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Book Two in the Darien Grace Chronicles
"I couldn't hear the music. I knew that it was pulsing all around me, I could feel it vibrate through the air, but I couldn't hear it. I hadn't been able to hear it for a while now. I ju...
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Darien Grace
"Who says it has to end?" I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, swaying slightly in my five inch heels. I could not believe I said that. I blamed the last bottle of champagne. And the suit. Damn the suit. Suits and champagne shouldn't be allowed to mix. Especially when said suit was tailored to perfection. The rich fabric and skillful lines followed every contour of his body. My eyes skimmed over him, head to toe, lingering far longer than proper on the expert fit of his pants. When I finally met his eyes once more, curiosity curled the edges of his mouth and something dark sparked dangerously within his gaze.
"Could I tempt you with a nightcap, then?" He asked, reaching out to push a stray curl from my face. At his touch, I bit down harder on the inside of my cheek.
"I suppose I could manage one," I said. My body was practically humming, every nerve raw and aching.
"Car's here, Dari," Jas called. I jumped at the sound of her voice, glancing at her before looking back at Zayn. He nodded. I smiled as he took my hand in his own.
"You go on ahead," I said, turning back to face my family.
"Should we be expecting you for breakfast?" Jon asked. I flushed at his casual and outright implication that I wouldn't be home until the morning. I glanced nervously back at the man next to me.
He squeezed my hand in reassurance. "It's up to you."
"I'm freezing over here," Jas complained. "What's the verdict?"
Something sparked inside me, a bit of my previous humor rising to the surface. "The jury's still out."
Zayn choked on a laugh while Jon just nodded. "Be safe you two."
Jon shook Zayn's hand just as Caleb came toward us. He clasped the Monsieur on the shoulder, before turning and planting a soft kiss to each of my cheeks. "Happy Birthday, my love."
Jas and Lee each gave me a quick hug and a few short moments later, the McKenneys were speeding off into the night. I shoved my hands deep into the pockets of my borrowed jacket, a chill racing up my spine both from the wind and the realization that I was now alone with the Monsieur.
"So, what was that about a nightcap?" I asked, daring a glance up at Zayn. He smiled down at me, readjusting his grip on my hand. He looped my arm through the crook of his elbow, and we set off at an easy pace down the street.
Silence descended between us while we walked; the chatter of the never ending sea of pedestrians swirled around us, filling the void. I pulled his jacket tighter still around my body, grateful for the barrier against the biting cold. We walked another six blocks before he pulled us gently to a stop in front of an impressive, luxury building.
"Thank you for inviting me tonight," he said, "Your family is lovely."
"You must not have spoken to Jas much, then," I said with a laugh.
