Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,60
instincts were telling me not to make any sudden movements.
“Jamie?” I whispered, trying my best not to startle him. I slid to the edge of the bed. The slow movement drew his attention. His gaze lifted from the floor until it reached me. Tentatively, I reached out. He recoiled by stepping out of my reach.
“Don’t touch me.” His voice was harsh, and the words stung.
Refusing to let my hurt show, I masked my face and dropped my hand in my lap. Why did I do this to myself again? Yes, I'd practically thrown myself at him, but he'd kissed me! Was I delusional to think he wanted this as much as I did?
The sting of his rejection seeded deep before it sprouted a life of its own. Its roots and vines ripped their way through me before tearing me apart from the inside out. It was painful and suffocating and I couldn’t stand to be in his presence any longer. I got to my feet and stiffly walked around him toward the door. He didn’t try to stop me.
By the time I made it to my bedroom, I was feeling claustrophobic in this big house. I wanted to run away. I’d proven to be good at it, but I knew it wouldn’t solve any of my problems. I needed to find a different way to deal.
Scooping up my cell from my nightstand, I hit the home button. The screen lit up, showing me that it was just after six on a Friday night. I was going out.
CHAPTER 19
It wasn’t until I was out of the shower that I noticed the new cluster of bags sitting on my couch. I peeked in one and found an abundant number of tampons, pads, and panty liners. In the other bags, I found silky pajama sets, athletic wear, and everything a girl would need in her bathroom from makeup to hair accessories to irons.
Stefan had made sure I had everything I'd said I needed and then some. Was this his way of apologizing?
I grabbed some of the makeup and the iron before returning to the bathroom. Smearing on enough concealer to hide the bruises on my face, I went with dark colors around my green eyes, making them pop. I put wavy curls in my blood-red hair and pinned it all to one side.
The dress I chose to wear was burgundy and skin tight with long sleeves and cut off at mid-thigh. The back was jaw dropping. It was backless, exposing my entire spine and shamrock tattoo. The dress was sexy as hell. However, it had a flaw. I couldn’t wear any underwear. Panty lines ruined the allure.
I put on a new pair of Louboutin black lace peep-toe pumps and stuffed my phone, ID, and credit cards into a wristlet. With car keys in hand, I made my way downstairs to the control room where I knew at least one goon would be stationed. Stefan’s rule was I couldn’t go anywhere without security. Fine. I was going to do exactly that.
The control room was near the garage. The door was slightly ajar and I could hear voices inside as I approached. Pushing the door open, I stepped into the small room. Josh was sitting in a swivel desk chair with his back to a wall of monitors surveilling different areas of the house and property. On the opposite side of the room was a huge gun cage. Leaning against it was the grumpy Dean. They both stopped talking when they noticed me.
Glancing from one to the other, I wondered, Which one will be the most entertaining? My gaze landed on Dean. “Come on, Grumpy. You’re coming with me. Stefan’s orders.”
They exchanged a look with each other before Dean pushed off the wall and followed me out. Obediently, he walked behind me through the rest of the house to the garage. Passing the many sleek and expensive cars, I hit the unlock button on my key fob as we came upon my little Audi. I tilted my head toward the passenger side. “Get in.”
Planting his feet on the ground, he eyed me with suspicion. “Where are we going?”
“I'm not allowed to leave the house without security and I’m craving gummy worms,” I lied, opening my car door to get in.
He stayed rooted in place, clearly having an internal debate under his pissed off exterior.
Losing my patience, I poked my head out of the car and snapped, “We’ll be right back. Just get in the car.”