Page 14 of His Dark Pact

Chapter Five

Tsunami

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“HEY.” HE ROSE FROMhis place and closed the distance between them. His hand slid to her shoulder as she buried her face in her hands, mortified at her behavior.

Kyle was the first interesting guy she’d met since Graham, yet she’d allowed herself to have a meltdown in front of him. What was she thinking?

Shame mushroomed in her chest as she accepted the full weight of her predicament. That night had been her one shot at a moment of happiness—a beacon of light in her world of shadow—and she’d managed to blow it.

“Let’s go somewhere a little quieter.” Kyle tugged her from her chair and guided her away from the table.

She grasped for her small purse and clung to him, hiding her face in the sleeve of his jacket. The scent of his cologne engulfed her, temporarily helping her to forget her misery. Caught between her disgraced embarrassment at her outlandish performance and her genuine panic for what would come next, though, the reprieve didn’t last long. Her landlord had already told her he’d given up on her. From tomorrow, she had nowhere to live.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you.” He steered her away from the throng, his arm sliding to her middle.

Amy noticed the noise of other patrons diminishing as the journey continued.

“Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”

Talking was the farthest thing from her mind as he steered her on, but she was grateful to be away from the prying eyes of other guests. Who knew what they must be thinking of her. What kind of woman burst into tears over pre-dinner drinks?

“Here.” He pushed open a large oak door to reveal a spacious room beyond it. Glancing up from the damp patch she’d made on his sleeve, she realized they’d traveled down a candle-lit corridor to the new location.

“I’m sorry.” The words rushed from her mouth. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She despised her duplicity the moment it left her lips, knowing she was better than the lie suggested.

“Sit down.” His voice was soothing as he led her into the new room and encouraged her toward a leather couch.

Her gaze fixed on the burgundy hue of the seat, the weight of her mortification ensuring she never met his eyes.

Pressing her ankles together, she wrapped her arms around herself as he strode away. With his back turned, she risked a peek around the room, taking in crimson carpets and oversized oak bookcases laden with what looked like old, leather-bound reads. Kyle paused at the enormous mahogany table in the center of the space, the sound of water drawing her attention there.

“You need a drink.” He spun, holding the glass of water out for her, and fleetingly, her focus flew to the half-filled jug and glasses left there. “I’d offer you something stronger, but I don’t think that will help.”

He towered beside her as she took the glass and tentatively took a sip. The water was cold and refreshing, helping to clear the cloudy outlook that even the small amount of champagne had provoked.

“Thank you.” Her voice sounded tiny as he took his place on the sofa beside her. “I’m sorry I’ve embarrassed you.”