Summer Cursed
My simple black dress had spaghetti straps and a slit running up my left leg. No embellishments, no frills. I’d twisted my hair into a bun with little curls falling to frame my face, which I’d made-up more than usual. I cleaned up nicely.
“I know,” I said earning a smirk from him that had memories of the bathtub flashing through my mind. “You don’t look half bad yourself, Mr. Fraser.”
His smirk broadened for a second before he took another sip of wine. After we’d finished the soup, the staff came to whisk our bowls away as if they’d been watching us.
“I know you’re not big on conversation, but you invited me here, and I don’t enjoy dining in stoic silence. It’s not good for digestion.”
He made a small grunt that may have been a laugh. “I apologize. I’m used to dining alone or with large groups. I’m not expected to speak much in either situation. What would you like to talk about?”
“Well, I guess we can get business out of the way. Have you spoken to the other women about the chocolates?”
“I’ve reached out to them, but they haven’t responded yet. When they do, I’ll let you know.”
A little bummed I wasn’t getting the answers right away, I nodded as I nibbled my lip.
“Why do you do that?” he asked.
“Do what?”
“Bite your lip like that.” He mimicked me to stress his meaning.
He watched as I ran my tongue around the inside of my lips before licking them. I hadn’t realized I’d been doing it. “I don’t know. It’s been a habit since I was a child. Does it bother you?”
“No. Not at all. I was merely curious, trying to converse.”
“Okay. Well, since you’re so chatty now, why did you invite me here tonight?”
The servers entered the room again, saving him from answering. A petite female laid a plate in front of me that had my mouth watering. I waited until they left to cut into the thick, juicy steak. It was perfectly rare, just the way a shifter in human form likes it. I felt my wolf stir as I slid the first bite into my mouth, she was as happy as me. I often made steak at home, but it was nowhere even close to this good.
A small moan escaped me as I chewed. “This is the best steak I’ve ever had. Kudos to the chef,” I said after I’d swallowed.
He gave me a small smile. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I’ll pass that on.”
He held his wine glass as he watched me take another bite. I used the fine linen napkin to pat at my lips, inwardly cringing when my lipstick left a mark. His attention was making me uncomfortable.
“You’re not eating,” I said.
Without taking his eyes off mine, he lowered his glass, cut off a piece of the meat, and slowly slid it into his mouth. A tiny droplet of blood sat on his lower lip, mesmerizing me. I watched as he licked it off before meeting his eyes again.
“Now you’re not eating.” His voice was low, almost a whisper.
“Right,” I said, picking up my knife and fork to dig in.
Once the staff removed our empty plates, I cleared my throat to get his attention. “You never answered me. Why did you ask me here tonight?”
“I didn’t.”
“Philip said—”
“Philip says a lot of things. He believes he knows what is best for me. Even if I don’t agree.”
I pursed my lips and gave him a curt nod. “I see. I think I’ll be going then.”
I stood so quickly I knocked the chair to the floor. Not wanting his staff to have to pick it up, I did so before walking as fast as I could to the door.
“Ember,” Liam called after me, but I ignored him. He caught up to me, grabbing my arm to turn me around.
The static shock was so intense it felt like a bolt of electricity ran through my arm. It was the last straw. Worry slithered into my stomach as I locked eyes with him. I was starting to think the shocks were from more than the old house.