Page 31 of Into The Darkness
“Don’t hate me, but do you think you could run upstairs to the business section and stick this book where it belongs?”
I chuckled. “Of course.” I was honestly grateful for the distraction. It was a reprieve from whatever was happening in my life. This was the most connection I’d had in a while to my pre-Isles self. This place was pushing me to become a different person.
Climbing the mahogany staircase that twisted its way to the library’s upper floor, I stole occasional glances outside, where rain and mist had transformed the day. Regret gnawed at me for choosing the bus, swayed by earlier sunshine, only to be met with this somber change in weather.
As I maneuvered between bookshelves, the library’s depth seemed to mirror my own contemplation. A flash of lightning outside momentarily distracted me, intensifying my vexation with the unpredictable weather.
“Zeta, Zelphina . . .” I muttered, fingers tracing the spines in search of a specific author’s work so I could figure out where this book went. Frustration simmered beneath the surface as I navigated the rows, my mind preoccupied.
Then, a voice, simultaneously unwelcome and oddly magnetic, disrupted my thoughts.
“Hey, neighbor.” I’d recognize his voice anywhere—the voice that had stirred a tumultuous mix of emotions within me.
“Ash,” I whispered breathlessly.
My quick turn revealed him perched at a nearby desk, a figure of unexpected significance against the library’s subdued backdrop. His gaze locked onto mine, and a current of recognition passed between us, hinting at a history neither of us could escape.
“Working, huh?” he asked, a nod toward my nametag. Suppressing a sigh, his gaze amplified my self-consciousness.
“I am surprised you didn’t already know that, seeing how you seem to always know my whereabouts,” I quipped, my arms folding across my chest. His lip had a bruise on it that looked fresh, but I figured it was best not to say anything.
“Remember, you were the one seeking me out last night,” he retorted, an amused glint in his eyes that infuriated and intrigued me.
“I didn’t know you were a member of the Den,” I responded, then shoved the book my boss had given me into its rightful place. “I was just finishing my shift.” Then I pivoted on my heel to make my exit.
Before I could take a step, his arm encircled my waist from behind in a sensual embrace that drew me closer to his warmth. There it was—pine forest. I took a deep breath.
“Tell me you’re not absolutely thrilled to see me?” His voice dripped with playful insinuation. I met his gaze, a mixture of incredulity and amusement dancing in my eyes, before the sound of laughter bubbled out of me. My mirth echoed in the library’s hushed ambiance, and I threw my hand over my lips to stifle it, conscious of the need to maintain decorum in the surroundings.
“Happy? No.”
A subtle curl at the corner of his mouth hinted that my response had only deepened his interest. His gaze traced downward, absorbing the details of my attire. I had chosen a denim skirt and a skin-hugging turtleneck that accentuated my curves. A carefully selected vest hinted at allure while leaving room for imagination.
You look fucking edible, he mouthed, pushing my back against the stacks. “So innocent.”
In that moment, I was obsessed with how he drank me in, feeding my curiosity in all the right ways. His chest heaving as he swallowed me whole with his eyes.
“What are you—”
“Shh.” He pressed his finger to my lips.
Leaning down, he whispered in my ear, “Tell me, Ember Solis, when you came to the Den and saw all of those people fucking, were you curious?” I stifled a gasp. I couldn’t believe he said that. Well, that wasn’t true, everything out of Ash Ortiz’s mouth was fucking unbelievable.
“Did it make you think about the first time your pretty little pussy would get fucked?”
His words dripped with an air of presumption. Little did he realize, his assumption granted me a flicker of self-assuredness. I wrapped my arms around his neck, drawing him closer.
“Surprise, surprise.” I mused, as if divulging my most clandestine secret.
A flicker of shock danced in his eyes, giving way to an amused smirk. “Well, well, Ember. Looks like there’s more to you than meets the eye. A hidden darkness yearning to break free.” He paused. “Let it out.” His thumb and forefinger grazed my chin, tilting my head to meet his gaze. “But you’ve yet to answer my question. Are you curious?”
My thoughts raced as his other hand traced circles along the hem of my skirt, the anticipation of him possibly lifting it sending a shiver down my spine. My breath hitched, and the intensity of the moment hung thick in the air, pressed against the stacks in the library, vulnerable to anyone who might wander by.
This was far more than I’d ever experienced before. I hooked up with someone in high school, but it was just kinda in and out. It felt very scientific and stiff. This interaction was sending a shiver of thrill down my spine. He was right, I was desperate and curious for him.
His shoulders, commanding and strong, radiated a captivating allure, his skin exuding a warm, sun-kissed glow, even on the gloomiest days. His eyes, heavy-lidded and locked onto mine, held an unspoken promise that ignited a fierce connection between us.
“Tell me, mi sol.” His voice, once smooth as silk, now held a demanding tone. This was a man who knew what he wanted and was unapologetically determined to pursue it.
