Her Shadows, His Secrets

“So what should it be?” I ask

I watch her rack her brain, not being able to think of anything and when she blushes and shrugs, I know she won’t be able to pick one, so I tell her what I already know, what she actually already knows…

“Sirius.”

She snorts. “Like… serious?”

“No, S-I-R-I-U-S.”

She laughs harder, the sound fucking stunning. “You must really like Harry Potter. You put your number in my phone with that name too.”

Smiling inwardly at her choice of words, I shake my head. “No, puppet. The star Sirius. It explains so well what will happen when we do this. It is the brightest and hottest star in the sky. If my touch starts to burn too much and you say that, I’ll know.” We have spent most of the night talking about this arrangement and other things, but she has not fully agreed.

“Yes.”

“Yes?” I want to make sure what she means, double check with her.

“Yes. To the safe word. To everything. I trust you. But you better not be the one person who makes me regret everything again. I won’t be a foolish woman twice, Theo. When this is over, end it the right way. I’m not a pawn. I’m not a joke. I’m a person. You will treat me as such, and that’s my rule.”

Nodding, my lips curve. Her answer shocks me. I was expecting she would ask me more questions or tell me she isn’t sure yet, but just like that, she gives in. Maybe me slapping her ass and her enjoying it showed her a different side to this. “I can do that. You have so much to learn from a real man, Hanna. In time.”

Nodding, she ends there, and we sit in comfortable silence for a bit, her eyes roaming over my covered torso. I can tell she’s wondering what’s underneath and is starving for just a glimpse. But this is only night one. In time.

“We need to finish eating, then I need to get going. I have work early, and you need rest.”

This stuns her. Sitting back, she eyes me. “So we aren’t doing anything tonight?”

Smiling, I shake my head in response. “No, not tonight. You need just a little bit more time with me. You think you’re comfortable, but I need to make sure I feel you are too.”

“I won’t fall in love with you. Trust me.” She stands, taking her seat next to me on the couch.

“I’m counting on that, greens.”

Soon, we finish the food and share one more glass of wine, and then I’m gone. I’m ready for the next time we will meet, and I have just the fucking plan.

CHAPTER TWELVE

HANNA

His touch was electrifying. I felt it from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. It ignited something in me that I didn’t even know I needed—hell, that I wanted. But he was thrilling, and I was aching for more. In fact, I spent almost the entire night thinking about all of it. A knot in my stomach sat heavy, and I couldn’t get it to leave. Until the exhaustion finally made it.

Waking up the next morning, I felt invigorated, even though I lost hours of sleep I should have gotten. Now, I’m working and stocking shelves, trying my hardest not to mess up the price tags, because all I can think about is what this thing is with Theo.

If last night was just a prelude, what will the main scene be?

“Hey? You in there?”

Shaking my head when I hear Brenda, I look to her and see her eyeing me worriedly.

“No, I’m great. Just got a lot on my mind. Sorry. Were you standing here long?” I put down the pricing gun and turn my focus to her.

“I mean I said your name three times before you finally noticed me. I heard you and my brother were at Dean’s last night.” It’s a statement, not a question.

“Yeah, I mean… is that okay? I’ll totally understand if it’s not.”

She waves me off. “Please, as long as you’re happy and okay with it, I have no say in what two adults want to do. But if it goes to hell in a hand basket, I will beat his ass, and you will have to choose me in the divorce.”

I giggle, pushing her shoulder with a roll of my eyes.

“It’s nothing. Just casual. That’s all.”

“Hmm. Casual. Sure. Anyway, I need help this weekend with payroll. Janice is out, and I am swamped. You think you could help me with some office stuff this week?”

“Of course! I’m good with numbers, so hopefully I’ll be your saving grace.”

We both share a laugh. “It’s easy, but with all the other things I need to do, I could just use the extra help. You’re the best! I’ll update your schedule to reflect this, and if you see anything you need changed, let me know.”