Page 29 of Below The Surface
We pass the table of four and there’s a hint of roses. I cock a brow and take in all four of their faces while Cindy’s eyes plead for me to take the guys out. I give her the most subtle of nods. Is it a coincidence that these guys are here and smelling of roses while we’re trying to figure out who’s stalking Dallas, smelling of roses? Curiouser and curiouser is all I got. But… maybe they really do run a flower shop. That would explain their scent.
Dallas doesn’t say anything about smelling roses, so I don’t think he got a whiff of the guys. We walk right next to the Steve’s Flower Shop truck on the way out. Because I’ve lost my damn mind, I turn on the Find My app and gently slide my phone down behind the tool case in the truck’s bed. Dallas is already several feet ahead of me and almost to my car, so he doesn’t notice me being weird as fuck.
I skip my way next to his side and grab his hand, like I’ve done all day. He’s got a nice hand and I like the way mine feels in his. I’ve never had that before. Kendra is the only person that’s truly made me feel safe to be me. But Dallas is coming up as a close second. Maybe I’m slowly losing my damn mind. Who the hell latches on to someone after lots of fucking and a bit of an adventure? I know better for crying out loud!
“Everything okay over there?” Dallas asks from the other side of my car. I must have zoned out on our little walk.
“Yeah, just need a nap.” I fake another yawn and we climb into my car. “Ate too much and I’m paying for it. So sweepy.” The next yawn isn’t fake.
“I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Nah, we have a guest room, but you’re welcome in mine anytime you wanna fuck.” I wink and we’re on the road again. He just snorts and shakes his head. I’m not really feeling music, so I turn the radio down. “What do you do for fun? Aside from the gym stuff.”
“I like to paint.” Dallas’s cheeks are pink when I glance over at him for a few seconds.
“That’s cute. I like working on my costumes. I buy most all of my mer gear like the tails and crown and other silicone accessories, but the jewelry I make. Ken styles our wigs and sparkle-fies them.”
“That’s not a word.”
“It is in the dictionary of Kay.”
“Oh, you have a dictionary now. You could have said so sooner.”
I roll my eyes. “You assumed I didn’t, so now you know. What kind of painting do you do?”
“I like to experiment, but I usually stick to water color landscapes.”
“Ever paint fish?”
“No, but that could be fun. Underwater scapes. I never even thought about that. The possibilities are endless, though. Land, sea, sky. I’m not overly creative.” He snorts, and it feels self deprecating.
“It’s okay. Paint me a waterscape and that’ll be payment for finding your stalker. But I’m serious, you don’t have to do anything. I’m happy to help.”
Dallas shakes his head. “No, this is good. I hate the idea of you doing it for free. I’ll paint you something.”
“That sounds lovely. Thank you.” I swear my heart feels warm and fuzzy. I scratch my chest as if I can feel the sweetness inside.
We fall silent for the rest of the ride, and I don’t hate it. Usually, I want sound at all times unless I’m trying to sleep. Silence means too much time to think. I like thinking, but not too much thinking. Not thinking about the past. Not thinking about Dorian.
“Uh, Kay?” Dallas shakes my arm and I face him at the stoplight.
“Yeah?”
“You okay? You got all quiet and keep making faces. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Everything is fine. Nothing to worry about. Just need a nap.”
Right on cue he yawns again.
“And we’re home sweet, my home.” I park and we stagger out from the car. I feel like there’s been so much driving today. Just go, go, go. But it’s not time to stop. No, I have a flower shop to infiltrate and need to grab my phone before they notice it. I’m sure it slid out from where I stashed it. Not like they can get into it unless they’re good hackers, too.
I don’t even try anything in the elevator, and Dallas eyes me the entire time. I just give him a sweet, innocent look. He walks behind me and yawns.
He grabs my arm before we get to my door. Before I know it, he has me pinned against my door. His mouth is on mine and I want to melt into him. Want to beg him to fuck me right here. But I have a job to do and he needs to be out like a light.
“Cameras,” I croak out and point to the one in the corner. “You don’t like having an audience.”
He snorts against my lips, but lets me go. I lick my lips to savor the taste of him. I unlock the door. Kendra’s at the couch, furiously typing away. Her brows scrunch and I rush over to her.
