Page 46 of A Wild Darkness

“I guess the only way you can convince me otherwise is to tell me what you think about when you lie in bed at night…” His endless dark pupils widen as he captures my eyes with his. “When only the sound of a low hum echoing through your apartment walls can be heard.”

Lightning shoots up my back, and the thought of Sebastian knowing—taking part—in a moment like that with me is too much after the night we’ve had.

The betrayal of arousal shifts into frustration with myself. “I’m not having this conversation with you.”

With his arms folded over his chest, he shrugs. “Fair enough. I’ll think what I want to think then.”

“Suit yourself.”

Sebastian and I sit elbow to elbow for a few moments before he breaks the silence. “You still want to do this?”

“Yes,” I state, taking another bite of food.

“Don’t get annoyed with me,” he says firmly. “I’m going to ask you every step of the way.”

“I’m sure you will.”

He notices my empty plate and rises to take it to the sink.

“Well…” I yawn, craving relief from his brooding energy. “I think I’m going to head to bed.”

I need to go into work for a bit tomorrow to check in with Noah and Kristine and check the funeral schedule, among countless other things.

“Stevie?” he says my name as I’m leaving the kitchen.

“Hmm?”

“The Annabel name thing turned out well this time, but if we’re going to be partners, I need you to discuss everything with me first.”

Sebastian is right. What we’re doing is no game. People will die, and if I want to make sure it isn’t one of us, then I have to set my own ego aside.

“I know, and I’m sorry,” I admit truthfully. “But I want you to trust me as well.”

A dark shadow moves across Sebastian’s face, hardening his features, sending a chill up my spine. “I don’t really trust or like anyone. Don’t take it personally.”

My breath catches in my throat. It reminds me that he isn’t simply the easygoing, good-looking cousin of my sister’s boyfriend. He’s a dangerous and calculating serial killer who has another side to him.

“I get it.”

“Glad we’re on the same page.”

And with a subtle smile, with danger lurking behind it, I’m almost brought to my knees as the urge to prove myself to him takes over. “I have to head to Nevermore for a few hours tomorrow morning.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, I need to check in and do some admin work.”

Sebastian’s eyes once again find my mouth, but they only focus there for a second before tracing up my jaw and along my cheekbone. “What time?”

“I don’t know. Around eleven, probably.”

“Okay, I’ll follow you over then.”

My eyebrows snap together at his response. “Wait, what? Follow me?”

He nods. “Absolutely. You’re not going anywhere outside this property alone until this project is complete.”

I want to push back, I really do, but I’m exhausted. If he wants to sit outside my mortuary all afternoon while I work, then that’s his decision. “Fine. See you in the morning.”