Watching him roll up his shirtsleeves to just below his elbows is a borderline religious experience.
Can I get a hallelujah?
Dexter offers to carry everything downstairs and have the Audi waiting for me at the entrance to my building, so I don’t have to walk across the parking lot in the dark, but I nix that idea.
I don’t need anyone trying to give him shit in the elevator or lobby. It’s best if I’m with him. Besides, nothing happened last night while we were out. And any time I’ve ever seen my phantom doggo, I’ve been alone.
Of course, I’m usually alone, but still.
I’vegotthis. I will put my trust in Dexter.
I pack a tote bag with everything I’m going to need for an overnight, and he refuses to let me carry anything other than my purse. Fortunately, we don’t run into anyone in the elevator or lobby, and we quickly cross the parking lot to where I parked the Audi. The sound his boots make as he crosses the parking lot makes my lady parts throb in time with his steps.
Yeah, suit fetish just dropped to second place.
He frowns as he stows everything in the back hatch. “Did you get this washed, love?”
My face heats. “Yeah,” I mutter. “Garrett was being a wolf when he was talking to me. Leaned on it, put his hands all over it. Marking it, sort of. At least he didn’t lick it, or pee on it.”
Dexter starts laughing. “You are an amazing woman, love.”
He opens my door for me. Once he’s behind the wheel, I ask, “Why do you say that?”
“Say what?”
“That I’m amazing. You barely know me.”Oh, hello, self-doubt and fear. I wondered where you went.
He turns to me. “Youareamazing, and I don’t simply mean your special abilities. You’re a survivor. You’re funny and intelligent. You’re obviously capable, because Lucius wouldn’t have entrusted you with as much responsibility as he has if you weren’t. He isn’t very forgiving of avoidable mistakes, and that you are a human who’s earned his trust means a lot. I might not agree with my ‘uncle’ in many ways, but that doesn’t mean I don’t trust him in others. That he thinks as highly of you as he does, as do his men, is very telling. Then there’s the way the shifters trust you, too.”
My face heats and I turn forward. “Yeah, well, I’m just lucky.”
“It’s not merely luck. You and I both know that. And there’s another point—you eschew self-aggrandizement. You don’t pat yourself on the back or look for outside validation.”
“We really need to go,” I quietly say.
“Eilidh.”
Something about his tone makes me turn back to him. He leans in and kisses me. “I promised never to lie to you. One day, I hope you’ll grow comfortable with me paying you compliments.”
“Yeah, but today isnotthat day,” I mutter.
He smiles. “And there’s the wit I love so desperately.” Fortunately, he lets me off the hook. He quickly adjusts the mirrors and seat and everything, and off we go.
Love.
I think he’s in love with me.
He hasn’t exactly said those three little words in that particular order, but Iknowit.
I also know if I told him no and walked away from him, he’d likely pursue me anywhere I went. Maybe not trying to force me to be with him, but he’d shadow me.
As we drive, I can see it play out. Walking away from him means a life of my rent and bills mysteriously being paid. Eating out just to find the tab’s already settled. My car’s gas tank is always full every morning, and the tires never get more than half-worn. If I ever break down, a tow truck will show up before I could even call for it. Guys who I’m not interested in will leave me alone.
Guys who are?
He’d probably screen the hell out of them and make sure they were who they said they were. I would never know who wasn’t influenced by him in some way—thrall, money, or just old-fashioned intimidation.
Why would Inotgive this a chance?
