Page 28 of Darkness Tempt Me
Peyton
The mug shatters on the floor. What the fuck is Drake doing here? And did he just introduce himself as Drake Sinclair? This is so bad. So fucking bad. Drake and Mavik’s heads whip toward me as soon as the cup crashes against the tile. Coffee and ceramic are everywhere.
“O-oh my gosh,” I stutter, trying my hardest to pull in a full breath. “I’m so sorry, sir.” I rush over to the mini food station that I set up earlier this morning. It houses all the pastries, napkins, and utensils. I reach for the roll of paper towels, tearing off several before kneeling on the floor.
Mavik moves with liquid grace, easily plucking the paper towels from my grasp and helping me clean up.
Anger radiates off him, but even so, I keep my eyes focused on my boss, not letting my gaze drift over to Drake.Better the devil I know.Mavik carefully picks up the ceramic before kneeling on the floor next to me. I gasp. “Sir, your pants. They’re getting wet.”
“Hush,” he whispers under his breath, only loud enough for me to hear.
Heat floods my face as I watch Mavik’s expensive suit soak up my cheap coffee. I’m frozen in place, completely flustered, as Mavik cleans up the mess I should be cleaning myself. When he’s finished, he stands, grasping my elbow and encouraging me to stand with him.
“If you’ll excuse us, Drake. We need to clean up and change. Do you mind if we have a few minutes to ourselves?”
Finally, I gather the courage to look over at Drake and meet his eyes. He doesn’t say anything. Just gives me a creepy look that sends a chill down my spine. I don’t understand why he freaks me the fuck out, but he does. The look he gives me isn’t sexual. It’s predatory. It’s not one of those looks like he’s trying to undress me with his eyes, but rather like he wants to see what it takes to break me. To hurt me. To peel me open and inflict pain over and over again.
Mavik places a possessive hand on the small of my back.
Drake’s gaze bounces from me to my boss. That terrifying expression melts into amusement. It’s as if he finds this whole situation entertaining. “Go on. Take your time. I’ll just enjoy a pastry if you don’t mind.”
Mavik smiles. His expression is equally terrifying.What the fuck is going on here?I feel like the two men are in some kind of pissing contest. They’re having a silent conversation I don’t understand as Mavik’s hand wanders over to my hip, where he grips it painfully, silently guiding me out of the boardroom.
I turn left immediately, walking toward the elevator that will lead me to his penthouse. Since he needs to change, I assume it’s where we’re going. Instead, he yanks me into the nearest supply closet and turns on the dim light.
“What the hell was that?” Mavik growls, crowding me against the wall. “Do you know him?”
I blink, shocked at his possessive tone. I shove him back with my hands on his chest, but he barely moves. He presses in, my back hitting the wall again. Anger rushes through me. “What the fuck are you doing?” I snap.
Instead of getting angry, Mavik smiles, his fingers tracing my jaw. “There you are. I didn’t like the look that man put on your face.”
My lips part in shock. The coffee-soaked pants. The manhandling to get me off the floor and out of the room. He was trying to get me away from Drake and distract me. Trying to make me feel angry and safe rather than scared. I swallow hard. When did Mavik Blackwood become an expert at comforting me? “Thank you,” I say, tone soft.
He nods. “What was that all about, Pey? Do you know Drake?”
I shake my head and let out a deep breath. “No. I don’t think so. He looks familiar, but I think the first time I saw him was the day I went back to the café after my panic attack. The guy was a dick, and—” my words trail off.
Should I tell him I thought Drake was following me? But surely that was just a coincidence. I’ve been having this feeling of someone stalking me for a while now. It couldn’t be him…right?
Mavik gently tips my chin up. “And what, Pey?”
“I think he followed me here. To Blackwood Investments.” I gasp. “Wait, it was the same day Peggy called to schedule this meeting.”
I remember the way Drake placed his phone up to his ear when he left the elevator that day. Peggy called only minutes after that. My eyes bounce back up to Mavik’s. “Do you think that’s why he wanted me in the meeting? Because he’s following me?”
“Hmm.” Mavik purses his lips together. “I was wondering why you texted me just to let me know you were in the elevator.”
I nod. “I was paranoid. Some days, I feel like I’m being followed. Or watched. I wanted you to know where I was…just in case. Texting you made me feel safe.”You make me feel safe.
Mavik tips his head curiously. “How long have you had the feeling that you’re being stalked?”
“It’s recent. Maybe the past few months or so?”
“Months? Are you fucking kidding me?”
I wince. Saying it out loud sounds ridiculous.
“Peyton, if you ever feel unsafe, I want you to tell me,” he says in a stern tone. “Do you understand me?”
