Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

I know it isn’t, but when the toe of my heel gingerly touches the floor in the next room, it seems
so loud and distinct, I’m certain the guards will come running. They’ll know immediately I’ve
crossed the line and entered the rooms we’re not allowed in.
Tension gathers in my shoulders as I straddle the threshold, one foot where it’s supposed to be,
one where it isn’t allowed, and lean in to try and get Calvin’s attention without attracting any from the
guard.
“Please come out of this room before you give me an anxiety attack.”
Calvin seems amused, walking deeper into the room and glancing at the mostly empty walls.
Only the borders around the doorways of the interior rooms have carvings. The porch where we’re
allowed to explore is the most decorated part of the temple.
“Aren’t you the least bit curious?” he coaxes, meeting my gaze as he unashamedly walks around
this ancient room.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Yes. But, unlike you, I’m able to control my impulses.”
“I’m able to,” he says. “Sometimes I just choose not to.”
Before I can beg him again to get out of the forbidden temple, he moves into the next room.
“Calvin,” I whisper furiously, darting a glance behind me one last time before fully stepping into
the interior room.
My stomach pitches being somewhere I know I’m not supposed to be. I certainly won’t stay long,
but I might as well look around while I’m here. In the center of the room there’s a statue atop a
column surrounded by a protective shield. I’ve seen it from a distance, but never up close.
“Lovely, isn’t it?”
Calvin’s voice from the doorway just behind the statue startles me and draws my attention back
to him. “We have to go,” I tell him softly.
“Don’t you want to see the last room?” he asks, trying to tempt me.
It won’t work. “No. I want to leave before we get arrested or your membership gets revoked or
whatever happens to jerks who can’t be bothered to follow the rules.”
Calvin’s lips tug up in a smug little smirk. “You know what happens? They get experiences the
rule-followers don’t.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, your careless disregard for others and selfish entitlement are so unique and
admirable. You’re so special to possess such qualities. Rules exist for a reason, you know. This
temple is ancient and it has already been damaged by the world. It’s supposed to be protected here. It
has to be so that it can be preserved for generations to come.” Shaking my head, I say, “This is
exactly why I don’t date rich men. You think it’s your right to take up so much more space than the
average person. You need therapy. I’m going back to the table. If you want to break all the rules, you
can do it by yourself.”