Page 9 of Darkness Tempt Me
I’m about to hit send, but catch myself at the last second. Something about today was different. The way he stared at meduring lunch. The way we opened up to each other about our families. We’ve never crossed that line before. Those coy smiles and little blushes. He’s torn down the wall of protection I built around my heart, making it easy to forget who I am,whatI am.
Fuck.
It was intoxicating.He’s intoxicating. I thought I knew everything there was to know about my assistant, but there’s only so much one can gather from background checks and social media. Today, Peyton and I shared intimate things, and he let me into his thoughts—while sober—and willingly gave me a piece of himself by exposing his insecurities.
I want more.
Need more.
But this isn’t some silly romance where I confess my feelings for him. I erase the text and type out a different message.
Mavik: How are you? Did you finally get hold of your brother?
Peyton picks up his phone as soon as it lights up and he types out a quick message.
Peyton: I’m fine. He’s fine.
Peyton: I don’t want to talk about Ty. Next.
Relief settles through me. Not because he seems upset with Tyler, but because it was probably just a sibling fight, not someone physically hurting the man I care about.
I grin at his message. The word next is his way of changing the subject.
Mavik: There’s my sassy little assistant. Should we talk about your favorite subject instead?
Peyton reads the message, his plush lips parting with shock. He grins down at the phone, and I mentally pat myself on the back for distracting him.
Peyton: My favorite subject, huh? And what’s that?
Mavik: Well, I know how obsessed you are with your boss.
I hit send before realizing what I’ve just said. What the fuck is wrong with me? Am I really traveling down this path and flirting with my young assistant?
I jerk my head up to watch Peyton’s reaction.
He peers down at his screen, and a stunning smile spreads across his face. His blond curls tumble forward as he just stares at his phone. Fuck, he’s beautiful. What is it about Peyton that has me breaking all my rules? It’s not just his looks; I know that. It’s his witty brain and bratty personality. It’s those perfect glimpses he shows me of his need to submit. If I weren’t a man born from vengeance and eager to kill, he’d be my perfect half. Instead, he’s forbidden fruit. A temptation I want to sink my teeth into and savor.
Peyton: More like you’re obsessed with me, sir.
True.A predatory grin tips my lips.You have no fucking idea, little light.
Peyton places the phone back on the counter with a grin, and he props a hip against the fridge, staring at the screen, waiting for my reply. His words shoot a shiver of lust to my cock, and I smirk. I can practically hear the flirty, sassy tone he would use to deliver those words in person. My perfect little temptation.
As if realizing what he just said to his boss, his eyes widen, and he grabs for his phone, typing frantically. His face is flushed red. Poor boy, his porcelain skin could never hide that pretty red color.
Peyton: Just kidding. Anyway, why are you texting me so late? What are you doing right now?
Damn. How tempting would it be to toy with my prey? I take a seat on one of the patio chairs and place the flower on the table as I type out a text I shouldn’t send.
Mavik: What would you do if I told you I was watching you? Following every little movement you make?
Confusion momentarily flickers across his face, mixed with a delicious hint of fear. After several seconds, that bratty grin is back as he shrugs away his concern.
Peyton: Is that so? I’d say prove it. What am I doing right now?
Mavik: You’re in your kitchen, making dinner.
Peyton gasps. He spins around as if just now remembering his food and tugs the microwave door open. He pulls out his sorry excuse for a dinner and tosses it on the counter.
