Page 7 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
She grinned. “I live my best life. No shame and you don’t get tired, Bay. You’re the ‘I function on three hours of sleep and caffeine’ type.”
“Last night was longer than usual and those people were doing too much.”
She still looked suspicious but let it go. “Tae wants us both on the Westfield Fundraiser. I don’t know how these rich people keep finding reasons to throw million-dollar dinners, but at least it’s in the city.”
I must have zoned out because she was calling my name. “Sorry. What?”
She hit me with an amused look. “Damn, I need whatever was in your wine last night. You’re completely out of it.”
“Yeah, I think I just need food and caffeine.” I pointed to my iced coffee. “I wasted that.”
“Then let’s get lunch. You know I hate eating alone.”
Normally, I would have agreed but today I needed silence and not her random thoughts clouding my own. More than anything I wanted to sit somewhere alone to regroup.
“You go ahead,” I said, grabbing my planner and flipped it open. “I have to finish a few things first.”
Cami rolled her eyes but didn’t push. “Fine, be selfish. You want me to bring you something back?”
“Nope I’m good. Thank you.”
I managed to focus and by late afternoon, I needed a break. I grabbed my bag and dipped out of the office, heading toward the Brewed Bean which was a block away. I just needed five minutes to myself and a caffeine fix but the second I stepped inside something was off.
It was that same feeling I had last night and it didn’t take long to know why. He was here, sitting in a corner booth, coffeein hand, legs set wide in a kingly display like he owned the damn place. And looking right at me.
His expression was amused, like he had been waiting for me. He lifted his cup but kept his eyes locked in like he was preparing for my reaction.
Turn around and walk away. Pretend you don’t recognize him, Baylyn.
Oh hell…
Nope, too easy. My feet betrayed me and I walked right to him. I stopped at the edge of his table, forcing myself to keep my posture confident. Up close, he was even more sexy.
Damn this man is fine, fine…
Dark brown skin, thick brows, that were jet black and matched the beared that covered the lower half of his face. He had a mass of curls and spirals that were organized chaos covering his head with a shadow fade that was clean and tapered low. His expression was cocky like he knew just how damn fine he was. He had enough ink to make me think he was mildly obsessed with tattoos and shit, that smile.
He looked too damn comfortable and relaxed even though I was standing in front of him knowing exactly what he was. A killer, and the only thing I could think to say was, “Are you following me?”
I regretted the words immediately. His smirk deepened, like he found my attempt at confrontation amusing.
“That depends.” His voice was smooth and deeper than I expected.
“On what?”
He took his time setting his coffee down. “Do you want me to be?”
“I don’t know who you are and I don’t care. I just want to be left alone.”
Lies. Lies. Lies.
You want him following you right to your apartment so that you can ride his face, Baylyn…
He knew it and so did I. If I really wanted to be left alone, I wouldn’t have walked over here. He chuckled and the sound vibrated through me in the best and worst ways.
“You sure?” He questioned smugly.
I had completely lost control of this conversation. His eyes landed on me in a way that wasn’t overly intrusive but more like he was cataloging every detail about me.
