“No,” I growled, clenching my fist around the steering wheel.
“Huh?” Veronica said, turning to look at me.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Just, uh, talking to myself. Habit from living alone for as long as I have.”
She chuckled. “I get it.”
We were close to my place, having gone a more roundabout route just in case. She gestured out the windshield.
“You’re sure we’ll be safe there?”
I nodded. “They tracked you with that thing in your shirt. We weren’t at the apartment for as long as we were at my place, and they didn’t bust the door down there. It’ll be fine. Even if those two dumb shits don’t handle the body like I asked them to, and the people hunting you find the changeling corpse, they’ll never be able to figure out who owns the apartment. I bought it through a fake LLC. They can check all they want, and it’ll never lead them back to me. You’ll be safe there. I promise.”
“Good to know.” She gave me another of those crooked smiles that damn near tore me in half. I had to force myself not to keep staring at her as I turned onto my street.
The sun was fully up by the time I pulled my car back into the garage. I didn’t allow Veronica to get out of the car until the door slid shut behind us. I was sure no one would know where she was now that I’d removed the tracker, but better safe than sorry.
“Come on,” I said, opening my door. “Let’s get inside.”
She followed me into the house. I hung my leather jacket on a hook beside the door and kicked off my boots. I left my shoulder holster on and moved to the linen closet.
“What are you doing?” Veronica asked, craning her neck to watch me.
I took out a blanket and pillow, then turned to her.
“Oh,” she said, nodding. “Thanks. That’ll make the couch more comfy.”
“Stop,” I grunted, walking over and tossing the linens on the sofa. “You get the bed. I’ll take this. We’re gonna sleep until dusk. Safer to move about in the dark.”
She frowned and checked her watch. “That’s, like, twelve hours away.”
I nodded and sat on the couch. “I amverytired. I’m sure you are too.” I waved toward the bedroom. “Go ahead. Get some rest. I’ll be fine here.”
Veronica glanced at me, then at couch, a look of consternation on her face. She wanted to argue.
“Seriously, girl, I’ll be fine,” I said, lying back and pulling the blanket up to my stomach. “Turn off the lights,” I added before closing my eyes.
“Okay,” she muttered. “Good night, Declan. Thank you again. For everything. You’ve been amazing.”
Unable to help myself, I opened one eye and watched her walk to the bedroom. She clicked off the light, though the morning sun still filtered through the curtains, lighting the living room enough that I could see her stop and turn to look at me again. I closed my eyes quickly, but I could still feel her gaze upon me. Finally, her footsteps faded toward the bedroom, and I had to force myself to keep my eyes shut rather than watch her go.
Once I heard the bedroom door close, I relaxed, sinking into the cushions and letting my mind drift. A shallow sleep descended upon me, wiping away most of my worries and thoughts.
In that hazy spot between sleeping and wakefulness, my mind spun to a place it hadn’t gone in a long time, visions brought forth unbidden by my subconscious. I imagined Veronica returning to the room and kneeling beside me on the couch. She looked down upon me with a faint sexy smile, her dark curls framing her beautiful face.
“I want to thank you,” she said, and before I could say or do anything, she cupped my face and kissed me, her lips unbelievably soft and warm.
My mind still spun, part of it believing this was real, and part understanding it was a fantasy. Neither part really cared. I clutched at her, running my hands across her body in hungry excitement, desperate for connection, to touch another person, to feel alive for the first time in three years.
Veronica pulled away, smiling at me before her hand slipped down and undid my zipper. My breath came in quick, excited bursts as I watched her. When she reached in and her fingers wrapped around my shaft, I nearly cried out in relief.
The cool air of the room felt even colder against the throbbing hot flesh of my cock. She stroked me slowly, languidly, her eyes never leaving mine. Licking her lips, she turned and lowered her head. I watched in near delirious anticipation as she opened her mouth and?—
I jerked awake, and the fantasy vanished. Grumbling to myself, I rolled over, and by the time I slipped into real sleep, I’d almost forgotten the mental movie that had played across my mind for a few brief seconds.
Almost.
Sometime later, even in sleep, I got the distinct sense that someone was watching me. My ingrained instincts caused me to claw up out of my dreams, fearful someone or something might be in the house with us. Rather than coming face-to-face with a demon or warlock assassin, I found Veronica’s eyes hovering over me.
