“Yes. I do.” I stood up and walked on legs not quite steady underneath me. But I made my way to him and took the necklace out of the box. I held it out, watching as he took it from me—without any ill effects—and opened the clasp. With as much innocence as I could muster, I questioned, “What kind of jewel is that? I’ve never seen one like it before.”
He twirled a finger, motioning for me to turn around. When I was properly facing away from him, he brushed my hair aside and placed the necklace around my neck, studying the clasp again. His tone was quiet and brusque. “I’m not sure if it has a name. But I do know it’s a jewel of protection. When I first found it, I could feel the power emanating from it. It’ll keep you safe.” Done with the clasp, he patted my bare ass, his eyes over my head and on his bed—my clothes shredded on it. He mumbled under his breath, “I should probably get you something to wear before you leave.”
“That would be nice,” I stated absently, trying to understand all the information running amok inside my head. I gripped the necklace and watched as he dug around inside his chest of drawers. One thing was certain, though.
“Bel?”
“Hmm?” he murmured, tossing a pair of sweatpants at me, then searching again in his drawers.
I caught the sweatpants out of the air and tossed the box onto his bed. Stuffing my legs into the soft material, I spoke quietly, “Thank you for the gift. It really was considerate of you.”
“You already thanked me. There’s no need to do it again.” He turned in my direction, holding a plain white t-shirt up in the air. “This is the smallest one I have here. It’ll have to do.”
I snorted and pulled the sweatpants up, rolling them at the top. They still almost fell off me. And that t-shirt was so large the bottom of it would hit my knees. “I’ll have to sneak back to my room.” I caught it when he threw it at me. “Where are my weapons and phone and key?”
Back to digging through his drawers for his own clothes, he lifted his chin in the direction of the coffee table next to his couch. “Over there.”
I slipped the shirt on.
It fell to my knees. Knew it.
I grabbed all my items that were still in one piece.
I eyed my boots. Or what was left of them. “You know, you could have at least left my shoes intact.” I only had three pairs of these—now two. I’d have to go shopping.
I wouldn’t complain about that though.
Shopping.I loved me some retail therapy.
“They were in the way.” He grunted and dropped his towel down onto the ground. He pointed to his door—the silver security walls up now. “You better get going. We only have an hour before we’re needed.”
I took one last peek of all that naked flesh on display. “I’m going. I’m going.” But I paused. “I had fun last night.”
His lips curved up, cocky and satisfied. “As did I.”
I used my vampire speed to race in his direction, jumping and kissing his lips, and then I was at his bedchamber door and unlocking it, all in the blink of an eye.
His deep laugh followed me out.
* * *
I put my key in my lock, asking, “Anything I need know?”
Crow shook his head. If he wondered about my oversized attire, he didn’t show it. His dark eyes stared straight forward.
“Excellent. Let Phoenix know I’ll need him in a half hour for Cleo’s ceremony.” I opened the door of my new apartments and slipped inside. “And if a royal couturier comes by, I amneveravailable. Make sure Phoenix knows that too.”
They would send one soon.
I didn’t care. I liked my clothes as they were.
I picked them to my tastes. Not what others said.
Crow nodded.
I shut my door on his silent form.
Time to hurry my ass up.
