Page 14 of Sacrifice
"How did you—" Brandon starts.
"Small town," Emil says, though Tallahassee isn't small at all. "People talk."
"We're having a nice dinner," I interject. "Which you're interrupting."
"Am I?" He doesn't move. "Seemed like Brandon here was looking for an exit."
"I wasn't?—"
"You were." Emil's voice drops, becomes almost conversational. "See, you recognize what happened at the wedding wasn't a fluke. You know she's not really here with you. She's here trying to prove something."
"Emil," I warn.
"Prove what?" Brandon asks, and I want to shake him for engaging.
"That she doesn't want me." Emil's looking at me again. "That what we have doesn't matter. That she can date nice, safe guys who don't make her feel too much."
"There is no 'we'," I snap.
"No?" He leans down, braces his hands on the table.
Close enough that I can smell him—leather and danger and that soap that makes me want to lick his throat. "Tell me you haven't thought about that night. Tell me you don't check your phone, hoping I've called. Tell me you don't compare every man who touches you to me."
"You arrogant?—"
"Tell me," he challenges, "that you're not wet right now just from me being this close."
"Jesus Christ," Brandon mutters.
My face burns. "You need to leave."
"I will. Just answer one question." He straightens, eyes never leaving mine. "Why haven't you returned my calls?"
"Because I don't want to talk to you."
"Wrong answer."
"It's the only answer you're getting."
"Emil!" Tor calls from across the restaurant. "Doran's ready."
Emil nods but doesn't move. "This isn't over."
"Yes, it is."
"You can lie to him," he says, jerking his chin at Brandon. "You can lie to yourself. But we both know the truth. You're mine, Saga. Always have been."
"I'm not?—"
"Yeah, you are." He reaches out, tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch is gentle, but it burns like fire. "Enjoy your dinner."
He walks away, joining the others at a table in the back. I can feel him watching me, the weight of his gaze like hands on my skin.
"What the fuck was that?" Brandon asks.
"I'm sorry. He's... complicated."
"Complicated?" Brandon laughs, but it's bitter. "The man just basically pissed on you to mark his territory."
