I nod and ponder that over my sangria. “Yeah, I get that. I guess this is my philosophical streak coming out.” Eileen has so generously accepted me into her world, into these experiences, that it’s impossible to call her selfish.
“You should talk to Morgan about it though,” Eileen says. “She loves philosophy stuff.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I… I think I will.”
Chapter 26
MORGAN
I don’t see Jamie again until we’re about to go on stage. The time apart made the beast furious, but it also increased that inner distance, so my control is solid again.
Jamie seems to be in a good mood, so Eileen did her job.
“Too busy to come shopping?” he teases as I meet him backstage.
“With all the time in the world, I wouldn’t care for it. I knew you’d like it, though. And get on with Eileen. You’re both… gatherer types.”
“Which makes you a hunter?”
“In every sense.” I flash a practiced smile.
“Eileen says she’s going to make you share me now. So, I think it went well.”
The beast bristles, considers snapping Eileen’s throat.
I say, “I’m glad to hear that.”
We go out on stage and take our usual seats. This stage is smaller, his chair a fraction closer. His scent fills my head, working its way down my throat.
I tap the inside edge of the chair as I meander through myprepared answers, precisely timing every pause and hesitation to make my words seem authentic and off-the-cuff.
I don’t really hear what Jamie and the host say when they’re not addressing me.
I catch myself tapping out the letters of his name.
Only the beast shying away from the blinding spotlights preserves the distance I need. The beast is still there, still seething. But I remain in control.
For now, the beast snarls.
As we step backstage, I take a call I would have normally skipped. It’s a good excuse to get some breathing room. Once it’s over, I return to the reception, keeping to the side of the room opposite him. I stand under an air vent for a steady supply of clean air.
When he wanders my way, I head for the bar. He comes for a drink, and I go stand in a bathroom stall for exactly ninety-seven seconds.
He’s clearly seeking me out—but staying subtle, trying to hide it. Or maybe he doesn’t even know how his instincts are moving him.
Either way, I’m even subtler.
I fall into conversation with a local tycoon, chatting about how we can apply his funds to the international lobby, but it only takes half my brain. I can make these deals on autopilot. The other half plans ahead. That ‘next best’ room will not be acceptable tonight.
That stupid room with the stupid hot tub and that stupid bed and his scent filling my brain and my claws in the mattress and—
“Hunter, everything alright?” asks the tycoon.
A little smile comes to my lips. “Sorry, I got some fresh data this morning. Something just clicked about the new formula.”
