05-06-2021, 05:28 PM
She hadn’t expected or intended anyone to follow.
When her gaze titled up to the man who stopped her, she did not smile. She rarely did these days, beyond the razored edge of something sardonic, and even that could be hard won. Natalie hid the light as neatly as she did the dark.
Adrian was handsome, devastatingly so, if he had the wit to complement it. But she’d never had a taste for straight-laced. His bait was wrapped in sly tease, and there was nothing unfriendly in it, but this prey had teeth and a contrary nature. She realised then how much she disliked that sense of power held over her. Somewhere in deep recesses she refused to look back on, Ryker’s laughter echoed the shape of a noose taunting all she did not know.
Her gaze washed over him, slow enough that it might have been a flirtation or the prelude to dismissal. He could choose for himself. The weapon was tossed back. “If you’re expecting me to soothe that bruise to your ego with flattery, allow me to disappoint you.” Her tone was dry. She didn’t expend any effort ensuring her humour was understood -- and of course, if he truly knew her, or knew of her, he’d know how to take it anyway.
“No, I don’t remember you.”
When her gaze titled up to the man who stopped her, she did not smile. She rarely did these days, beyond the razored edge of something sardonic, and even that could be hard won. Natalie hid the light as neatly as she did the dark.
Adrian was handsome, devastatingly so, if he had the wit to complement it. But she’d never had a taste for straight-laced. His bait was wrapped in sly tease, and there was nothing unfriendly in it, but this prey had teeth and a contrary nature. She realised then how much she disliked that sense of power held over her. Somewhere in deep recesses she refused to look back on, Ryker’s laughter echoed the shape of a noose taunting all she did not know.
Her gaze washed over him, slow enough that it might have been a flirtation or the prelude to dismissal. He could choose for himself. The weapon was tossed back. “If you’re expecting me to soothe that bruise to your ego with flattery, allow me to disappoint you.” Her tone was dry. She didn’t expend any effort ensuring her humour was understood -- and of course, if he truly knew her, or knew of her, he’d know how to take it anyway.
“No, I don’t remember you.”