Chapter 4 Can I borrow a phone

concentrate was the electric force I felt coursing through my entire body. All my nerve endings were focused on my chin. There was a hand touching me that definitely didn't belong to me. - Breathe. I was so taken by surprise that my head whipped around and my glasses fell to the floor with a loud thud. My heart started to beat faster when I noticed the burgundy blur kneeling down. Since I couldn't see much without my glasses, I couldn't see what was taking so long. Then my heart stopped completely as the glasses slid onto my head once again. Okay, wow. I could see much better than before.

This wasn't good because I could see Clark in all his Carson glory while he was right in front of me. He wasn't smiling completely, but his lips were tilted, giving him a playful look. - They still smell like beer, but at least this way you can see better. - He winked at me, and I hated myself for the way my stomach dropped. I wasn't sixteen anymore. I had no excuse for the way I was making a fool of myself. Damn it, Oriana, get a grip. How do you expect to make it big if an interaction like this makes you nervous? "Oreo..." Clark took a step back as he spoke. "Oriana," I barked back, because Oreo sounded stupid and reminded me of that day. His slanted lips turned into a crooked smile. "Oriana," he corrected as he sat down at the table facing me, but on the other side so as not to block the detective. "As fun as it was, I'd like to go home," I told the detective. He didn't miss a beat. - Then we can finally get to the point. Clark's smile disappeared when he made eye contact with the man behind me. "You were with Callahan today, weren't you, Prescott? So he was there with the mayor. Very interesting. Silently, I was writing down Prescott's name for research. Anyone friendly with the mayor was on a list I should research thoroughly. "Yes," was all Prescott said. Clark's eyes turned from Prescott to me. -What were you doing there, Oriana? I got the bite on my name. "I had business to attend to," I added awkwardly, hoping that would be enough. - I thought you said you weren't a prostitute. - The detective smiled at me. My mouth opened and closed. I got the feeling this wasn't how they normally conducted business. "I was following Mayor Callahan," I told them reluctantly, already having a feeling it wouldn't sit well with them. The detective started to laugh. - What were you? Clark hissed. "I should probably start at the beginning," I muttered. "That would be wise," Prescott said with one hell of a poker face. He went to stand next to Dex, and I felt like she was being buried under his scrutinizing gaze. "I'm investigating Mayor Callahan," I declared proudly. - Is that so? - Clark's voice was strangely calm. My hands started to sweat, so I put them in my pants pockets. - As you can see, this is all a misunderstanding and I can go home now. - I slowly started moving towards the door. - You are cop? Prescott asked. - Oh no. - I shook my head as I took another step back. -Detective? - The royal detective asked. "Obviously not," I said as I took another step back. Clark, who had remained quiet and who I hoped would be the voice of reason, watched me. For the first time tonight, our eyes met. His dark blue eyes stared at me for a few seconds before sliding down and up my body. Sweet baby Jesus, I felt parts of me that had nothing to do with tingling... tingling. I certainly wasn't sixteen anymore. Unfortunately, I was not as talented as my sister in our possessions. My breasts were smaller but perky, and my waist was small, but I liked to think I was lucky in the butt department. - Are you with the feds? - Clark finally asked in a sarcastic tone. I was going to say yes just to spite them, but Clark raised an eyebrow daring me to do it, and I didn't want to find out what would happen if I did. My shoulders slumped. I needed to wrap this up and go home. - No. - So you're done investigating Gilbert Callahan. I opened my mouth at the sudden anger I felt, but closed it again. It was safe to say that I didn't like anyone telling me what I could or couldn't do – especially a man. - I'm a journalist. Investigating people is what I do," I spat. - You can write your little newspaper without following the mayor. Oh, he didn't just say that. Who the hell did he think he was? Oh no, that wasn't happening. My hands went to my hips. "You just pissed her off," Detective Dex muttered. - I don't tell you how to do your job, and you don't tell me how to do mine. - When it causes concern for your safety, I do. - You're so much cuter when there are no words coming out of your mouth. Oh, fuck. I didn't just say it out loud. My curse-free streak was going so well before tonight. Lucas would be so disappointed in me. Judging by the giggles coming from the detective, I knew I had said it out loud. The show must go on. - This is not a hobby. It's my job and I will continue to do my job as I see fit. With that, Clark smiled. And that smile didn't make me flinch, but instead made me want to run away as fast as I could. Chapter Three It turns out I could be told what to do. In exchange for letting this thing go, I was told that no charges would be brought against me. Who knew that causing a riot in a bar would have heavy consequences? I was furious, but I would find out all this later. I refused to talk to Clark, and since Prescott wasn't a cop, I sat down with Dex again, who told me to call him Dex and stop referring to him as - Detective. - I'll try to see what I can do about your bag. - That would be good. - My tone was cut off. He looked at the now open door, where I knew Clark was. "It's for your own safety," he added. - I've been taking care of myself since I was twelve and I'm doing very well. The detective seemed resigned. - Do you need a ride home? My face turned pale. Oh no. How was I going to get home? My car was at Heavenly, but that didn't matter because my keys were gone. Nonsense. I couldn't even get into my apartment. - Can I borrow a phone? - I hated asking, especially because I was still angry. - Follow me. I straightened my shoulders and stood up, following Dex, pretending Clark wasn't there. He was blocking the door and I had two options: try to get past him or talk to him. Since I didn't want any part of my body near him, option two was the way to go. "I'm sorry, Detective Carson, but I'm trying to survive," I told him in a monotone voice. "Really, Ore..." "That's not my name," I snapped as I looked at him. His eyes crinkled now that we had made eye contact again. - I'm not trying to be an idiot, honey... - he started to say, and my stomach dropped. "I'm just trying to keep you safe. "It's not your job to keep me safe," I reminded him. "Actually, it is," he replied while pointing at his badge. - And my job is to report. "But not on that," he pressed. Okay, since we weren't getting anywhere, it was option number one. I made my way through the door and squeezed past him. He was much taller than me, but then again, I was on the shorter side. I just didn't realize how much higher until I was trying to pass it. I felt so small and overwhelmed. Dex was waiting for me and continued to lead me to what I assumed was his office. He waited outside while I made a call. That done, I went back to where he was waiting for me. - Is your sister catching you? - he questioned. I scoffed. - It would be a cold day in Hell before I asked her for help. He seemed surprised by this. -Should I go now? - Is your ride here? - This matters? Dex scratched the back of his head. - We prefer you wait where we can see you. He must have seen something in my face, because he immediately added something to it. - It's late. Just give us some peace of mind and don't go waltzing around town. Yes? Us? I