His eyes narrowed. “I don’t date colleagues.”
“Who do you date then?” she asked, and then immediately wished she hadn’t. She wasn’t even certain she wanted to know the answer. But then again, she was a Guardian. Shyly hanging back had never been in her nature.
“I don’t date.”
God, that seemed... sad. “Never?”
“Never. I like being alone.”
Kay blinked. “Well, don’t think of it as a date then. Think of it more like… I know what you can do, and I can help you.”
“Blackmail, you mean?”
Bloody hell. Ethan had walls higher than the Tower of London.
A part of her thought she should just let it go, but a bigger, more primal part wanted her to hold tighter, to break down his walls, at least a little bit. To feel that surge of connection again. “That’s not what I meant. Don’t think of it as a date, just a genuine offer of help with those skills you’re so keen to deny.”
He watched her silently, still not agreeing, and Kay risked reaching out one finger to gently touch the back of his hand.
The rush of heat was just as powerful the second time, but she was expecting it and didn’t flinch. Instead, she opened herself to the Shadows and held her finger against his skin. His forest-green Healer’s Shadows coiled sinuously around hers while electricity sparked between them and goose bumps broke out along his arm.
He jerked his hand back and shoved it in his pocket. “You want to tell me about what just happened?”
Kay shrugged. She wanted to tell him, but she didn’t know quite what to say. And if she was right that their Shadows had recognized each other, then she was almost at as much of a loss as he was.
Ethan gave a strained chuckle as he looked around the ambulance. Anywhere but at her. Eventually, he seemed to reach a conclusion and sighed. “Okay. You win. How about brunch? I know a great place overlooking the Thames; they do fantastic Eggs Benedict.”
“That sounds good.” It did. Good. That’s what she was telling herself, anyway. Not potent and confusing and thrilling and slightly terrifying. Good.
She held out her hand. “If you give me your phone, I’ll add my number.”
“I’m free on Thursday if that works?” he asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket and handing it over.
Kay’s diary was packed, never mind whatever was going on with Elizabeth, but she could fit it in. She would see him again when she wasn’t coming down from a fight, and then she’d know if he really was the perfect match to her Shadows. God.
She opened her mouth to agree, but the older paramedic bustled back into the ambulance before she could. Ethan turned to look back over his shoulder. “Hey, Dan; we’re just about done.”
“Great. Constable Robbins would like a word with the patient.” Dan smiled at Kay. “And your boyfriend is going mad out there; think we can let him in?”
“What boyfriend?” Kay asked, glancing at Ethan as he snatched his phone back, a muscle in his jaw jumping he was clenching it so hard.
“You should’ve mentioned your boyfriend, don’t you think?” he muttered, turning his back before adding just loud enough that only Kay could hear. “This is exactly why I don’t date. Everybody lies.”
Dan looked between them, confused by the sudden tension. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. We’re finished here.” Ethan’s tone was clipped and aggressive as he made his way to the entrance.
Kay’s shoulders lifted into a tight knot of annoyance. Why did she have to be so ridiculously attracted to a man who had been friendly and kind but then did a complete one-eighty and behaved like a jerk? And why on earth did his disbelief feel so hurtful? She didn’t even know the man; she shouldn’t care what he thought.
“You’re right,” she agreed in a stony voice, damping down her rioting emotions and out of control Shadows. “We are definitely finished.”
She turned to Dan and smiled as widely as she could with her head pounding. Her Shadows flared, trying to reach for Ethan even as he walked away, and she hauled them back. “Sorry, Dan, I don’t have a boyfriend; maybe you can give me a clue?”
“Blond guy, tall, muscles, says his name is Zach. Shall I let him in?”
This time her smile was genuine. “Sure, you can let him in. He’s myfriend.”
She lifted her chin, hoping she looked cool and polite as Ethan jumped out the back of the ambulance. Her Shadows fell to her belly, but she ignored the feeling of loss. She had no time for that kind of game. So, her Shadows had liked him… it didn’t have to mean anything.
