Page 5 of Unwrapping Deviance
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to just travel all the time. It sounds fun, but exhausting and lonely.”
Daniel laughs. “Chris loves it. He’s really good at what he does, and he doesn’t stay lonely very long.”
I feel warmth curl up into my cheeks at the implication.
Of course he wouldn’t. If he looks half as gorgeous as Daniel — which, as a twin, he most likely does — women probably throw themselves at him all the time.
“Do you think he’ll like me?” I ask, suddenly nervous to meet this person who holds so much sway over Daniel; what if he tells Daniel he can do better?
“I think he’s going to like you too much.”
I’m not really sure how to take that. The statement is given with both an eagerness and dread I can’t figure out.
But a soft whir of gears captures my attention as Daniel lowers his window with his free hand. I’m ready to snap at him to hold the wheel being held straight by the sheer grace of his knees when he thrusts his hand out of the opening and snaps something off a passing bush.
Curiosity has me falling silent as he brings in a bright, orange flower the size of my entire palm with thick petals speckled with dark spots and tiny barbs nestled in the center. He passes it to me without a word.
My heart kicks in my chest as I hold the offering by the short stem. A smile touches my lips at the adorable gesture, and the fact that everything about it is perfect. Not a blemish in sight, like he had somehow known exactly which one to grab.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you,” I murmur, lifting the downy petals to my nose and inhaling the faint, sweet scent.
Daniel’s watching me when I peek up through my lashes. I can’t see his eyes through the glasses, but their weight is hot and focused on my face, warming my cheeks. My whole body. I’mtingling all over and barely resisting the urge to crawl into his lap even while he’s driving and...
“Promise me something,” he says before I can give into my urges.
His tone is light but curled around a seriousness that has my spine prickling.
“What?”
“Don’t wander off. Even at the house, stay where we can see you.”
The odd request has me searching his hidden features. “Why?”
He’s quiet as we hit a break in the path and the road opens to a large gravel clearing.
“It’s not safe. Promise.”
I hadn’t planned on leaving his side anyway, but the insistence has me giving him a shrug.
“I promise.”
CHAPTER TWO
MIRA
––––––––
The clearing spans wide. A white circle of gravel surrounded by towering pine. It’s empty apart from the single, black bike parked on the opposite end. Faint residues of light barely filtering in through the heavy canopy of trees glints off the sleek, shiny metal. I don’t know squat about bikes, but it’s massive, a slumbering beast hiding deep in the woods.
“Christian’s here,” Daniel mutters.
In the ten months I’ve known Daniel, Christian never once came to visit. Whenever he calls, it’s from some exotic locale across the world. I teasingly asked if his brother was a spy.
Daniel had laughed.
“Location Scout.”Had been his answer.
I had to Google what that was. Apparently, someone who travels the world scouting different locations for businesses. I hadn’t realized that was even a thing.