Chapter 14
Darren
Acrow was sittingin the parking lot of the hotel. It had been there almost every single day since Antoine had left.
I wasn’t sure if I should be fearful or flattered by Antoine’s animal watching us. Watching me. I almost wondered if Antoine was worried...about me? Out of all the years Antoine and I had been together, never did I think he would ever be concerned about losing a woman or a man to me.
Jealousy, I understood. The way the crow kept a watchful eye on us, I did not understand.
I closed the curtains of the hotel room and went to the door. Piper had passed out after our encounter with Antoine, leaving the two of us alone. At that time, naked and satisfied, I never thought about what would happen afterward.
Antoine did.
“She is not yours,” he told me, staring at the wall. “No matter what this makes you feel, she does not belong to you alone. Do not let the illusion of domestic bliss fool you.”
I had simply nodded my head, not arguing, or believing Piper would ever pick me over the Durands. They were all strong and beautiful in their own right. Everything I was, came from Antione. I had been nothing, and he made me everything. Made me belong. Made my life mean something. The very thought that Piper - or anyone - would ever pick me over them was laughable. Unthinkable.
And yet...Antoine feared it.
It was a useless fear. There was no need to fear Piper choosing me over them. I couldn’t even get her in the same room as me other than when we were sleeping now.
If I thought she was avoiding me before, I didn’t know what she was doing now. Hiding. That was as close as what I could think to call it. And she was good at it.
Madeline sat at the reception desk. She blinked up at me and grinned. “Why hello there. I feel like I haven’t seen you all week.”
I nodded. "Work has not been kind to me. Have you seen-"
"Piper?" Madeline cut me off with a bitter smile. "Are you sure you two aren't dating?" When I didn't answer, she pointed a finger toward the door with a sigh. "She left about an hour ago. Didn't say where she was going though."
I inclined my head in thanks.
I always seemed to be chasing after Piper. What did that say about me? Or maybe her? Either way, I found myself searching for her even when I knew where she was. Today though, I'd had about enough of her running. We had to talk.
Once outside in the morning light, I glanced one way and then the other searching for any sign of that blonde head of hair. After a moment, I realized how silly I'd been. Closing my eyes, I breathed in deeply through my nose.
There.
The faint scent of Piper's shampoo. An artificial berry that I'd recognize anywhere as belonging to Piper.
I couldn't always scent for someone. I certainly couldn't do it for a stranger. Piper wasn't a stranger. I'd know her in the dark, even without my ears to hear.
Turning left, I followed the scent with curious intent. Where could she have gone today besides the office? Usually, I'd have found her down by the beach, but the smell passed the exit to the boardwalk and kept going into the business strip.
After a few minutes of walking, the scent grew stronger. Then it brought me to a halt two shops down from where a door opened, and Piper walked out. A sense of relief filled me, followed by apprehension when a large bald man stood just inside the glass door, acting far too familiar with Piper for my liking.
I angled my head and tried to pick up their conversation.
"Tuesdays and Thursdays good for you?" the man with the low, almost growling voice asked, raising my shackles even more.
"Yeah," Piper nodded and grinned. "I just have to figure out something to tell my roommate."
The man crossed his arms over his muscular chest and smirked. "So, I'm to be your dirty little secret, huh?" His tone implied more than what he meant.
Piper giggled nervously, her body language shifting in discomfort. "I guess you could say so. I just don't want him to worry is all."
"Him, huh? He your boyfriend?"
I found myself leaning more intently to hear her answer.