Page 111 of Lured By Shadows

Luckily, Culver reacted instantly and caught me by the waist. I hummed in satisfaction, leaning into him for comfort. My mind blazed with confidence, so I continued.

“Who wouldn’t wanna fuck Culver Scarbrough?” I puffed my cheeks, glaring at Rupert. “Your games are stupid, Rupert.”

I smacked my hands against Culver’s chest while he looked down at me with astonishment and partial amusement. Rupert, on the other hand, started frowning.

“Ridiculous,” he muttered. “She’s hammered, brother.”

“That is because you asked for a triple-shot.” Culver inhaled, sniffing me lightly. “We shall talk about this later. Until then, I should see her home to rest.”

“We’ve hardly had the chance—”

Culver glared at Rupert. “You have already done enough. Now, if you will excuse us.”

I yelped in surprise as Culver picked me up bridal style without any effort.

“Apologies, Ira. I just know you tend to be a bit clumsy.”

His body was electrifying, as always, but it was the way he held me close that mattered more.

My mind raced with ideas, but it was also embarrassed over how I’d acted in front of them all, basically declaring my intentions with Culver out loud.

At least I didn’t spill everything…

My eyes fluttered up toward him. “Sorry…”

He kept walking, one brow lifting slightly in question.

“I have told you before. There is never any reason for you to apologize, but do tell… what are you apologizing for?”

“‘Cause I ruined our day… we were supposed to hang out,” I murmured, taking hold of his jacket and fiddling with the button. “I just don’t like how he’s so… mean. I’m not a pet, am I?”

My eyes blinked slowly, trying to stay focused on him.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he settled me down onto the bumper of his sleek car. I wiggled slightly against the cold surface, the chill seeping through my jeans and grounding me.

His hand rose to caress my cheek, and I nuzzled instinctively into the touch, the feverish heat of my skin cooling against his icy fingers.

“No. I would never and have never considered you as such. Rupert can be a bit…” His eyes averted momentarily. “Tactless. I will be sure to scold him for his behavior toward you.”

“Culv,” I whispered, my heart beating rapidly. “Am I a burden to you?”

“Why would you even assume that?” He tilted his head slightly. “My little lamb, you have such a creative imagination. Your thoughts run rampant inside that beautiful head of yours, and you come up with the wildest concepts. No, you are not a burden. Now, is there anything else you need to ask?”

My eyes searched his expression. So soft. So kind.

Culver was always too kind to me. How long would that kindness last?

Blinking slowly, I shook my head. I wasn’t going to unload every insecurity I had in one night. “No, I’m ready to get home.”

As he settled me into the car, he turned the heat up for me. The warmth instantly made my eyes close in contentment.

Culver felt safe to me in a way that made absolutely no sense, especially since I knew damn well nobody in their right mind would call him that. Everyone around him kept warning me he was trouble. I’d seen him lose his temper in ways that should’ve scared me off for good.

But deep down, I truly believed he’d never turn that danger on me, even if I probably should’ve been concerned for the other people involved with him.

By the time I opened my eyes again, he was parked in my driveway.

I sluggishly removed my seatbelt and reached for the car door, but he was already there, pulling it open.