Chapter 23
Chapter
Twenty-Three
I don’t know how I kept my cool in there. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to slap someone so much in my life. I cannot believe that he thinks I followed him down here. I cannot believe that he accused me of stalking him. My anger turns to frustration when I realise that I never even got to enjoy my iced coffee. I have a client this afternoon and that was my one-hour window to have a break.
I unlock the door to the studio, I’m grateful that Eric and his wife trust me enough to leave me alone in my first week. They are both off doing a location shoot in a zoo for a few days for some local wildlife magazine. They had taken on a few shoots this week knowing that I was going to be here, and I’ve taken on two boudoir shoots, one for tonight and one tomorrow.
I shake off thoughts of Wrath, choosing to focus on what I need to do for the shoot. Heading into my studio I flip on the wall lights testing out the lighting, the shoot is for a woman who wants to surprise her boyfriend with some sexy images. She’s hoping to get him here to do a couple session and thinks that when she shows him the photos from her solo one it might convince him.
I’m grabbing some sheets out of the sideboard when I’m startled by a noise.
I quickly spin around and inhale a sharp breath when I see Wrath standing in the doorway. My heart begins to race and I for a split second I think I’m afraid.
But then my anger rises to the surface, I throw the sheets on the top of the unit and storm toward him.
“What the hell are you doing here Wrath? This isn’t exactly staying away from me. Get the hell out.” I place my hands on his chest trying to push him out of the door but he’s too heavy and doesn’t budge, not even a millimetre. I look up at him, his eyes are laser focused on mine, his pupils are so large it makes his brown eyes look almost black. I begin to take a small step back, but his large hands grab my wrists so tight it hurts. I wince slightly but he doesn’t even notice.
He pushes me back a little and then spins me and slams my back against the wall. I’m stunned momentarily and my breath catches in my throat. A second later and my senses are on overdrive, I’m angry and irritated. But there’s more. Standing here like this, trapped against the wall, the look on his face.
I’m turned on. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Wra…” His lips are suddenly on mine, cutting me off mid-sentence. He’s so forceful, my head pushes against the wall, as he wraps his hand around both of my wrists, his other hand moving to my neck, his fingers squeezing just a little.
There’s too much going on, too many sensations my brain can’t focus. Briefly forgetting his lips are on mine I open my mouth to try and pull in some air, but he uses this opportunity to push his tongue into my mouth.
I don’t hesitate, my tongue tussles with his, fighting for control, our teeth clash, the kiss is frenzied. I don’t know which one of us needs this more. His fingers squeeze even tighter, and then everything stops as quick as it starts.
He takes a step back, his eyes roam over my face, his chest heaves with every breath that he takes. And then his face changes, a wave of emotions crosses over it.
Pain, confusion, shock.
“What the…” he whispers, more to himself than me.
“Wrath?” I question taking a step toward him, but he shakes his head taking a step back.
“Stop. What the fuck are you doing to me? I need to stay away from you.” He doesn’t wait for me to say anything, he just spins on his heels and rushes out the door.
My breath heaves as I lean back against the wall.
I have no idea what just happened, I’d seen the emotions waring in his eyes before he’d kissed me. But when he pulled back, he looked shocked, annoyed even. It wasn’t what I expected to see. I give myself a few minutes to get my breathing under control before going back to set up the room.
The shoot took longer than I thought it would, so by the time I leave the studio and lock up, it’s late and dark outside. My stomach grumbling reminds me that I’ve not eaten anything since breakfast this morning. Knowing that I won’t be able to sleep properly on an empty stomach I decide to quickly run over to the supermarket to grab something, but as I make it across into the car park, I see a row of six bikes parked outside. It doesn’t take me long to spot the prospect standing beside them having a smoke. He turns to look inside the shop, and I stop dead in my tracks when I see the Soulless Knights logo on the back.
“Fuck,” I curse out.
I guess this must be their side of town too, which is fucking inconvenient giving that I live just around the corner. I’m not afraid of Wrath, or at least I don’t think I am, but I really don’t want to be yelled at inside the damn shop for daring to shop here. I shake my head deciding that my hunger is not worth the drama, I quickly turn and leave before they can see me.
I only live ten minutes from the supermarket, but I’m on edge for the entire walk home. It feels like I’m being watched, but every time I look around, I see nothing.
By the time I make it to the front door of the block of flats, I’m a bundle of frayed nerves, the hunger I felt has now been replaced with a sickly feeling. Rushing up the stairs to the fourth floor I’m relieved when I don’t see any of my neighbours, while none of them have said or done anything, they are a little intimidating and do seem to watch my every move.
I make it inside my flat, quickly locking the door and then entering the kitchen and grabbing a large glass of water. I need a damn drink. I throw my keys onto the kitchen counter, shucking off my jacket before making my way into the bathroom. I may not have any food in, but I do have wine, which I intend to drink right after a hot shower.