“As you wish. I can show you the way.”
“Please, running for my life seems to have made me somewhat sleepy.” Wren laughs.
“I can imagine it would, Miss Fischer. There will be no more fleeing for your life today.”
“Excellent! Good night, Raine. Love you.” She wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. “I’ll wait up if you don’t take too long.” Wren winks at me and follows Leo out into the hallway. “You know, I feel better knowing you’re here to look after my...” Wren’s voice trails off as the door shuts.
I sink to the sofa. How long should I wait for Roark to come back? I think about kicking off my shoes and lying down on the sofa. It’s butter smooth and soft. My stomach is full, and there’s nothing I’d rather do than let my eyes slowly close, watching the crackling fire.
I shake myself awake. I need to talk to the guys about the security guards. In the next breath, I’m out in the hall and heading down to the foyer.
Roark has his arms crossed over his chest. Smoke pours out of his nose. It’s intimidating as hell. But it’s not the bodyguards’ fault they lost us. I don’t know if this is Winnie or Kylie, but she’s not budging at his scowl. She’s the one who helped us run away from the bar. In all honesty, I should begrateful to her. And I am. I don’t want her to lose her job, but I also want her to back away from Roark. The green monster of jealousy rages through me, and I have to shake my head to get rid of it.
The foyer next to the driveway doesn’t scream castle, more like stone cottage with the low stone ceiling and exposed stone walls.
I step up close to Roark. “What’s going on?”
Neither Roark nor the bodyguard say anything.
I have the urge to say it again, break the spell of the who’s tougher stare-down that’s going on. Instead, I revert back to the old me. “Thank you so much for taking care of Wren and me. I don’t know what we would have done without you,” I say, holding out my hand for her to shake.
“You’re welcome. Winnie Drake, Stone Security.”
“They really did a good job. Didn’t they, Roark? They could have done a better job if I’d known they were there to protect me. And if I’d known there was something or someone I need protection from.” I tilt my head back and look up at him.Ball’s in your court, buddy.
“Indeed. That would have made it easier for everyone,” Roark says. “When you go into town now, Ms. Drake or Ms. Lu will accompany you,” Roark says with a scowl.
“That’s a great idea.” I reach for my phone, but it’s not in my pocket. “Let me give you my number.”
“I have it,” Winnie says.
“Perfect. Would you like a grilled cheese?”
“Ah, no. Thank you. I should be on my way.” Winnie nods.
“Can I give you a hug? I’m a hugger.”
“Yes.” Winnie pulls me in. “Thank you,” she whispers. “You won’t regret it.”
“Damn straight she won’t,” Roark growls.
I reach down and take his hand as we watch the door shut.
“Evander’s not going to be happy I didn’t fire them. And Kieren’s going to explode into a ball of flames.”
“That does sound messy.” I take his other hand, go up onto my tiptoes, and kiss his cheek. And then I’m flying. But not flying. My head’s on a hard surface. A firm surface that smells really good. Sage and mahogany. “I can walk, you know.”
“I’m sure you can. But I need you close for just a few minutes. My dragon’s ready to do its own fire dance.” He’s up the stairs in a few bounds and down the corridor. He pauses at his door, and I grab the door frame.
“It’s Wren’s birthday. I need to go check on her.”
Roark’s arm holding me to his shoulder stills. “Yes.” He slides me down his body, and I’m groaning at my own decision to not let him do whatever it was he had planned. His blue eyes hold mine. “You are welcome in my suite anytime.”
My chest freezes. My mouth’s gone dry. He’s the most ruggedly handsome man I’ve ever met. So much so that I walk backwards a good ten feet. Holding back a promise ofI’ll be right backhas to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. When I turn and sprint to my bedroom door, the hallway is filled with Roark’s warm chuckle. I burst through the door. Wren’s sitting on the day lounger, an e-reader on her lap.
“You’re still up?”
“Yes, but why are you in here?”
