Otherwise things can slip through.
Like Rafe.
I mentally played back the scene when I had felt that press of evil on the beach. Closing my eyes, I reached out with my mind to see if I could identify Rafe’s energy signature. He was fairly easy to pick out, even with my eyes closed, and I would have known he was a ghost from a mile away. Which left me thinking that the wave of evil that had washed over the beach was not from the spirit realm.
And all too human.
I shivered as Rafe sat on the couch next to me.
“Don’t be nervous, milady. I may look like a ruffian but I will be gentle with you.”
I choked on a sip of wine and gasped for air, bending over as tears pricked my eyes and I tried to breathe. Gasping, I sat back up with a smile on my face.
“Okay, buddy, we’re going to set some ground rules here.”
“Ground rules?” Rafe seemed to be rolling the words around in his head.
“Ship rules? Captain’s rules?”
“Ah yes, Captain’s rules. That makes sense,” Rafe said.
“This is my house. I am the Captain of this house. You must obey my rules.”
“I’m not very good at obeying rules,” Rafe said casually, picking something out of his teeth as he mulled my words over.
“Get good at it. Rule number one. Stop hitting on me,” I said, popping a slice of cheese in my mouth as I watched him.
“I would never strike a comely wench,” Rafe drew back, his eyes wide and horrified.
I swear this would be funny if it wasn’t happening to me.
“I meant no sexual overtones. Or undertones. Or whatever you call it. Basically don’t touch me, don’t flirt with me, pretend we are just friends.”
“Friends?”
“Yes, friends. No sexual innuendos. You talk about your day and your work. What your dreams are…that kind of thing.”
“What if my dreams are about having my way with you?”
I glared at Rafe, a piece of apple in my hand.
“Nothing sexual. Period.”
“Well, that’s simply no fun,” Rafe griped.
“Rule number two. You stay out of my bathroom and my bedroom.”
“I can’t watch you bathe?”
“Absolutely not. You must respect my privacy.” I said, driving my point home by jabbing my finger into the air. Hank stood below me, his head turned toward Rafe, and sniffed the air.
“Fine, but you have to call off the devil-beast,” Rafe grumbled, sneering down at Hank.
I sighed and patted the cushion next to me. Hank immediately jumped up and faced Rafe, his hackles raised once again.
“See? He hates me!” Rafe exclaimed, moving further away from Hank.
“Maybe he doesn’t like some of the comments you’ve made about me,” I said snidely – then I saw the very real fear in Rafe’s eyes.
