CHAPTER 11
DUMONT
HoldingEloisein my arms, having her in my bed, scenting her feminine fragrance—it all felt so right.Iwanted to stay here for days simply holding her, butIhad a city to protect, andIhad to check in with my team.
Ittook all my focus to pull away from her and sit up.WhenIkissed her shoulder, she stirred.Iclimbed out of bed, watching her asIdressed.Withher blonde hair spilling over my pillow and her face so still, she appeared like a sleeping angel.
Imust have woken her as her eyes fluttered open.Shesquinted at me from her beautiful green eyes. “Dumont?”
“Ineed to go out for a bit.Goback to sleep,Eloise.”
Shegrabbed her glasses from the nightstand and put them on. “Whereare you going?”
“Justdoing whatIusually do—checking with the team.”Therewas more to it than that.Mysentries had been detecting the stench of demons throughout the city.Thatwas worrisome.Yet, she didn’t need to know all that.I’ddo whatever it took to protect her and wouldn’t frighten her with things beyond her control.Ibent down and kissed her cheek. “Don’tworry.I’llbe back as soon asIcan.We’llhave dinner tonight.Justthe two of us.”
Herlips twitched into a half smile. “Likea date?”
“Adate indeed.”WhenIwalked to the door,Ipaused and looked over my shoulder.Shewatched me, her lips parted and so delectable.Ayearning to return to her rose, butIhad responsibilitiesIcouldn’t ignore.Itook a deep inhale and opened the door.
“Seeyou soon.”Mymate.
AsIwalked up to the rooftop,Itried to shake the urge to rush to her.Ihad to keep my head in the game.Iwas commander of a team.Thisdistraction would not do.
AfterIchecked in with my team, my thoughts returned toEloise.WhatcouldIdo to make our dinner date special tonight?Moreso than simply sharing a meal together.WhenIfound a quiet moment,IaskedHugo.
“I’mhaving a private dinner withEloisetonight.Whatdo humans like?”
“Regardingfood?” he replied. “Thesame as us from whatI’velearned.”
“No.”Iran a hand through my hair. “HowdoImake it romantic?”
“Ah,” he replied in an understanding tone. “Let’ssee.Youcan’t go wrong with music.Candles.Makesure you smell nice.Saynice things.Complimenther.”
Musicand candles, that was easy enough.I’dconsidered that the first time we had dinner before thinking it might be too much, too soon.Yes,I’dmake sureIshowered before this evening.Compliments, not a problem.Therewere countless thingsIadmired aboutEloise.
Iplanned it all out that day, then scoffed at myself.Wasit wrong for a commander to spend time thinking how to woo a human he should be protecting?
Perhaps.Butthe more timeIspent with her, the moreIknewIcouldn’t ever let her go.Shewas the only one for me.Couldshe ever feel a sliver of the same way for me?
Asthe sunbegan to set,Eloisemet me at my apartment.Shestood in the doorway like an angel, wearing an emerald-green dress that accentuated the lighter hue of her bright eyes.Thereport thatI’dinvestigated earlier on demons detected in the suburbs drifted to the back of my mind, locked into a compartment for easy retrieval later.Thatwasn’t somethingI’dbring up to frighten her and ruin our night.
Myheart beat faster asIgaped. “Youlook beautiful.”
Shesmiled. “Thankyou.”Motioningto the outfit, she said, “I’mglad it fits.Itlooked so great online, but you never know if that will be the case until you try it on.”
Mygaze raked over her.Thefabric flowed gracefully over her body, clinging just enough to her succulent curves. “Itlooks as if it was made for you.”Ibrought my gaze back up to meet hers.
Shesmiled. “Andthank you for buying it for me.Aswell as several other outfits.”
I’dinsisted on buying her whatever she needed while she stayed at theVault.Iwanted to ensure she had everything to make her comfortable.Plus, treating her felt good.Iwanted to do more to see her smile.Seeingher joy as she wore her new outfits was possibly even more enjoyable for me.
“Ilike seeing you in them,”Ireplied, unable to keep a shade of sensuality from my tone.
Shecocked her head and added, “Youlook quite handsome yourself.”
Ichuckled. “That’snot something a gargoyle hears often.”Yet,Ihad ensuredI’dshowered and smelled good for her, wearing a nice pair of black pants and an olive-green button-down shirt.
“WhatcanIsay?”Sherolled one shoulder and tipped her head toward it. “Ilike whatIsee.”
