Read Online The Company of Darkness by Lisa Olsen - Free Book Online Page A

I’ll be good.”  He let go of her, backing off, his hands outstretched, much to her disappointment.   She could have stood being distracted a little while longer. 
    It didn’t take long to blend the marks away and brush her hair out, leaving it long since she’d be out on the street soon, and she always felt safer with the security blanket of hair hanging loose down her back.
    All the food was put away, the living room restored to perfect order when she came out.  Even her glass of water was washed and put away.  It was like the entire evening had never happened, except for the parts of her that were pleasantly sore. 
    A plastic bag of Chinese food cartons sat on the edge of the counter.
    “What’s this?” she asked. 
    “You hardly touched your celebration dinner.  I thought you might like to take the leftovers home with you.”
    That wasn’t strictly true, she’d eaten plenty.  But it hadn’t made much of a dent considering all the different dishes he’d bought for her.  “I think we did a pretty good job of celebrating on our own,” she smiled, at a good height in her heels to meet his lips for a kiss.  “It’ll keep here alright, won’t it?  I’ll come back tomorrow night and we can celebrate again.” 
    Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly uncomfortable.  “We’ll have to play it by ear for tomorrow night.  You shouldn’t disappear too often or Ian’s going to start asking questions.”
    “So, let him ask, he’s not my keeper.”
    “But he can make your life more difficult for you, especially if you start acting differently.”
    “You’re not helping my ego, you know,” she said, a deep furrow marring her forehead.  “Aren’t you supposed to wait until I leave before you start blowing me off?”
    “That’s not what this is.  If I had my way I’d lock the door and keep you cuffed to the bed for a week.” 
    Her brows rose at that particular image.  “Could get messy… but I’m not saying no outright.”
    That brought a smile to his lips.  “I’m just saying we need to be smart about this.  That means no unexplained absences too many times in a row.  We can work it out, but let’s see how things shake down from tonight before we make solid plans for tomorrow.”
    “Okay, I get it,” she sighed, trying to ride out the dip in self esteem.  “Sorry for being such a girl on you.”
    “It’s alright, I remember that part of a relationship too.  Only…”
    “What?”
    “No pet names, okay?  No pooky or snookums or any of that stuff.”  His hands came up as if he expected a blow after such a provocation, but Cady had other ideas.
    “I’ll give you pooky,” she growled, pressing close for a long kiss.  When they pulled apart, she had the bag of food and his hand rested on the doorknob. 
    “Text me when you get home safe.  Do you need money for a cab?”
    “A cab won’t go into my neighborhood,” she scoffed.  “I’ll take the bus.  It’ll be fine.”
    “I don’t like you going by yourself,” he frowned. 
    “I’ve been doing it fine for years.”
    “Maybe I should drive you back part of the way.”  He let go of the door to grab his keys, but she edged closer to the door. 
    “I’ll be fine, I promise.  I’m a big girl.”
    “ But you’re my girl, I’m entitled to worry.”
    It was sweet in a kind of old fashioned way.  “Yes, I am your girl,” she acknowledged with a brief press of lips.  “And I know a thing or two about protecting myself.  You should’ve seen how I got rid of that creep Penny and Kelli set me up with.”
    His expression darkened.  “The one with his hand on your knee?  What was his name again?”
    “Ha, like I’m going to tell you.  Like I said before, I took care of it.  Now, give me a kiss and say goodnight.”
    “You’re pretty bossy, you know that?”  Ethan pretended to scowl.
    “But you still love me.”
    “Yes, I do.  Come what may.”  Leaning in, he gave her a