Flawed: (A Psychological Dark Romance) (The Dark Necessities Prequels Book 1) Read online

  They queued to be served, Lily’s gaze flitting to his every now and again, as though she didn’t quite believe he was really there. Once they had ordered, and Ethan had insisted he pay, they found a vacant table, and he watched as she slipped into the chair by the wall.

  “How is that possible?” she murmured.

  Clearly, Lily had been holding the question in since they arrived.

  “I’m not exactly sure,” he admitted as he took a sip of his tea. “It’s something I’ve been able to do for a while, but I must confess, I’ve never found a more tempting connection than the one I have with you.”

  The blush he’d witnessed earlier engulfed her face, and Lily reached for her teacup, as though the pottery would somehow protect her from his gaze. “I don’t understand,” she conceded. “But thank you.”

  Ethan nodded. Her confusion was entirely appropriate. He had the sense that one day she would comprehend, but in some ways, it didn’t even matter.

  “I meant to say thank you anyway,” she continued as she lifted the cup toward her mouth.

  His eyes flew to that pretty mouth, memories of the way his tongue had caressed the inside of her lips flooding his mind and making his cock spring to life. Fuck, Ethan had never wanted to be a teacup as much as he did at that moment.

  “Why’s that?”

  “For the other night,” she replied in a hesitant voice. “I don’t know how you knew we were in trouble, but I’m glad you did. I was really worried about what those guys wanted to do.”

  He inhaled. Ethan had been worried, too, and he was willing to bet it was nothing good. He knew an unsavory character when he spotted one—he was one himself, after all.

  “You’re welcome,” he said with a smile. “I was just passing and sensed that you and your friend might need some help.”

  Ethan hadn’t intended to lie, but at that moment he sensed Lily might not be able to process any more truths. She was already struggling with the notion that they’d connected in their dreams; the idea that he’d had a vision about her fate that evening might just prove to be too much.

  “You were quite the hero,” she breathed, flashing her green eyes at him. “So, thank you, again.”

  The way she batted her lashes at him made Ethan stop and catch his breath. If he didn’t know better, he could have sworn Lily was actually flirting with him.

  “You’re always welcome.”

  Their food arrived at that moment, and he watched with satisfaction as she took a bite of the freshly made sandwich. Fuck, even watching her eat turned him on. Being around Lily was going to be intolerable unless he could have her—and soon.

  “You can’t be too careful these days,” she continued after she’d swallowed her first mouthful. “There is still a killer out there on the loose.”

  Ethan’s balls tightened at her words. To hear the subject of his attention referring to his crimes made his pulse quicken exponentially. “You’re right,” he agreed. “And you’re also right to be wary. You never know who might be out there, watching you…”

  Lily’s gaze widened at that. “Actually, it’s funny you should say that,” she whispered, her eyes darting around the other occupants of the intimate café.

  “Why?”

  He took a large bite of his own lunch as Lily pulled in a deep breath. The woman was absolutely mesmerizing to watch.

  “These last few days I’ve felt a little insecure on my own—ever since the night you helped us out actually—and it made me wonder if I was being watched.”

  Ethan suppressed the urge to smile at her assertion. Lily’s instincts were a credit to her. “Maybe it was one of those guys from the car?” he offered as he picked his teacup up again. “I wouldn’t put it past men like that.”

  She shivered at his statement. “God, I hope not,” she whispered. “I was going to ask my dad to pick me up after work today, but I never got the chance. I can’t bear to think of one of those jerks out there, watching me.”

  He placed the cup back down in the saucer, eyeing her intently. This was it—the moment he could take a step even further into Lily’s world—he could sense it. All he had to do was play the next few moments the right way…

  “I could take you home,” he proffered. “If it’ll make you feel more comfortable?”

  Lily put down the remainder of her sandwich, her eyes as wide as the saucers in front of her. “B… but you don’t even know me?” she stammered. “Why would you do that?”

  Ethan threw her a devastating smile. “I’ve been really moved by what’s happening between us, Lily,” he told her in a soft voice. “I don’t usually do this sort of thing, but I’d like to help you. I’d like to know you’re safe.”

  She bit her lip at that. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I know my father would be pleased I wasn’t walking home alone anymore.”

  “I can imagine,” Ethan answered her after a moment. “He must be concerned about a daughter as beautiful as you.”

  Lily’s eyes sparkled at his compliment, and she smiled coyly. “Well, I don’t know about that,” she went on. “But, yes, he is concerned. Both my parents are.”

  “Well, it’s up to you,” he purred. “But the offer is there.”

  “Thank you, Ethan,” she replied with a smile. “I’d really appreciate that. It’s not often you meet a man who has your best interests at heart.”

  He couldn’t fight the smile that rose to his lips at those words—it simply wasn’t possible. Lily was too adorable, and even more innocent than he’d envisioned. She had no idea who he was, or that she was taking tea and sandwiches with the big, bad wolf, and yet the look in those green eyes told him she was open to more of the carnal promise their dreams had promised.

  She was perfect.

  “I’m not a total gentleman,” he admitted as he drained the remainder of his tea. “I must confess to be hopelessly smitten with the woman from my dreams. That’s why I had to find out where you worked and come and meet you.”

  Lily’s gaze flitted to her chest before it rose back to meet his eyes again. “I’m glad you did,” she told him. “And I’d love to take you up on your offer, Ethan. If you don’t mind coming back at five thirty?”

  He flashed her a genuine smile. Mind? He couldn’t bloody wait. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I’ll be there.”

  Chapter Ten

  Time in Ethan’s company had seemed to evaporate, and yet Lily’s afternoon dragged on by contrast. Every time she was asked to wash a client’s hair, or practice some new cosmetic technique, an image of his smile would fill her head, and it would make her have to catch her breath. By the time the day ended, her belly had clenched into excited knots as the prospect of seeing him again loomed.

  Would he actually be there waiting for her, she wondered as she collected her blue coat from the cloakroom, and if he was, what did that mean? Lily hadn’t wrapped her head around the unusual connection that seemed to have sprung between them. She simply didn’t understand how they could both have had the same, hot dreams, or how she had simply known his name, but at that moment, Lily didn’t care. All that mattered to her now was the warm feeling the thought of seeing him again inspired, and the way her heart picked up its pace when he smiled at her. That was what she wanted, and that was what was on her mind as she skipped out into the autumnal rain shower.

  Glancing up and down the street, her gaze sought him out. Suddenly, Lily realized she had no idea what car Ethan even drove. Her memory from their first meeting was sketchy, and as she searched the line of vehicles outside of the salon, the idea that he might not have come at all seemed like a very real prospect.

  “How can I have been so stupid?” she muttered to herself as she began to scurry down the wet path.

  The rain was turning into a torrent, and somehow, it perfectly matched her mood. She was so caught up in her embarrassed self-loathing, that Lily barely noticed the car that pulled up beside her. In fact, she didn’t even look up until the driver sounded the horn. Her hea
rt leaped at that, and Lily flew around with an incredulous look on her face. It didn’t even occur to her that it could be Ethan until she saw him emerge from the driver’s side, an amused expression on his handsome face.

  “I thought I was giving you a lift, beautiful?” he called from across the car.

  Lily smiled at him, despite the blush she knew was flaming at her face. “I’m sorry,” she called in response, raising her satchel to try and shield her hair and face from the sudden monsoon. “I couldn’t see you. I thought you’d changed your mind.”

  Ethan was laughing as he shook his head. “Get in the car,” he ordered her with a wink that made her heart miss a beat. “You’ll catch your death in this weather!”

  She skipped around the puddles toward his car, pulling open the passenger door and sliding in before his prophecy became true. The last thing Lily needed was a cold this early in the season.

  “Thank you,” she breathed as she turned to find Ethan back behind the wheel.

  “Were you seriously going to run for it in this weather?” he asked in a bemused tone. “When I’d already told you I’d collect you?”

  Lily flushed. It wasn’t like she had to answer to Ethan or anything—after all, she barely knew the guy—but there was something about the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice that made her want to answer. She wanted to explain herself, and she squirmed awkwardly against his leather as she began.

  “I didn’t know which car you would be in,” she started in her most imploring tone. “I couldn’t recall from the other night, and I thought maybe you’d…”

  Her voice trailed away as it came time to admit the thought process Lily had actually experienced when she’d walked out and not been able to find Ethan.

  “Not turned up?” he offered, shifting his weight to give her his attention. “Or changed my mind?”

  Lily bit her lip at the knowing look in his eyes. He looked so disapproving and full of authority, and frankly it was making her hot and agitated. That was almost as unexpected as the man himself. “Yes,” she whispered in reply.

  Ethan ran his fingers through the wet strands of dark hair. “That’s not me, Lily,” he told her in a firm tone. “If I say I’ll be there, then I’ll be there.” He paused, pinioning her with the full weight of those captivating blue eyes. “Okay?”

  She found herself nodding, but in truth it was more his mannerisms than his words that captured her. There was something so compelling about those deep blue eyes. The man was such a mystery, turning up to save her and then somehow, getting inside her head for days and nights afterwards. For Lily it was as maddening as it was thrilling.

  His features relaxed at her response, and Ethan smiled at her softly. “Are you going to tell me where you live then?” he probed. “Or do I have to torture the information out of you?”

  A dark flicker of emotion in his eyes made Lily’s heart race faster, and she laughed in a show of nerves. “Sure,” she replied. “No need for torture today.”

  Ethan lifted his chin to grin at her. “Maybe next time?” he said with a chuckle. “So, where to?”

  Lily met his gaze, still fascinated by the look in those eyes. “If you could drop me just around the corner from Nelsons Walk, that’ll be great,” she conceded.

  “Just around the corner?” he mused aloud as he pulled out into the slow stream of traffic.

  The congestion just seemed to be getting worse every day.

  “Yeah,” she admitted, aware of yet more heat in her cheeks. “My parents might not like the idea of me being dropped off by a handsome stranger, so I’m just playing it safe.”

  He chuckled at that, a dark sound that made the muscles at the apex of her thighs clench reflexively. “Handsome, you say?” he asked, throwing her an inquisitive glance.

  Lily turned to meet his gaze, and caught sight of the way his right brow had arched with the question. Now, that was hot, and to her horror, Lily found she was practically panting as they crawled up the road.

  “Yes,” she confirmed, though in not nearly as sexy a voice as she’d hoped. “Definitely handsome.”

  Ethan’s gaze returned to the road, and he chuckled—the dark, riveting sound that again seemed to speak directly to her sex. Lily was a relative innocent in the ways of men. She’d had a few, rather unfortunate fumbles with a couple of boys, but she’d never been to bed with either of them, and as her gaze fell over the dark stubble at Ethan’s jaw, one thing became blindingly obvious. Ethan was not a boy at all. He was a man, at least ten years her senior, and he was making her hornier than anyone else had ever done in her life.

  “Thank you,” he cooed. “But, I totally get it. If you were mine, I’m sure I wouldn’t want someone like me dropping you home, either.”

  Lily gulped at his assertion, his words ringing in her mind. If you were mine—that’s what he’d said, wasn’t it? Her throat dried at the mere idea. “Someone like you?” she murmured.

  What was that supposed to mean?

  He glanced back in her direction. “Someone older; someone they don’t know—I’m sure you can understand your parents’ concern?”

  As he turned onto the main road, the sound of sirens caught both of their attention, and Lily watched two police cars go speeding past his vehicle.

  “I wonder what’s happened now?” she asked, more than aware of how nervous she sounded. “I hope it’s not another one of those killings.”

  Ethan’s gaze flitted from her to the road ahead. “All the more reason for making sure you get home safely,” he said in a soothing tone. “Do you want me to flick the radio on and find out what the news says?”

  Lily swallowed. Did she want him to? Every time she heard the news these days, it was just more misery. “Okay, yes, please,” she answered after a moment. “I guess we might as well know.”

  Ethan switched on the dial, turning it idly as he came to a halt in the early evening traffic. The sound of one of the local stations filled the car, and he gazed out of the window for a moment as they listened to what the male presenter had to say.

  “Breaking news this afternoon, and I’m afraid it’s not good.”

  Lily inhaled at that, and the sound seemed to draw Ethan’s attention back to her as the traffic began to move again.

  “The police have confirmed another body has been found in the Parkside area, and recent reports suggest the area has been closed off to the public. No word yet if they are linking this recent grisly discovery to a string of bodies found over the last few months, but as we acknowledge this latest shocking news, it is difficult to see how the association cannot be made.”

  “Oh God,” Lily gasped, clutching her hands to her mouth as though she could somehow hold the shock in. “That’s so close to here, Ethan!”

  Ethan reached forward, cutting off the broadcast with one flick of the dial. “It’s okay,” he told her in a smooth and reassuring tone. “You’re safe, Lily. I’m more than happy to take you wherever you need to go when your parents can’t help you.”

  Lily stared at the side of his face. Really? He would do that for her, but why? Why would such a gorgeous, alluring man want to be at her beck and call? She could feel the moisture between her legs as that idea resonated.

  “Don’t you have a job you need to go to?” she asked tentatively.

  Ethan turned his face toward her, the attention of his eyes hard all of sudden. He looked so fierce at that moment, that Lily flustered.

  “I mean, thank you so much for the offer, and of course, I would love that, but seriously, I can’t dominate all of your time as an unpaid taxi driver! I’m sure you have better things to do.”

  His expression softened, but only a little. “I’m an artist,” he mumbled in response. “I work whenever the mood takes me.”

  Lily’s mouth fell open. “An artist?”

  Could the man be any more perfect?

  “Yes,” came the reply. “So, I have lots of time to spare at the end of the day.”

  “Oh.”
<
br />   It was all Lily could honestly think to say. She was still imagining Ethan creating some masterpiece and frankly the thought was damn distracting.

  “You don’t have a girlfriend?” she probed, hating how pathetic her voice sounded.

  But there it was. The man made her nervous, and hot, and distracted.

  Ethan laughed, but the sound was gentle this time. “No, Lily,” he murmured in response. “There’s no one special in my life at the moment, but…”

  He hesitated, and for just a moment, Lily thought he might even be unsure. “But I hope that might change. If you feel the way I feel?”

  She swallowed. Somehow, his reticence made her even more apprehensive. “And, how is that?”

  “Compelled, Lily,” he replied in a breathy tone. “I am absolutely fascinated by you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  She thought of little else but Ethan from that moment on. Of course, there was work, and there was home along with the irritating monologue of her parents and the odd phone call from Jody to break the intensity, but little else could penetrate Lily’s mind. For some reason, she found her belly was in knots as the evening turned to night, but when Lily’s head hit the pillow, there was always one certainty.

  Ethan.

  Of course, it was Ethan. It was always Ethan now, and as her eyes fluttered shut, Lily held her breath, wondering if she would be able to draw him into her dreams again.

  Lily needn’t have worried. He was there almost as soon as sleep found her, though the purples and reds of prior days were gone, replaced by a new place, a room that reminded Lily of an old-fashioned study. There was wood-paneling on the walls, large book shelves and dressers filled the space, and a huge fur rug in the center of the mammoth rectangular room. Lily blinked around her. She could feel the warmth of the fireplace to her left, and instinctively she moved past the leather-studded chairs in the direction of the dancing flames.

  She’d never been there before—she was sure she hadn’t—yet something about it was so familiar and comfortable, and in her heart, she knew the truth. This was Ethan’s place. She didn’t know where, and she didn’t know how, but she knew. Ethan was there.