Page 163 of Black Light: Cured

know in a few weeks. Will that suffice?”

My heart screams at me that anything more than a day is far too long to be away from Lila, but it

also gives me time to work on the other part of my gift for her. “Two weeks is all I can give you. I bid

you, gentlemen, a good afternoon.”

CHAPTER 23

L ila

MY SHOULDERS BURN AS I STRETCH THEM OUT. SATURDAYS ARE ALWAYS THE HARDEST DAY FOR ME, AND

since Aiden left, they’ve gotten even worse. Perhaps I should just leave Black Light. There’s nothing

here for me anymore. Packing up the table, I shuffle my way to the closet, and pause as I see Klara

waiting in front.

“Hey, any chance you can do a huge favor for me?”

My heart sinks as I look at her earnest face. There’s no way I’m going to be able to say no. I

already know this. “What do you need?”

“Master Dillon wanted me to have you come up to the main stage. He was going to do a rope

scene, but the bottom chickened out. Besides Charlie, there’s no one else that can do it.”

For the first time since that stupid letter, I feel a slight stirring. Not sexually or romantically but

knowing that I can just drift away and feel nothing for a few blessed minutes is alluring.

“Sure. Just let me get everything put away.”

Klara squeals and claps her hands. “Excellent!”

Watching her practically vibrating with joy, I have to laugh and shake my head. It takes me no time

at all to put everything away and strip out of my scrubs before making my way to the stage. Since I’m

not here to play sexually, I’ve forgone my normal lacy ensemble and opt to stay in my sports bra and

sensible cotton panties.

Glancing up, I expect to see Master Dillon going through his normal rigging checklist, but instead,

it’s Aiden. My heart thumps so hard I feel like it’s about to explode out of my chest.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” My strident voice echoes in my ears as everyone stops and

looks at us.

I didn’t mean to say that out loud, but now that I have, there’s no taking it back. Aiden stares at

me, his eyes shining just a bit in the lights. There’s no way he’s tearing up. Not someone like him—

cold and stoic. He’s more suited to sarcasm and wit to cover up his true feelings. “Lila, I—”