Page 31 of Tethered to the World
She debated whether go after him or call his bluff, but as he disappeared inside the store, she realized he wasn’t joking.
Son of a bitch.
She hurried after him, just imagining the outfits he would pick out. She caught up with him in time to see him turn, walking backwards to admire a group of girls in skimpy outfits. If they wiggled their asses any harder their cracks would consume the little scrap of fabric some idiot called shorts. Although they didn’t seem to care they were exposing themselves, if the way their breasts were falling out of their shirts was any indication.
When she finally caught up with the bastard, Logan was standing off to the side, his arms crossed, his hated smirk back in place as he waited for her. “We’ll go to the top floor first. That’s where all the good stuff is.”
An hour later, she’d learned when he said good stuff, he meant expensive.
“No,” she said for the hundredth time.
He gave her an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This would go a lot faster if you would just let me have my way.”
She lifted her brows at his audacity. “I won’t let you dress me up like some clown.”
He actually looked offended, stepping in front of her and lifting her chin with a single finger. “How about we make a deal?”
Warmth tingled at the spot where he touched her. His winter scent had her inching forward for more, and it was all she could do to stand her ground. She cleared her throat, hoping it would help clear her mind as well.
It didn’t.
“What kind of deal?” She wasn’t sure if she was more curious or leery. He dropped his smirk, the hardened man from this morning returning, and she relaxed slightly. For some reason she liked this version of him better.
He leaned down until his forehead almost touched hers, his voice a low, intimidating whisper. “How about we don’t bullshit each other? Trust me with the clothes, and I’ll always tell you the truth.”
She tipped her head to the side as she studied him, his crystal blue eyes like shards of hard ice. “No more bullshit. When we’re alone, I want the man in front of me, not the act you give the rest of the world.”
He reared back slightly, like she’d just grabbed his balls and twisted them. A muscle in his cheek ticked as he ground his teeth. He was clearly waiting for her to back down, but she wouldn’t. Then a spark warmed his eyes, and a cruel smile twisted his lips. “Only if you promise me the same. No lies. No subterfuge. No more running.”
Annora swallowed hard, her smug sense of victory fading. He clearly expected her to reject his offer, but she couldn’t stand to see him go back to hiding behind the asshole exterior he was so good at portraying to others. She made a face at him, then sighed. “Deal.”
He lurched back, his eyebrows climbing, clearly surprised by her capitulation. He studied her for a moment longer, then his shoulders relaxed, and he finally nodded to himself. “Let’s get out of here.”
She smiled and nodded, more than ready to leave the hordes of people behind. Though the rich stores were more spacious than the others, the place was still way too people-y for her tastes. They had just turned to leave when a woman with bright red hair caught sight of them.
Her brown eyes seemed to shimmer with what looked like flames. She switched directions with a smile, her pointed teeth revealing she was more than human. A group of five women scrambled to follow after her like lost puppies.
Her smile wasn’t directed at Annora, her sole focus centered on Logan.
Annora glanced at him, but he appeared frozen, his face pale, his eyes going dead as he watched her approach, freezing like a mouse being stalked by a feline. The girl’s skimpy skirt showed off her legs. She was fit, tall and willowy, her skin pale and flawless, her wavy red hair so lush she was stunning.
A perfect mirror of Logan.
Everything Annora was not.
But where Logan was all controlled violence, this woman oozed malicious pleasure.
Annora recognized it because her uncle behaved the same way.
“Logan.” The girl’s voice was smooth, almost husky, and Logan bowed his head toward her as if she was a fucking queen.
“Ellora.” He spoke crisply, completely controlled, betraying nothing.
Instead of respecting hisget the fuck away from meattitude, she sauntered up to him with a smile. “I’ve missed you.” She leaned forward, her lips brushing against his, then she nipped at his bottom lip. When she back away, she licked away a drop of blood, seemingly pleased at the way he stood so obediently before her.
She played with the buttons of his shirt, but Annora saw the way her nails sharpened, then cut into his chest, leaving behind thin trails of blood. “I can’t wait for you to come home from your silly games. It’s not the same without you.”
Darkness swelled inside Annora, filling her eyes until she noticed Ellora and her entourage were foxes…but different. They were the same as Logan. She blinked away the vision, self-perseveration urging her to back away and not draw attention to herself, but she couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away from the streaks of blood soaking into Logan’s shirt.
