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Annie gasps and leaps forward, wrapping her arms around him. “Oh, my word! Gerald! We’ve missed you down here. Everyone wonders what happened and all, the time you were here. How are you?”
“I go by Gold now.” He says and pats her back awkwardly. “I’m good, thanks, Annie. You look well.”
She steps back, and I notice she’s wiping her eyes. I frown, looking between them. I was expecting surprise, but not outright joy.
Gold shuffles nervously, glancing at me so quick that I almost miss it.
I spot Acton and call out to him, grabbing Annie’s arm.
“Meet Acton.” Payback is a bitch, big man.
Annie pulls against me, but I drag her forward and into the house, leading her straight into the glass room. I give her a moment, and when her attention snares on the chandelier, she gasps.
“Turns out the giant scary man is a big, soft artist.”
Annie twists her head to look at me. “We could sell these in the store. People would love them. You have to introduce me!” Annie demands.
“Miss Waring. What do you think you are doing?”
Taylor’s voice cuts through our conversation with a cold authority that makes Annie shrink back. I step forward to meet him. I smile at Taylor, wide and full of teeth. I’m not backing down from this. “Helping, as per our arrangement.”
His eyes narrow. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Should’ve put it in fine print.” I snap at him and spot Acton.
Annie quails next to me, curling in on herself under Acton, Gold, and Taylors stares. I step partially in front of her and let out a rumble.
“This is a close friend of my family and Golds.” I challenge him.
His eyes glitter, but he ends up inclining his head. “Welcome to our home, Ms Annie.”
“Oh, please, call me Annie. Just Annie.”
“Annie. Would you care to stay for dinner?” Taylor asks, but his eyes are still fixed on me.
“Uh, um-“
“Stay Annie, Acton and Bar can discuss options for selling or displaying their art in town for the festival.”
Bar bounces between the alphas. “Festival?”
“Oh, no, I can’t! Maybe some other time, perhaps?” Annie stutters, but she smiles at Bar. And really, who wouldn’t?
I stand back as he grabs Annie, and Acton and drags them off. Gold gives me a dark look and follows them.
Jet stays in the room for a moment, but at a glance from Taylor, he sighs heavily, glances once at me, and disappears.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach, but I stand tall as Taylor advances on me. He stops about a foot away and inhales deeply. The scent of rain thickens in the air around us, and he growls. Low, deep, and almost inaudible.
It’s so deadly.
It’s so hot.
Goosebumps break out on my skin as he lifts his hand slowly. I know I can move, but it feels like another challenge, and I refuse to lose to him. He wraps his hand around my nape and pulls me until I’m pressed against him, my hands on the hard planes of his chest.
“Bad girl.”
I tense and jut my jaw, trying to ignore the fact my panties are soaking. Just from two words and a growl. I’m alarmed at my response to him, but I’m frozen, unable to move. Taylor is something else. He’s me at my worst.
