The Dark Before Light (Before & After Book 2)

by L.M. Halloran

Someone has tried to kill Kieran. Twice. The last time, if Sven hadn’t jumped in front of him at the perfect moment and taken the bullet meant for his heart, he’d be dead. Dead. “Hey. Look at me.”

Shit. I must have really checked out. “Sorry,” I say weakly.

“This is one of the reasons I didn’t want to tell you. I don’t want you to be afraid for your safety when you’re with me.”

“What is your obsession with my teeth about? It’s weird, and that’s coming from a kink expert.”

“Just the crooked eyetooth. It’s so fucking charming I can’t stand it.” My face warms. “Again—wow.”

“Please don’t ever straighten that tooth.”

“I don’t bite unless asked,” whispers Kieran.

“Talia,” he whispers, hot breath on the back of my neck. “Tell me you feel this.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’ll get another fucking therapist. Just say the word.”

I want to unwrap her and lick her secrets. I want her to trust me and need me and challenge me. I want more than her body.

I want her fucking soul.

I can’t stop thinking about her fingers, long and delicate, and how they’d feel wrapped around my cock. “Stop staring,” she hisses. “I can’t.”

I almost grab her by the chin and kiss her. She flushes and turns her attention to the stage.

“Are you all right?” asks Stirling, her lips fighting a smile. “I will be when I fire him.” She laughs softly. “Sure you will.”

“It made me realize how important that part of my life was. If I hadn’t walked that path, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m not ashamed of my history with the kink community. I’m proud of it. The fact it’s triggering so many people only highlights the ignorance and shame around the topic.”

“You and Stirling—you fit. Anyone with eyes can see it, hear it when you talk to each other. Maybe this shit has always been easy for you in the past, but you’re not an easy man anymore, Kier—if you ever really were. And if Stirling were easy, she wouldn’t be your match.”

“You’ve gone soft, big man.”

know it’s not an ideal situation, her being your therapist. Maybe if she were horrible at it, but she’s not. You’re at least twenty percent more tolerable since you ...

“All I’m saying is I don’t think you should give up. Use that high IQ you supposedly have. Solv...

“How long has it been this way?”

“Really gonna make me say it, are you?” “Yes.”

“Since Liz...

“Are you really seeing someone?” My stomach flips. “No,”

“Maybe I haven’t met a woman I’d like to chat with after fucking,” he grinds out. “More.”

“I’m not the same man who married Liz. I don’t feel capable of it.” “Capable of what?”

win, Stirling. Here’s the truth. It’s not that I haven’t tried dating anyone. It’s that when I have, I lost interest within days. I don’t know how to be normal anymore. I’m too angry, too… jagged. I’m so different, if Liz were still alive, I don’t even know if she’d ha...

“That’s grief,” I murmur. “The inescapable tragedy of time passing and carrying us away from the people we’ve lost. It doesn’t diminish the love. We can only accept that our hearts have different shapes now. You’re as capable of love as you were then. And just as deserving.”

Has to be a woman with lion eyes, one crooked tooth, and a personality like a minefield.”

He made a hummingbird.

“You look like a wet hummingbird.”

“Go on, take it.” Kieran nods to my neck. “I figured you liked them since I’ve never seen you without that necklace.”

“It’s a bird. You like birds. Accept the gift.”

“How would you counsel someone who’s falling for their therapist?”

“We’re ending here today,” I say tightly. “Thank you, everyone.”

“Come on, Clark Kent,” I snarl, then drag him across the club through the archway leading to the playrooms.

“Remember what I said about why I haven’t dated anyone?” My heart skips a beat. “Yes, of course.” “I wasn’t being totally honest. I did feel that way. Until very recently. Now I can’t stop thinking about you. I want to know you. I want you in my bed and my life. It’s as simple—and complicated—as that. I’ve decided I don’t care that you’re my therapist. In fact, you’re fired.”

“Don’t.”

“You can’t tell me what to do anymore.” “Like I ever...

“Let me amend my statement. There’s one scenario in which you can order me around ...

“We’ve made so much progress the last few weeks. Wednesday night was huge. Didn’t you feel it...

“I did. You’re a great therapist, no question. I just don’t w...

you want to help me, Talia, tell me why you’re fighting this so hard. I already know you’re attracted to me. Fireworks don’t hold a candle to what happens when we touch.”

“Is it the security issues? My restrictive lifestyle? I know it’s a lot. I’m selfish for asking you to accept⁠—”

“That doesn’t have anything to ...

“What’s the problem, then? I’m smart, fit, and relatively charming. I don’t have any STDs or illegitimate children. I’m a good cook. I do my own laundry. My bank account balance has an obscene number of zeros. Most importantly, I want t...

“You’re blushing. You like the idea, don’t you? My face between those beautiful thighs?” “I’m frustrated,” I hiss. “You...

“I’m perfectly sane, and yo...

“Talia,” he whispers. “I know you feel something for me.”