Page 44 of Illicit Education
As one does.
With Greer hot on my heels, I made my way past the dance floor and bar where Mina probably waited for me in the booth, past a few long hallways that led to God only knew where–orwhat–then I passed an unfamiliar group of patrons gathered where Lacey had been earlier at the base of the stairs.
Ignoring Greer’s voice as she called after me, I charged my way up to White Rabbit.
When I reached the top of the stairs, I pushed out into the brightly lit store, squeezing my eyes shut against the sharp contrast in lighting. I leaned against the faux ivy-covered wall, panting and trying to gather myself as I caught my breath.
“Rylan, what the hell, man,” Greer wheezed, closing the door as she joined me on this side of it. “Who does that? Who just runs through a nightclub like that?”
My eyes widened as I realized what I’d just done. What I must have looked like. Embarrassment heated my chest and crept up into my cheeks. “Oh my God.”
Greer scoffed. “Yeah.”
I pressed my hands to my face and hung my head, shoulders still rising and falling on heavy breaths. “What have I done?”
“Yeah.” Greer snorted. “That was embarrassing.”
I looked up into her golden eyes, shaking my head. “That was so hot.”
Greer’s mouth dropped open and she took a step back. “That’swhy you ran? Because youlikedit?” Her eyes flicked back and forth between mine like she didn’t understand.
Well, that made two of us.
Licking my lips, I swallowed hard. A laugh bubbled up my throat.
Laurel cleared her throat and I looked up into concerned blue eyes.
“Everything okay?”
Her cell phone buzzed in her pocket and she tugged it out, then glanced at the screen and answered the call. “Mistress, hello.” She paused, then looked at me. “Yes, she’s here.”
I giggled again.
“I don’t know why you’re laughing,” Greer grumbled. “You’re probably about to be fired.”
“She’s fine.” Laurel raised her eyebrows to confirm and I nodded.
“Yes. Will do.” She ended the call and slipped the phone back into her pocket. “Well, that’s a first. Congratulations.”
Hanging my head, I dared to ask, “What’s a first?”
“No one has ever left the Rabbit Hole in a full sprint.”
“No,” I groaned. “I can’t believe I did that.” I laughed again. “Why am I like this?”
“It’s… well…” Laurel sighed. “What happened?”
I raised my head to look at her again. “I panicked.”
“I see that. What made you panic, Rylan? Mina’s concerned.” She searched my gaze. “What did you see? Do you want to talk about it?”
Hmm. Did I want to talk about the fact that watching Cabot Reed whip a woman until shecamemade me nearly come undone myself?
Yeah, no thanks.I did not want to talk about that. I didn’t even want tothinkabout it.
“She saw something she liked and it freaked her out.”
I shot Greer a glare, but she ignored me.