Page 4 of Darkness Tempt Me
The only plus side of this morning is that I didn’t get the creepy, weird feeling of someone watching me. The strange sensation has been happening more often, and I’m starting to think it’s not just my imagination.
Two hours later, and I’m so engrossed in preparing consumer data reports for this week’s meetings with the investment team, I don’t notice the shift in the room until Mr. Blackwood’s signature cologne swirls in the air right next to me.
“Good afternoon.”
My gaze wanders up the length of Mavik Blackwood’s body, my heart racing. The definition of his hard muscles is clear in his broad shoulders and thick arms. Three years of working for Mavik, of being his right-hand man, and I’ve never seen him in anything other than a suit. Not that I’m complaining, because his suits were made to cup him to perfection.
He seems to be curious about what I’m organizing, probably since he didn’t give me an actual task before hanging up, because he leans over me, peering down at my tablet. Mr. Blackwood has always carried himself with a confident, borderline-cocky attitude, but there’s something different about him today. Theintense vibe he has about him has shifted into something more…alive. It’s almost as if he’s more energetic.Happy.
Ah crap, hetotallygot laid.
After a moment, he gracefully moves around my desk before sliding into the abandoned chair Iris left behind. That’s when I notice his tie is loose around his neck, casually enough to make my cock jerk to attention. His dark, wet hair suggests a recent shower before styling. Damn, I don’t know what’s more distracting, the fact that he smells so fucking delicious or that this casual, relaxed version of Mavik is so fucking sexy.
He runs a hand through his wet hair, and suddenly I’m imagining him in the shower. Since Blackwood Investments owns the whole building, it would only make sense that Mr. Blackwood himself would live in the penthouse that takes up the entire top floor, making it easy for him to shower before walking into the office.
He clears his throat, causing my eyes to flicker up to his. There’s an almost heated energy in his gaze.
“Peyton,” he growls. “You need to stop looking at me like that.”
His words snap me back to reality. “Oh, god.” I fumble in my seat and almost drop my tablet. “I’m so sorry. Did you say something?”
His lips twitch with amusement, and I blink. “I thanked you for preparing this week’s reports for our meetings with the executives and investors. Were you able to reach Mr. Sinclair’s office?”
I sigh. “I’m sorry, sir. His assistant gave me the runaround. They were pretty upset with us for canceling. Peggy, Mr. Sinclair’s assistant, said she would get back to us with a timeifMr. Sinclair is still willing to meet with us. Seriously, the audacity of that woman! It’s bullshit. She acts like he’s royalty or something.”
Mavik’s eyes flash with rage before he nods slowly, some of that light in his eyes dimming.
The impulse to defend myself is overwhelming, like a knee-jerk reaction. I don’t want Mavik to think I let Peggy walk all over me. “I mentioned you had a family emergency, and that, in all my time with you, I’ve never had to cancel like this. I’m sorry if I overstepped, sir, but I didn’t really know what to say. Though I did try to reassure Mr. Sinclair’s assistant that this meeting is very important to us. I—”
Mavik holds up a hand, and I snap my mouth shut. Damn. I can’t believe I just rambled my excuses at him. Seeing Mavik look so damn sexy, combined with my nerves and jealousy, has me acting like it’s my first day at the job.
As if sensing this moment of silence is the perfect time to announce itself, my stomach growls.
His eyes trail down my body, his intense gaze causing me to shiver. “Are you almost done with the consumer reports?”
“Yes. I just finished. I also prepared a report for you with a good investment opportunity wi—”
Mavik holds up his hand again. Only this time, he offers me a sexy-as-sin smirk. Okay, seriously? Who the fuck is this guy? Mavik Blackwood doesn’t dress casually, or smile this often, let alone stop someone from telling him about a good investment opportunity.
“Let me take you to lunch. My treat,” he says, completely catching me off guard. My eyes drop to my tablet, and I glance at today’s schedule. We never get lunch together, not unless we’re wrapping up a meeting or have business out of town.
“Sir?” I ask stupidly, heart in my throat. What the fuck is happening?
“You’re always taking care of me, Peyton, but who takes care of you?” With that, he stands, tightens his tie, and walks toward the elevators. Even through my pure shock and confusion, I can’thelp but watch him walk away. Mavik peers over his shoulder, and I swear the cocky bastard chuckles when he sees me checking out his ass.
My mouth must resemble a little fishy out of water because I just sit there, opening and closing it several times before snapping back to reality, gathering my things, and rushing after my boss.
Chapter three
Mavik
Note to self: Don’t kill right before work.
A rush of energy, stronger than any hit from a drug or caffeine high, pulses through my body. I always get like this after a kill. The days when fear and paranoia plagued me are long gone, replaced by my desire for blood and revenge.
The best way to describe the sensation is that it feels like my blood is dancing in my veins. It’s better than any orgasm, although if I’m being honest, I’m horny as hell too. Perhaps that’s because of the excitement of feeling this way near the beautiful man in front of me.
Peyton keeps stealing curious glances at me from over his menu, and the alpha beast or caveman who seems to reside within me keeps preening under his curious gaze. My pretty little assistant has always drawn my attention, but right now, with the adrenaline still coursing through me, it’s hard to hide my attraction. I drum my fingers on the table, trying to expel some of this excess energy.
