“Do you always ask this many questions?” he asked.
“Why do you think I became a librarian?” Even saying the words summoned some slight sadness, though, as I already missed Peregrine City’s. It had become a second home to me, and there was a comfort in the stacks I rarely found elsewhere.
He lapsed into silence as we wandered through the gardens, the red and yellow tulips bright and eye-catching. The light, sweet fragrances from the flowers drifted my way, and I drank them in deep, keeping pace with “The Beast,” as the corporate world called Cillian Ashmore. Though keeping pace with him was putting me a bit out of breath as his massive legs carried him much faster.
Up ahead, a massive fountain with a pale limestone base and large basin splashed high in the air, and white benches were laid out around it in intervals. Clematis vines twined around them, the bright purple blooms a stark contrast.
“They’ll meet us here,” Cillian said cryptically, because the man couldn’t seem to deliver a straight statement. Truthfully, I hadn’t met a single person in his employ who did. Maybe they took a seminar on it. He headed for the nearest bench and found a seat.
I sidled up next to the bench, not bothering to sit. I’d just spent the last few hours right next to him, and I’d been overwhelmed enough by the power rolling off him, the sheer intimidation, the scent of brimstone and amber and musk.
Cillian spread his arms over the back of the bench, his massive shoulders on clear display. He arched a brow at me. “Afraid of monsters?”
“No, just can’t handle whatever cologne you’ve got slathered on,” I responded, unable to keep the bite out of my tone. His presence kept me on edge, something I was aware of yet hated in the same breath.
A low rumble emerged from his chest, but whether I’d pissed him off or amused him wasn’t clear. I swallowed, my throat dry.
“Sit,” he said.
“I’m not a dog.” Why I couldn’t seem to hold my tongue around him was beyond me, but he hadn’t lashed out yet. Another mystery to add to the stack.
“If you were a dog, you’d be far more loyal and much less inquisitive,” Cillian responded.
“Spoken like someone who’s never met a dog before,” I said, crossing my arms. “But I’m more of a cat person anyway.”
“Figures.”
Annoyance flared through me, and the urge to push back rose up hard. This was the man who held my future in his palm, and the smart move would be to remain quiet, to sit back and observe, but he sparked my temper like no one I’d ever met.
A few employees, clear from their navy-blue suitcoat and cream blouse uniforms, headed in our direction. I hadn’t sat, and I wasn’t planning on doing so with Cillian taking up far too much space on the bench. They hauled over a few bags and cup-laden carriers, which sparked my curiosity.
“Here’s everything requested,” one of the employees said, a slight tremble to her voice. “Do you need us to set it up?”
Cillian jerked his head no.
They dropped off the bags as well as the carriers, all three of them buzzing. One of the guys offered a salute, which seemed so ridiculous I had to bite back a laugh. Their fear of him was clear, and maybe I was insane for not having the same reaction to this massive demon beside me.
“Let us know if you need anything else,” he said before darting off.
“Thank you,” I offered.
The fact Cillian hadn’t even said a word to them didn’t escape me, and I bit back a few choice opinions regarding that. However, my stomach rumbled at the scents rising from the bags they’d brought over. Given his level of consideration,though, the meal was probably for him while I would be left to fend for myself.
He leaned forward and grabbed one of the bags, then passed it over to me. “For lunch.”
I blinked in surprise, the gesture enough that I took a seat on the bench beside him and accepted the bag. The box inside was marked as being from one of the restaurants in the Spires, and I opened mine to find a ham and brie baguette sandwich. The salty scent made me lick my lips, and I didn’t hesitate to take a bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue, and I withheld a groan.
Cillian’s stare bored into me. His bag rested on his lap, but his golden gaze locked onto me with an intensity that made me shiver. I swiped at the side of my lips, sure something had to be clinging there.
“Going to eat or just brood?” I asked.
He opened his mouth, closed it, and then shook his head. “Here.” He passed over one of the drinks from the holder. “If you don’t want more coffee, I can get one of the staff to bring you a water or something else.”
“I’ll happily accept coffee.” I placed the sandwich down to take the warm drink. After going a week without a good cup, I was desperate, even if I’d most likely be jittery later. “Your fancy kitchen contraptions for brewing some don’t make a lick of sense to me.”
“You could do a search for the model,” he commented. “Most instruction manuals are online.”
I shook my head. “I’m more liable to break it. Definitely not safe in my hands.” I took a sip, the sweet, creamy liquid coursing down my throat. Combined with the sunshine and fresh air, this was the best I’d felt since I first arrived here. The birds whistled and chirped in the background, and the steady thrum of the splashing water soothed my soul.
