Page 32 of Heart Stopping
Sure, English food was uninspiring at times, but it wasn't that bad. After all, who didn't like a pie floating in pea soup, with a side of chips and a glass of Guinness?
"There's no air on the moon for a flag to wave." Archer shrugged. "But the Earth can't be flat or cats would knock everything off."
I laughed out loud at that. "You know what, you're an odd bloke, but you're funny."
"I have an eidetic memory. Sometimes it comes in useful." Archer picked up his phone from the table and started to look at something on the screen. "Is this your gallery? Bonegard’s? Average rating of a bit over four stars. Not too bad." He seemed unimpressed, like the kind of guy who was hard to please, unless it involved hot wax and one of those drawers like they have in the morgue.
Don't ask.
I ate the chocolate off the top of my cappuccino with a spoon and stirred the rest before taking a sip. "Can't say I pay too much attention to online reviews. Art is subjective, so all of that is only opinion anyway. One customer loves the things another customer hates. If I decided everything I did based on shit likethat, I'd never do anything. How fun would that be?" No bloody fun, if you asked me.
"This review says the floor was sticky." Archer's face was expressionless.
"A kid dropped a lollipop," I said. "We've had it cleaned up since."
I'd never known the stickiness from a lollipop to spread as much as it had that day. I could have come all over the floor and made less of a mess. And had more fun.
Figures someone would take the time to leave a review about that. Granted, it was fucking unpleasant. We kept a closer eye on young visitors after that. And any who looked like they might take the chance to come all over the floor. If anyone was going to do that, it was going to be me. Preferably with help from Harlow.
"I'd like to see your gallery," Harlow said.
"Of course you would; you have good taste," I told her.
Now I was going to have to think how to get rid of Archer as quickly as possible so I could show her all the spots that were good for fucking. I had quite a few ideas. She probably had a few of her own.
Once she realized I really wasn't going anywhere, she might open up more and we could try different things. I was patient. She'd be worth it.
"The sooner we go, the sooner we can be done," Archer said as if that wasn't abundantly clear. Maybe we were on the same wavelength after all.
My coffee was a little too hot, but I drank it all down, savoring the way it scalded my esophagus and brought tears to my eyes. I appreciated a bit of pain. It made me feel alive and reminded me of the people I killed. They were dead, I wasn't. I needed to appreciate that more than I did.
"I'll pay," I said. If Archer was going to give Harlow the kind of information I was hoping for, he was doing us a favor. The least I could do was to pay for his coffee.
Before he could argue, I was up and off to the register, leaving a generous tip for the server. Like I always did, because I drank here several times a week at least. They looked after me and I returned the favor. Besides, the coffee here was almost drinkable. That deserved recognition.
I turned around to tell Harlow and Archer to follow me, but they were right behind me. So close I almost bumped into them.
"Getting up close and personal, I see." I grinned.
"Sorry." Harlow put her hands up and stepped back.
"Don't be," I told her. "I like being up close and personal with you." I wanted to kiss her right now, but if I did, I might not be able to stop. I suspected the staff wouldn't appreciate if I sat her on one of the tables and ate her out.
Or would they? We might have to find that out another time. When Archer wasn't lurking nearby, casting the occasional glance at Harlow. He probably thought I didn't notice, but I did. It was obvious to me he had a thing for her. That was fine with me, as long as it didn't get in the way of me and her.
I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door and out onto the street. The buzz of the city immediately ignited a matching buzz through my whole body. You couldn't help noticing it wherever you went. The air was thick with it. Constant motion and energy.
The only time I wasn’t borderline manic was that moment after one of my victims took their last breath. Then, a heavy stillness overtook me, from my toes to the top of my head and deep into my soul. A sense of peace I couldn't get any other way.
It was almost as good as an orgasm.
I led them through the crowds, right up to and inside my gallery.
It was quieter in here, soft music playing through the speakers, lulling people to linger and part with their cash. The air was set to a perfect temperature, a hint of lavender fragrance drifting through. The only thing missing was a small fountain with a tinkle of water. I might have to look into piping that sound through the speakers too. Anything to lull visitors and give them that sense of well-being that kept them here for longer.
I led them into my office and gestured for them to sit on the comfortable leather chairs while I perched on the desk.
Harlow sat back and crossed her legs at her knees, her hands resting in her lap. She looked comfortable, like she belonged here.
