Book thief
1196 Words
Talon's smirk faltered, his jaw tightening slightly as he regarded her. "Halo, he said, his voice smooth but firm, "there's a difference between what you're saying and what you're actually suggesting."
She tilted her head. "Oh? Enlighten me, then."
He took a slow step toward her, closing the space between them. He wasn't angry. If anything, he looked amused, but there was something else, something deeper in the way he watched her.
"You're my wife," he said simply. "And if you think I'd be fine with you being with another man, then you haven't been paying attention."
Halo let out a short laugh. "Right. Because you, on the other hand, can do whatever you want?"
Talon exhaled through his nose, his hands slipping into his pockets. "It's not about what I can do," he murmured. "It's about what I want."
"And what do you want?"
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before lifting back to her eyes. "You."
She stilled.
Talon reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch featherlight. "You can say whatever you want about open relationships, about boundaries. But you and I both know that the thought of me with someone else doesn't sit right with you."
Halo swallowed, "You're so sure of yourself."
"I don't have to be sure of myself," Talon murmured. "I'm sure of what I want from you."
She felt uncomfortable at how easily he got under her skin.
So she took a step back.
Talon let her, but the amusement in his eyes never faded. "Let me make something clear, Halo," he said, his voice softer now. “I don't care what century we're in. I will not share my wife."
Halo let out a breath. "Then don’t expect me to sit by while you do."
Talon chuckled, shaking his head. "You really think I'd want anyone else so quick?"
She met his gaze, searching for any sign of deception. But there was none.
It frustrated her more than it should have.
Halo nodded, her fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her shirt. "Mr Talon, you're too possessive for a man in a business marriage," she murmured shyly.
Talon hummed, taking another slow step forward. "And you say that as if it's a bad thing."
"It is," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.
He reached out, his fingers tracing an invisible path along her wrist before he lifted her hand. His thumb brushed over her palm, slow and deliberate. "If it bothers you so much, why aren't you pulling away?"
Halo stiffened, realizing too late that she hadn't moved. She was letting him touch her. Letting him close the space between them.
She yanked her hand back, cradling it against her chest. "Don't twist my words, Talon."
He chuckled, "I don't have to. You're already contradicting yourself."
Her lips parted in protest, but he continued before she could speak.
"You call this a business marriage, but you react to me as if it's something else." His eyes glinted with amusement. "Tell me, Halo, do all business partners get this flustered?"
She scowled. "I am not flustered."
"No?" He leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek. "Then why are you blushing?"
Halo's eyes widened. She turned away, pressing a hand to her face as if she could will the heat away.
Talon exhaled, stepping back just enough to give her space. "Relax," he murmured. "I'm not here to push you into anything. But if you think for one second that I'll sit back and let you entertain the idea of being with someone else..…"
His voice dropped.
"Then you don't know me at all."
She cleared her throat. "It's getting late."
Talon watched her, his expression unreadable.
"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and stay away from that party," she continued, her voice steady.
His eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he said nothing.
"But next time, Talon," she added, meeting his gaze head-on, "even this distraction won't work."
Talon smirked, as if amused by her confidence, but Halo wasn’t finished.
"And yes, I consider myself loyal, with or without strings attached," she said calmly. "If you don't want this open, that's fine."
She turned slightly, heading toward the bed. "But the moment you decide to frolic around, do let me know."
••••••••
She walked toward the bed, ready to call it a night, but hesitated. Instead, she turned toward the bathroom, deciding a bath might help her relax.
The warm water did little to ease the tension sitting in her chest. When she stepped out, wrapped in a robe, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders, she felt calmer, but only slightly.
She didn't go straight to bed. Instead, she settled on the sofa near it, picking up a book from the small table. Her fingers skimmed the pages absently as she tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting.
She was nervous.
Because tonight, she will be sharing his bed.
Talon had made it clear, neither of them would be sleeping on the couch or the floor. If one did, the other would be there too. That was the rule.
She exhaled quietly, lowering the book to her lap.
She shook her head and tried to focus on the words in front of her, but the letters blurred together.
Talon stepped out of the bathroom, his robe loosely tied around his waist as he wiped his damp hair with a towel. His gaze landed on Halo, already dressed and settled on the sofa near the bed, her legs tucked beneath her. She was reading, or at least pretending to.
His lips curved into a smirk, his voice laced with playful disappointment. "You are already dressed? And in my pajamas?"
Halo looked up, blinking at him before glancing down at the oversized shirt and pants she had borrowed. "Oh..yeah. Sorry about that. The other nighties were...different from what I am used to."
Talon chuckled, stepping closer. "You do realize that wearing my clothes is tempting, right?"
She sighed, nibbling on her nails, a nervous habit she had yet to shake. "It is just comfortable, Talon."
He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Sure, roomie."
Halo rolled her eyes.
"How well did you enjoy the dinner the chef prepared?" he asked, switching the topic effortlessly.
"It was good," she replied. "Really good, actually."
Talon hummed, reaching for the book she had been holding.
Before she could react, he snatched it from her hands.
"Talon!" she gasped.
He turned the book over in his hands, raising an eyebrow. "You are reading this?"
"Give it back!" She shot up from the couch, reaching for it.
Talon grinned, holding the book out of her reach. "What is so interesting in here?"
Halo lunged forward, trying to grab it.
He easily stepped back.
She tried again, nearly catching it this time, but her foot slipped slightly on the rug.
Her balance faltered.
Before she could catch herself, the corner of the nightstand made sharp contact with the side of her head.
The impact sent a sharp sting through her skull before everything went black.
- Writer
