If he only knew the half of it. “I’m voracious actually. I try and read everything I can get my hands on. Cookbooks, books on philosophy, history, alchemy, love and relationships, spell books. Reading became the one thing that got me through the really hard nights at the hospital when my mom was dying.”
His gaze filled with understanding. “That must’ve been very difficult for you.”
She hadn’t meant to say that last part aloud. She could blame it on the stress and the scotch. But his sensitive reaction took her by surprise. Tilting her head to the side, she gestured to the bookcase, hoping to lighten the mood. “It’s important to be up on a lot of different subjects for my podcast.”
“You have a podcast? That’s cool.”
Who was he kidding? He had to know that she auditioned for a spot on WRHL radio. She contemplated asking him flat-out if he had anything to do with leaking the investigation on the coven to the station manager since the two seemed to be buds but thought better of it. There were more important things at stake right now. Finding Brooke was the only thing that mattered. She’d put her differences with him aside because she needed his help. If she ticked him off, she wasn’t sure if he’d keep her in the loop, let alone allow her to be involved.
“I can see how apprehensive you are about all this. The last twenty-four hours must have been quite traumatic for you. Perhaps you’d like to talk to someone? I’m sure my partner Natalya Dubrosky would be more than willing.”
She tensed under his sober regard, hating the fact she was so transparent. It was clear he was uncomfortable, and she couldn’t blame him. He was a handsome, eligible bachelor. He didn’t need her cramping his style. No, this wouldn’t do at all. She straightened and took a step away from him, needing some distance. “There’s no need. I’m sorry for putting you out like this.”
“It’s my job, Miss Howe. I’m following protocol.” Shutters clamped down on those ice-blue eyes, the warmth from a moment ago now gone.
The sudden shift in his demeanor made her chest grow tight. “Of course, protocol.” It was high time to get any silly romantic fantasies about him out of her head. “I appreciate what you’re doing…really I do, but hopefully, I’ll be out of here tomorrow. Whatever’s going on in my head is nothing for you to be concerned with. Finding Brooke and putting this maniac to justice is my main priority, my only priority, and should be yours.”
He closed the distance between them in a blur. “You don’t need to tell me how to do my job.”
“I didn’t mean—”
He placed a gentle finger on her lips. His touch seared her, leaving a trail of heat and raw need. He took a step away like he’d been burned. “There’s no need to explain yourself. Please let me know if there’s anything you need.” He glanced at the bed. “You’re probably exhausted. You should get some sleep.”
“Yeah, like that’s going to happen,” Gillian said under her breath. “I’d like to take a shower. I, um, also wanted to say I appreciate everything that you’re doing.”Talk about awkward.
His gaze bore into hers, hot and intense. “You’re welcome. There are fresh towels in the bathroom. I sleep upstairs in the master suite but not while you’re staying here. I’ll use the room across the hall for the most part. I need to remain close to you at all times to make sure you’re safe, especially tonight. They’ll be looking for you.”
Power and strength practically radiated from his pores. It made her feel safe and on edge at the same time.
She let out a nervous giggle. “Surely that’s taking it a step too far.”
“You threatened Lawrence’s reputation, which is everything to him. It’s how he built his empire. And now the truth has come out. It’s all going to come crashing down. You’re our prime witness in this investigation, which means he’ll want you out of the way. Who knows who he’ll send for you? I still don’t believe we were followed, but that doesn’t mean I can afford to get sloppy. I’m not taking any chances with your life.” The fierce look in his eyes made her breath hitch. He pointed to the chair. “Granted, it’s not ideal, but this will be my bed for the night.”
Her whole body liquefied. At that moment she could have been knocked over with the brush of a feather. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any more uncomfortable, the hits kept coming. She prayed for peaceful dreams, free of dead cats, blood rings, trancing, and tall, dark, brooding vampires for that matter.
Chapter 9
Walking into his bedroom on the third floor, Garrett placed his phone on the nightstand and peeled off his clothes, leaving a trail on his way to the shower. Yet another night he’d be taking a cold one. Not that it would do much to cool his ardor.
Hell, he’d been taking cold showers for months now. Having Gillian a breath away was going to be excruciating. He glanced down at the hard ridge of his erection. From the very beginning, his reaction to Gillian Howe had always been the same. His body had been on a heightened sense of alert all day long, since the moment he found her in Starbucks. Guilt made his gut clench. He had no business checking her out when she was vulnerable, in fear for her cousin’s life.
He glanced at his phone, still nothing about Lawrence. This case beckoned him, and yet, his mind was too preoccupied with Gillian. He couldn’t let this go on. She was occupying way too many of his thoughts as it was, which meant he needed to find another way to draw the head of the Brotherhood out ASAP. Endangering her life and using her as bait was a terrible option. The more time he spent with her, the more he realized she wasn’t only beautiful, but caring and altruistic. How could he willingly put her in danger? Frankly, the captain’s plan sucked. Despite his misgivings, he’d have to tell her the truth at some point. She’d been through hell and back tonight, no need to pile it on.
The downstairs shower turned on, and his whole body tightened in anticipation. It was like having an invisible string pulling at him twenty-four-seven.
All night long he had become painfully aware of her every move and her scent. Touching her casually ignited a simmering flame ready to blaze into an inferno. He wanted to do a hell of a lot more than touch. He wanted to taste her and explore every inch of her skin. He’d spread her legs and spend hours giving her unimaginable pleasure.
The last thing Garrett ever expected to do was bring her here in the middle of the night, but what choice did he have? Lawrence wouldn’t stop pursuing her, and he wouldn’t trust anyone else to protect her.
A part of him still couldn’t believeshewas in his apartment. He’d fantasized about it more times than he could count. A rope of excitement coiled down his spine. He’d been fantasizing about getting her alone for months. He wanted to talk to her, get to know her better…learn everything about her inside and out. Tonight, he’d gotten more than he bargained for.
Sex had always been fulfilling, but with Gillian he suspected, it would be exhilarating and addictive, the kind of connection any man or vampire would give his soul for. He groaned in frustration. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.
Living under the same roof with her was going to be pure torture. He had to talk to one of the team to find out if they had any leads. He picked up his phone and shot out a group text to Alex, Cayden, and his partner. Then, he plugged his phone in the charger, not expecting to hear back until the morning.
After he went to his closet and gathered some dress shirts, slacks, jackets, and belts, he laid them on his bed. Muttering a curse, he walked to his dresser, and pulled out boxers, socks, and some pajama pants, enough to move into the downstairs guest room for a stretch.
By the time he made his way into the bathroom for his shaving kit, his thoughts spun in a thousand different directions. The water cut off downstairs, and after a few minutes, he heard the soft footfalls of Gillian headed back to her room. When the door shut, the sound of her quiet sobs pierced his chest like a knife.
