Read Tell Me No Lies: The Black Orchid, Book 1 for Free Online Page B

eyes. “I was just wondering what you see when you look at me.”
    Did she see the blackness? Death? Murder? Evil? Sometimes I could barely look at myself in the mirror. How could she bear to look at me?
    She pulled back at arms-length and gazed at me for a long moment. “I see a good man. My instincts are usually spot on, especially when it comes to men.”
    My heart melted, just a bit. Perhaps she could see the tiny part of me struggling to live. When I looked into her eyes, all I saw reflected there was sincerity. She believed what she was saying. I believed she could save me.
    “What else does your intuition tell you about me?” I held my breath, waiting for her to reveal me for the evil, lying bastard I was.
    She continued to stare at me, until a tender expression crossed her face. “I think that I could trust my heart with you.” She looked down, her cheeks coloring to a warm pink. “Such a silly thing to say to a man I’ve just met.”
    A warm, protective feeling filled my chest. “It’s only silly if the man does not return your feelings. And I do.”
    She pressed her face against my chest. “You’re too sweet.”
    If you only knew.
    I didn’t deserve her, after all the dirt I’d done. But I only held her tighter. Even when the music picked up tempo, we stayed in the same position, swaying to the beat.
    “I’m leaving tomorrow,” she whispered to my chest.
    I wondered if she could feel my heart pounding. I didn’t want her to leave. I didn’t want to leave. Not yet. We’d only just met. I hadn’t even kissed her lips yet. Something crazy and irrational coiled inside of me.
    I wanted to ask her if she believed in love at first sight. I wanted to know if she felt the same weird, crazy feeling inside that I did. But I didn’t. I’d just look stupid.
    “I’m meant to go to Spain tomorrow, but I can spare a few days. Can you?”
    She turned her head to me, her eyes shimmering in the moonlight. “Maybe. I don’t know. I mean, I’m supposed to go to New York. Registration begins soon. But I’d like to—” Laughter sputtered out of her. “Yes, I can stay. I can do what I want.”
    My chest expanded in relief. “I’ll find us a place. Don’t worry, I’ll make all of the arrangements.”
    She pulled away from me then. “I’m worried about Charlotte. I should check on her.”
    I held her hand, reluctant to let go. “Of course. I’ll meet you in your lobby at 11 a.m.?”
    She rose on her toes and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. Satiny flesh pressed against the stubble on my jawline. Bubbles of pleasure lifted in my stomach and sailed through my chest. It felt like nothing I’d ever felt before.
    I stood where I was and watched her step onto the elevator. When I saw the elevator moving up, I moved toward the set of glass doors. And saw Luke.
    He was sitting in a corner reading a magazine. He stood up, removed his red baseball cap and shoved it into the back pocket of his jeans.
    “Aw, you two look so sweet. How was prom night? Did you win prom king? Didja kiss the prom queen?”
    I pressed my hand against his chest and pushed him out of the lobby. “What are you doing here, Luke?”
    His lips twisted. “What are you doing here?”
    I looked around, made sure no one I knew could see me and with both hands shoved him as hard as I could with both hands. Laughing, he stumbled backwards but caught himself.
    “Hey! I just wanted to thank you for the gift.”
    “What gift?”
    “The China doll. She’s staying with me tonight in case you were wondering.”
    I wasn’t wondering, but still… “Don’t hurt her, Luke.”
    He laughed. “She wants me to hurt her. And I will certainly oblige our China doll. But I won’t cause any serious damage if that’s what you mean.”
    “Just use a safe word.”
    He snorted. “What about you, loverboy?”
    “What about me?”
    “Do you want the lovely Miss Rain to get hurt?”
    “Of course not.” I felt my hands curl into tight fists. “Why? You