6
FIONA
I wokewith a start as something clattered in the kitchen. I jolted upright, clasping the blanket to my chest. The light of dawn filtered through the curtains. I heard another muffled noise and eased out of bed, my pulse racing. Someone was in my apartment. No one other than the super had a key, so who the hell was it and how had they gotten in? I’d definitely locked the door after Zeke left last night. I was sure of that because I’d checked it several times before going to bed.
I tiptoed across the room, looking for something I could use to defend myself. A baseball bat would come in handy right now, but I didn’t have anything like that. I didn’t even have anything in approximately that shape. I scanned my dresser and shelves, my eyes settling on a pair of heavy stiletto pumps. I grabbed one of them and held it up like a hammer, ready to brain whoever had broken in.
My fingers curled around the edge of the door and eased it open. The bottom whispered over the carpet but I didn’tthink it had made enough noise for anyone to notice. I padded out, my bare feet silent on the floor. As I edged into the living room, I heard a murmured voice. People talking? Or just one person? I peeked into the kitchen and my shoulders slumped.
“For fuck’s sake, Zeke. You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing here?”
Zeke looked up from where he was setting up drip coffee on the kitchen counter. He tossed his shaggy hair out of his eyes and grinned. “I’m making breakfast. What does it look like I’m doing?” His gaze flew to the shoe. “Death by pump. Very Agatha Christie. Would you mind putting it down now that you know I’m not an intruder?”
“Still an intruder,” I muttered under my breath. “What time is it?”
“A little after seven.”
“Jesus.” I dragged my hand down my face. “And you’re here…why?”
He slid a paper bag I hadn’t noticed across the counter. “I knew you’d want to get an early start on our next steps.” He paused and looked me up and down. “Or was I wrong about that? Because if you’d rather spend the morning in bed…”
I groaned, the back of my neck heating as I realized that I was wearing a thin silk slip that barely brushed the tops of my thighs and made it perfectly clear I didn’t have a bra on underneath. I tucked my arms across my chest to hide my nipples, which were always perky in the morning. It had nothing to do with Zeke, no matter what the smug bastard might think.
I backed up, retreating toward the bedroom. “How did you get in here?”
He leaned one elbow on the counter and smiled lopsidedly. “King’s Security keeps spare keys for all of itsstaff members in case of emergency, or did you forget that?”
“This isn’t an emergency.”
He shrugged. “That’s your opinion. Why don’t you join me for breakfast? The coffee will be done soon and I have a berry Danish that’s calling your name.”
My lips parted in shock. “How did you know they’re my favorite?”
He touched the side of his nose. “A man has to keep his secrets.”
Nosy bastard. Yet something warm unfurled inside my chest at the thought that he’d paid attention to what I liked and gone out of his way to get it. While intrusive, there was something sweet about that.
“I’ll grab my robe and be out in a minute,” I said.
“Don’t feel like you have to,” he called after me.
I rolled my eyes as I unhooked my warmest robe from behind the door and slipped it on. No doubt he wouldn’t mind eating breakfast with me half-naked, but I didn’t intend to give him a show. I pulled on a pair of socks, drew in a steadying breath, and returned to the kitchen. He was now sitting on a stool by the breakfast bar, a coffee in front of him and a filled pastry of some variety on a plate in front of him. He’d dished up the berry Danish and another coffee for me.
“I added caramel syrup and a little milk,” he said as I pulled out the stool beside his. “I get the impression you aren’t a black coffee kind of girl.”
“I’m not, thanks.” I didn’t know what to make of his thoughtfulness. I’d always considered Zeke to be self-centered, but he’d been proving me wrong with every interaction over the past two days. That sense of shame bubbled up again. I had judged him more harshly than he deserved. I’d have to do better from now on.
I cut into my Danish and closed my eyes as I popped it into my mouth, the sweet tartness of the berries exploding on my tongue. When I opened my eyes, I found Zeke staring at me, his eyes fastened on my mouth.
I flushed, and my stomach flipped over. “Sorry, I really love these things.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He spoke in a rasp. “It’s sexy as fuck.”
My face flamed and I took another bite, trying really hard not to look like my taste buds were orgasming. “Are we starting with Bergen this morning?”
He nodded. “I thought we’d drop by the address listed on his DMV record. If we learn anything interesting from him, we can follow that up, or alternatively, we can move on to the artists with the criminal histories.”
“Sounds good.” Although my stomach churned at the thought of seeing Bergen again. I hadn’t seen him since the morning I’d woken in his arms, made us breakfast, and gone to work, clueless to the fact that he’d be gone by the time I returned and my life would be in tatters. “We should check in with Ronan too.”
