Chapter 18
The heat rises to my face as 1 watch the awkward exchange between Valentine and my dad. This is worse than I could’ve imagined. I knew Dad would be protective, maybe even a little metbeating, but this this is beyond anything I prepared for
Good god, what is the deal between him and Valentine’s mom anyway!
I glance at Valentine, who’s doing his best to stay calm and respectful. He’s handling it a lot better than Lexpected. Maybe I don’t know him as well
as I thought
Tinally, the dinner ends, and 1 let out a slow, relieved breath. Dail did everything but pull out a lie detector
“Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Blackwood and Mr. Blackwood,“Valentine says, his voice steady despite everything. “I was really delicious 1 appreciate you having me.”
Emma smiles warmly. Tlease call me Enima”
Valentine pods, returning her smile. “Thank you. Emma”
look. I know he’s not even close to done, but thankfully,
Dad, though, just leans back in his chair, still staring at Valentine with that sharp, assessing le the interrogation is over–for now.
I can barely keep from rolling my eyes as I gently tag Valentine’s arm. “Come on, let’s go,” I whisper.
“Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” Dad says, his voier curt
“Rescuing Valentine from you,” I shoot back.
“Great idea, Scarlet. Why don’t you take Valentine upstairs and show him your art studio?” Emma suggests with a smile
“And that better be the only thing you’re showing him.” Thad barks
“River“” Emina scolds him.
My face flushes again at Dad a words. Seriously! I can’t stop the irritation from creeping into my voice as I say, “Duid, really? You don’t have to make
Valentine laughs, though he quickly stops, avoiding Dad’s eyes.
Dad narrows has pure, but before he can say anything else. Emma steps in, giving him a firm look. “River, that’s enough. You’ve made your point
He grumbles under his breath, clearly outnumbered “Fine,” he mutters “Bubremember, Scarlet, the door stays open”
I roll my eyes, giving Emma a grateful smile before pulling Valentine towards the stairs. “Come on,” I whisper, “Before he changes his mind.”
“Art studio, huh?” Valentine smirks as we club the stairs. “I had no idea you were an artis
“It’s just a bobby,” I mutter
“Then again, there i a lor I don’t know about you.” Valentine says with a grin. “Like how I didn’t know you were this rich”
noi rrally something Hbrag about,” I minhle, my voye low as we reach the top of the stains. “Hut now you know.”
he’s trying to absorb it all. “This place is huge,” he says, sounding
Valentine glastes around the hallway, his eyes taking everything impressed. “In Bur sonbethung out of arthovie!
I strug spring the door to any art studio. “Tr’s just home to me? Stepping imple, I tum to him. “But this this is my favorite part.”
eyes widen at he takes in the room. Canvases line the wall, some finished, some half–done, with a range of colors and styles. Sketches
us a big drik, and my art supplies are neatly organized on shelves and in drawers.
Irizine Beratura, coming towards our of the paintings, his fingers hovering above the surface. “You did all of these!”
Ined a bar of pride creeping into my amide. “Yeah. It’s my way of dealing with things” Tinaj my arms, feeling a bude exposed now that he’s seeing thus side of me. “When dhunoi get too much. I past come in here and paint”
Valentine turns to me, lús räpression gentle. “I had no idea you were this talented,” he says sodily. “These are they’re beautiful”
1/2
Chapter 18
My face warms at
Eser warms at the compliment, and 1 dack my braid, brushing it off. “It’s just something I do to unvind”
“Well, I think it’s incredible,” he says, stepping closer. “You’re incredible.”
My heart skip a beat at the way he says it. “Thanks” I reply, my vojor soft
Valentine s eyes linger on mine, has gare intense enough to make my breath catch. He reaches out, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, and a shiver runs down my spine at his touch
“You know, there’s a lot I don’t k
́s a lot I don’t know about you, Scarlet Blackwood,” he murmurs, his voice low, almost intimate. “But I’m going to change that
My heart races as he steps closer, his body just inches from mine. I can feel the heat coming off him, smell the faint scent of his cologne. It’s
“I whisper
“What do you want to know!” I w
I want to know everything about you.”
His hand slides to my waist, sending sparks through me “Everything,” he says simply. “I wan
I close my eyes as he leans in, his lips hovering just above mine I can feel his breath on my skin, can almost taste him
And 1 suddenly realize I want him to kiss me.
as I turn to see Dad!
But just as our lips are about to meet, a sharp knock on the door makes us jump apart. My eyes fly open, heart pounding, as I turn to see standing in the doorway, his expression thunderous.
“I thought and to keep the door open,” he growls, his eyes narrowed at Valentine.
My face flushes with embarrassment and frustration, “Dad, we were just-
I know exactly what you were just about to do,” he cuts me off, his voice sharp. “I think it’s time for you to go home. Valentine”
Valentine nods, his jaw tight as he steps away from me. “Yes, sir,” he says respectfully, though I can see the frustration in his eyes.
He turns to me, his expression softening. “Tilver you at school “he says quietly, has hand brushing mine in a subile gesture of affection
I nod, my throat tight with emotion as I watch him leave the room.
As soon as he’s gone. I ink onto the couch, sighing. “Dad, do you have to always act like such a….….“
“Like a dad!” Dad nuses an eyebrow. “Yes, I do”
“He wasn’t going to do anything” argue
to make sure of that
He crosses his armi, is expression softening, though he’s still firm. “Maybe not, but it’s my job to n
I groan, drowing my head back against the couch. “You didn’t have to
to scare him off
like that. I’m not a hule girl anymore.
Ded prins “You’re always going to be my little girl. Besides, I didn’t scare him off. He don’t seem like the type to get scared easily.”
I give him a surped look “And how would you know that Do you know Valentine like you knew his mother?” Lask, narrowing my eyes. “Dad, what aren’t you telling met
Dad’s eyes go dastant as he leans against the doorframe, looking thoughtful. “Just be careful around him, alright? That’s all I’m going to say And
rich that cryptic statement, be leaves the rosu-
E
