little bird, it’s time to run,” I growled, knowing full well she could hear me.
There, just to my right, came the faint sound of a gasp, then the rustle of leaves.
“Run, little bird, run,” I cackled sinisterly. The wicked thrill of the chase filled me, and I fucking let it. I indulged in it like the most decadent of desserts. A sinful, sensual pleasure that I could use to satiate my most portentous desires.
