Free Darken (Siege #1) by Angela Fristoe Page A

I’ve done.”
    He grasped her hand, slowing her until she stopped and glared up at him with defiance that did little to conceal the hurt she attempted to hide beneath it.
    “I know you better than you think.” He pressed a finger to her lips when she would have protested. “Five. You are an amazing artist, but don’t have the confidence to pursue it. Four. Your move to Denver was less about the job than about running away.
    He tugged her closer and dipped his head down to whisper in her ear. “Three. You love the feel of my breath on your skin.”
    She shivered in response and his tongue peeked out to moisten the sensitive spot below her ear.
    “Two. You want me.”
    He covered her lips with his, and she let his tongue slip inside. The flavor of the Bahama Mamas had lingered, blending with the sweet taste that was Cora. It also served to remind him that she’d had way too much to drink. He broke the contact of their mouths and rested his forehead against hers.
    “One. You would do anything for your friends.”
    Her hands, which at some point had snuck between them and curled into his shirt, now shoved him away.
    “That just proves how you don’t know me,” she said. She wobbled a moment before steadying herself and crossed the street. They passed the bookstore and she opened a door in serious need of a new paint job. “This is my place.”
    “So which one are you denying?”
    “I’m not denying any of them.” She went into the small foyer and glanced back at him. “I would have done anything for Lela. I’d never have done anything to hurt her.”
    “I know.”
    “Yet, you think I killed her,” she accused.
    He stepped up and gripped the sides of the door frame. “I think you made a stupid mistake. Driving drunk—”
    She pushed his chest again, cutting him off.
    “Well … screw you,” she yelled. “I wasn’t driving.”
    Her words were a fist to his chest, slamming the air from his lungs.

 
    Chapter Six
    CORA TRUDGED UP THE narrow staircase, ensuring she kept a firm grasp on the railing as the steps seemed to waver under her feet. When she got to the top, she glanced back down to see Gavin standing frozen in the entryway to the building.
    The dim light in the foyer lit up his blond-streaked hair but cast long shadows across his face, concealing his features. She wasn’t certain she wanted to see him. She wanted to sleep until she was strong enough to forget the sensation of his lips on hers.
    “Good night, Gavin,” she said and entered her apartment, quietly closing the door behind her.
    She made her way across the living room area and flopped onto the couch, exhaustion finally hitting her. What had possessed her to go out? She should have vegged out in front of the TV and caught up on Criminal Minds episodes. Now, she was going to suffer the hangover from hell.
    Lifting a leg high into the air, she ran her hand along the smooth black leather. She adored those boots. They made her three inches taller and were sexy as hell. She pulled down the zipper and undertook the task of wiggling her foot out. She’d managed to get the left one off when there was a knock on the door. Maybe she would ignore it. Then again, she couldn’t remember locking the door. With one boot still on, she hobbled toward the door.
    Gavin didn’t wait for her. He’d flung the door open, stepped inside, and slammed it shut before she even made it halfway across the room. A scowl wrinkled her face as she tried forming some sort of reprimand about knocking, but he did knock and she couldn’t come up with anything else.
    “What the fuck do you mean, you weren’t driving?” His voice was deceptively soft. She recognized the anger and confusion in his hard eyes. “I came to you. I asked you to explain what happened. You told me you were driving.”
    “No. You said I was. Forget it. Don’t listen to me. I’m drunk,” she said and stumbled back to the couch.
    Why didn’t she listen to Josh when he told her the drinks