Beneath His Darkness (Healing Hearts #3) by Renee Dyer Read Free Book Online Page B

him is going to be easier than I imagined.
    “No problem,” I say to him.
    “Thanks.  I think after she gets through this first audition, she’ll see it isn’t as bad as she’s making it out to be in her head.”
    Oh no, it won’t be bad at all.  I’ll be sure she enjoys every second she spends touching me.
    Tucker slaps me on the shoulder before walking away and anger rips through me.  I worry that my carefully placed mask may have slipped for a second.  Why the fuck does he keep doing that?
    And how many times will he be able to do it before I fall out of character?
    Eddie says something to Victoria before she walks down to join me.  Nervous energy flows out of her pores and her eyes keep shifting side to side.
    “No red lips today?” I ask her, quiet enough for just the two of us to hear.
    “Kissing scene, remember?” she replies.
    “I wouldn’t have minded.  Red looks good on you.”
    Her shy smile is exactly what I was going for.  If her skin weren’t that beautiful shade of caramel, I’m sure I would see her blushing.
    “Shall we?”
    She nods.  I grab her hand and start the scene.
    Everyone in the room disappears around me.  All I see and feel is Victoria.  Her flesh is soft under my palms.  This is supposed to be a simple first kiss scene, but seriously, there is nothing simple about first kisses.  They’re intense and emotions get messy.
    Our lines fade into the distance as our eyes meet.  My hands roam slowly up her back and make their way to her neck, bringing her more flush with my body.  She tilts her face up to me and her lips part slightly as her eyes start to close.  My fingers tangle into her hair and finally my lips crash down onto hers.
    I lose myself in her.  Holding her to me, I let my tongue delve into the warmest recesses of her mouth.  I feel her nails dig into my back from where her arms have snaked around me.  We’re locked together in our embrace, both of us feeling one emotion.  Lust.
    I’m blinded by the emotion for just a moment, letting myself feel it just long enough to allow the hurt to slam me back to reality.  The blackness behind my eyelids becomes my focal point.  I need the darkness to comfort me as it has the last five years, need it to build my strength back up and remind me who I am.  I envision its onyx tendrils wrapping around me like a blanket and I feel a cool calmness wash over me.
    My fingers tighten in her hair one last time and I force my lips harder to hers.  Her gasp is swallowed into our joining breaths.  The pain of finally feeling a connection to someone has passed and in its place, I have started a mental mantra.  She’s a casualty in the war against, Tucker.  You will win this war.   I say it over and over as I succumb to the shadowy recesses of my mind.
    With more force than intended, I rip her away from me.  Her glassy eyes and swollen, parted lips do nothing to move me.  I’ve hardened my heart.  When I take her, and I will take her, it will only be to bring down my brother.
    It’s a shame really.  Had I met her under different circumstances… well, the circumstances will never be different in my life.  Tucker made sure of that.
    Victoria continues to stand there, her doe eyes staring up at me.  Her lack of words tells me how easy it’s going to be to break her.  I smile at the thought.  She takes my smile as encouragement and smiles back.
    Silly girl.
    You have no idea what I have planned for you.
    “That’s what I’m talking about!  You two have serious fucking chemistry,” Tucker shouts from his seat.
    “Tuck,” Eddies says on a sigh, “you’re an actor.  Want to try keeping your emotions in check for a while, man?”
    Everyone chuckles.  Tucker seems completely unaffected.  I listen as Eddie gives me his normal “we’ll call you” spiel.  I already know I have this part.
    Victoria tries not to watch me leave as Tucker gushes over her, but her eyes lock on mine.  So easy , I think to