Her eyes widened as an expletive left his mouth.
Was it possible that he hated Gates more than she did?
She couldn’t help but sense that something else simmered beneath the surface. And now, a personal vendetta brewed between him and Gates.
And I’m going to find out what and why, she vowed determinedly. She just had to find a clever way to do it.
“You really hate him, don’t you?” she began cautiously, turning in the chair.
The warmth flowed through her as her knee brushed against him. Couldn’t she ever get close to the man without turning into a pile of mush? Well, that answer was obvious. Of course, she couldn’t. She forced her thoughts back to the conversation. “I mean, it sounds like this situation has really grown personal for you.”
“Why wouldn’t it?” he demanded sharply, anger edging his voice. “Gates is a piece of slime and getting criminals like him off the streets is my job. And I won’t apologize for feeling greatly justified when I’ve nailed him to the wall.”
“I know, Xander. And I would never want you to do that. I am not the enemy, okay?” Without thinking, she laid her hand atop of his on the keyboard. Her breath caught as he threaded his fingers with hers.
“I know you’re not,” he replied huskily, brushing his thumb along the top of her fingers. “You just want this to be over with. And you have every right to.”
She forced herself to breathe normally as the storm of sensations burst through her. “Xander, I need to say this,” she said softly, tightening her hand along his. “You will never understand how much I appreciate what you’re doing. And I will never be able to repay you or thank you enough.”
“I don’t want repayment. I just want you safe,” he said roughly before releasing her hand, and cleared his throat. “Can I get you something to drink, like coffee? It’ll only take a few minutes to brew.”
“Just show me where everything is and I’ll take care of it,” she insisted as she stood and almost toppled over on him. Heat surged through her as he grabbed her waist to steady her, and she stepped away quickly. “I need to feel like I’m being resourceful even if it’s in a small way. So, let me make the coffee.”
“Alright, come on,” he said, tugging her along as they moved to the small kitchenette. Finally, they stopped before the marbled counter which held a coffee maker, coffee grinds, cream, sugar, and other ingredients. “Everything is here. But, I want mine straight black. This is going to take awhile so I need to be fully alert.”
“Okay,” she agreed, already filling the pot with cold water from the tap. She slowly slid it back into its position onto the coffee maker. “Hard, black steaming coffee it is, then. I don’t need a babysitter to make coffee, so you can go.”
“Ouch, like always, you know how to make me feel wanted,” he chided teasingly as he turned. Then, he called over his shoulder. “To your right, I have another adjoining room if you’d like to relax. I suppose that you can call this my home away from home since I spend a lot of hours here. There’s a TV, sofa, recliner.” His next words were hesitant. “And if you get tired and feel like lying down, you can go upstairs.”
Her face flushed hot to her roots. “I’m fine for now,” she added quickly, busying herself as she poured the coffee granules into the coffee maker. “I’ll let you know if I do, okay. Now, go.”
She released her pent-up breath as he departed. As usual, she was struggling with hiding her feelings.
The coffee maker perked loudly as she wandered around the small kitchenette slowly. She reached out and was pleased that she’d found the tiny table nestled in the corner. Gratefully, she sank down onto the padded stool. And soon, the rich Brazilian aroma filled the small room. Moments later, she was standing before the counter again as she poured the richly, flavored brew into coffee mugs. She added a spoonful of sugar into her own cup before adding a sizeable dollop of cream. Standing on her tiptoes, she opened the cabinet door. She opened the box carefully before giving it a fast sniff test.
Wafer crackers.
Surely, he’d have a refrigerator as well, she reasoned as she treaded along the counter carefully. Just as I suspected, she thought with a smile as her hand landed on the fridge’s handle. The fridge hummed softly as she pulled the door open. She rummaged around it searchingly before her hand landed on the huge wedge of cheese. Carefully, she held onto the edges of the counter until she reached the coffee maker. She opened the drawer before searching its contents. Her hands landed on the thin plastic knife easily. Working quickly, she cut the wedge into slices.
She almost started when he returned.
“Apparently, somebody’s been busy,” he quipped, coming to stand alongside her. “Need any help?”
“Do you have a plate for the wafers and cheese?” she asked briskly, ignoring the somersaults turning in her stomach. “If you don’t have that, napkins will do.”
“What do you take me for?” he scoffed as he opened the cabinet near his head. Then, he said teasingly. “I never do anything half-way. Of course, I have plates. Here you go.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled, forcing her hands to remain steady as she lined the plate with the wafers and then placed the cheese at the center. She picked the plate up hastily before trailing towards the direction of the table again.
“I’ll grab the coffee.” He lifted the two mugs from the counter. Then he added with a short laugh, “I’m supposing this one’s yours since it’s swimming with loads of cream and sugar, right? And mine’s strong and black, just like I asked. Ok, sweetheart, lead the way.”
For a brief moment, she was taken aback. Didn’t he even realize that he was using these terms of endearments? Or maybe she was just making too much of it, she argued inwardly as she recounted the steps in her head. His heavy steps treaded behind her as he followed.
“Any more leads?” she asked pointedly, sliding back onto the stool as she laid the plate down. His stool scraped across the floor noisily as he pulled it out beside hers. His large frame brushed against hers as he sat down.
“Mildred Baker is the first one that I plan to cross off the list. I’m going to pay her a visit to find out what she knows about Gates. Then, I have some other options that I plan to explore,” he added evasively, his hands brushing against hers before he swiped a wafer from the plate.
Frowning, she nibbled on the wafer.
Why was he being so secretive again?
Wasn’t Gates just another criminal like he’d said before?
Or was there something more that he wasn’t revealing about her stalker?
“If the feds closed in on the illegal activities of the phony medical supply company, why isn’t this Mildred Baker serving time? I mean, why was she not convicted?” she asked curiously, her brows pinched in a frown as she crunched on the wafer. The coffee mug warmed her hands as she picked it up. She sipped on the hot brew slowly before asking, “Does she still live in Atlanta?”
“Bryce Institute is her home now. Records indicate that she took an insanity plea and has been at the institute for a few years now. Only problem is, the woman truly is insane based on what I’ve found out. She’s been diagnosed as bi-polar and schizophrenic. I’ll be more than lucky to get a coherent statement out of her. But, it’s worth a try.”
“So, when are we going?” she asked quickly, turning in his direction. “Are we going today?”
“It’s too late in the evening to go knocking on the doors of a mental institution. Even I have to admit that being around all that misery is stifling.” Then, he added under his breath. “Besides, we aren’t going anywhere. I’m going to handle it, and you’re staying out of it. It’s too dangerous. Case closed.”
She let out a sharp gasp before slapping the mug down, and she hardly noticed the burning sting as the hot coffee splashed across her hand. The anger surged through her as her chin jutted out stubbornly. “You can’t be serious! I have a right to know every aching detail of what’s happening here. In case you didn’t know it, I’m the
one being stalked. Not you,” she added sharply, dropping the half-eaten wafer onto the table in disgust. “And you’re still lying to me. I won’t allow you get away with it any longer.”
“And what do you mean by that?” he demanded, his own tone dripping with anger. “I have been nothing but forthright with you about---”
“No, you haven’t!” she argued back, her hands balling into tight fists. She didn’t know who she was angered at more, him or herself! “You haven’t told me how Gates keeps getting into my apartment undetected. He’s not breaking in. He’s just there! And you know the answer. You know the reason why. And you’re going to tell me, right now.”
Chest heaving uncontrollably, she faced in his direction.
Blowing an exasperated breath, Xander stood. “That’s enough, Nicole. If you believe that I would lie to you, then there’s no point in me---”
He stiffened when she grasped his hand tightly.
“No point in demanding a truth that you know?” she exclaimed as her own exasperation mounted. “How can you stand here and lie to me like this?” Hurt laced her tone as she spoke again. “I understand that you think that you’re protecting me. But, you can trust that I believe in you. I just need you to believe in me. Believe me when I say that I’m strong enough to handle this---strong enough to handle anything.”
The tension grew taut as neither of them spoke.
“Why are you shutting me out?” she asked again hurtfully.
Finally, he broke the silence. “I’m not keeping anything from you, ok? And I have told you everything that I know about Gates.” Her hand tightened along his as he moved to pull away.
“You’re lying to me,” she whispered, her eyes filling with fresh tears. “I know you are. I thought that I could trust you. I suppose that I was wrong.” She missed his closeness immediately as she dropped his hand. She turned away from him. “And like I told you earlier, I will discover the truth with or without your help.”
Sighing heavily, he grasped her hand. “Nicole, listen to me---”
“Take your hands off of me,” she said firmly, pulling free. “I can’t deal with you right now.”
He balled his hand into a fist. “Ok, I’m sorry,” he said, and his warm breath teased her black tresses. “I won’t do it again.”
The tension killed the silence again.
She pushed off the stool, and then hugged her body as she stood. Yet, it wasn’t enough to ward off the chill of his betrayal.
“Nicole---”
“Didn’t you say that you had more leads to track down?” she asked as she dismissed him, stepping away when he moved closer. “I don’t want to get in the way of your work.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that you’re not in my way?” he cut in angrily. “And no matter what you think, I’m doing this to protect you.”
With those angry words, he departed.
She brushed the tear from her cheek.
Why did she even believe for one second that they were making headway in their relationship?
Relationship, she scoffed, edging slowly towards the other adjoining room. What relationship? There was none!
After reaching the adjoining room, she sank down onto the leather sofa gratefully. Just like everything else, it held his manly scent and it swathed her in a secure cocoon. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the cushions.
How could she withstand even more heartbreak?
Chapter 12
The computer monitor faded to black as he shut it off.
Closing his eyes, he rubbed his cramped muscles tiredly.
“Damn it,” he said, balling his hand into a tight fist. “There has to be more.”
Even after hours of countless of searching, he’d come up empty-handed.
His eyes went to the digital wall clock.
8:30 pm.
Sighing heavily, he leaned back in the black, swiveled office chair. As he tented his large hands together, a deep frown creased his forehead.
What should he make of these latest findings?
No doubt, Gates had been deeply involved in more than one illegal pursuit. And it would take a substantial amount of time to dig through all of it.
And it was time that they couldn’t afford or didn’t have.
Gates was a loose cannon waiting to explode at any given moment.
Unfortunately, Nicole was in the line of fire.
His frown deepened as he stood.
Scouting out the undergrounds for the so-called vampire league was next on the agenda, and there was no telling how ugly things would get.
That only meant more danger for her.
The room was draped in darkness except for the faint light glowing from the desktop lamp. He moved from behind the desk before treading towards the kitchenette.
Unsurprisingly, it was empty since it’d been a couple of hours since they’d both departed it in anger. No lights shone in the adjoining room when he reached it. But, still he could see her soft form silhouetted on the sofa as she slept peacefully. She hugged the pillow childishly against her chest. At some point, she’d pulled the light cotton throw over herself. And only her head peeked above it.
A heavy scowl wrinkled his forehead.
She had every right to be angry with him. He wasn’t revealing the whole, ugly truth. But, she’d only be hurt if he did, he rationalized.
Not that she’d believe him anyway.
Vampires, dragons, lycans, and other immortals were supposedly fictional.
But, unfortunately, they really existed.
He was one.
And like them, he would be branded a monster.
His steps were light as he stopped alongside the sofa. Hands trembling, he brushed the soft tresses away from her forehead. “Nicole,” he murmured, shaking her gently. “It’s time to get you home.”
“Xander,” she spoke softly, her lips curling in a smile.
He inhaled sharply as she grabbed his hand, and her cheek was silken as she rubbed it against his large hand. Keen, sensual awareness slammed into his gut. And he resisted the burning urge to kneel down alongside her and whisper his every naughty desire.
Confusion marred her features as her eyes snapped open. Then, her awareness returned as she dropped his hand immediately and sat up. “What time is it?”
“8:30,” he said hoarsely.
Things were spiraling out of control. And it was up to him to make sure that their strong bond didn’t deepen any further. But, how would he be able to maintain a safe emotional and personal distance from her? It was becoming close to impossible.
Frowning deep, he stepped away from her.
“Did you find out anything more?” she asked anxiously, pushing the light throw off as she sat up. Then, more accusation filled her tone. “Or is it something else that you plan on keeping secret.”
“Don’t start that up again,” he retorted angrily, whirling around to face her again. “There’s nothing new. And the only thing that I’ve followed up on is the Mildred Baker lead. So, drop it with these spoiled childish antics.”
The anger laced her tone again as she spoke. “Whatever you say, Mr. Sullivan.”
“Oh, so we’re back to that, huh?” he snapped. “Very well, Ms. Williamson. If it’s formality that you want, you got it.”
With those angry words, he strode from the room.
Her lips trembled as he left the room. “I will not cry,” she whispered to the darkness as she stood. “I will not cry.”
Moving slowly, she retraced her steps. Within seconds, she’d passed through the kitchenette and was back in the main office. Walking stiffly, she retrieved her coat after stopping beside the chair. She stepped aside when he moved to help her. “I can do it myself, thank you” she added smartly.
After putting it on, she snatched up her purse.
“Of course, Ms. Williamson,” he muttered sarcastically as he shrugged into his own. “Are you ready?”
She gave a fast nod.
And
for a second, she was ashamed of her own behavior as she followed behind him.
But, he deserved her disdain, she argued inwardly.
Still, she missed the natural rapport that had always been between them.
Maybe it’s for the best, she thought, pulling the coat snugly around her as the cold blast of air hit her face. But, she didn’t resist when he grabbed her hand to assist her. Her heels clicked across the pavement lightly as they crossed the dimly lit parking lot. She released his hand once they reached the passenger’s door. She got in quickly after he opened it and muttered a polite thank you before he slammed it closed.
Soon, the European sports car joined the other cars as he pulled onto the busy streets. She hugged the passenger’s door miserably as the tires rolled across the smooth asphalt. And if she thought things were tense before she’d been wrong. Now, it was nearly suffocating her.
“Do you suppose that we can be civilized long enough to grab something to eat, Ms. Williamson?” he asked coolly. “What do you want to eat?”
She could feel his hard stare as he looked at her. “I’m not really hungry,” she mumbled under her breath, still not looking his way.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You have to eat something,” he protested irritably. “You haven’t had anything since lunch. I understand that you’re upset with me---”
“Upset doesn’t even begin to cover it,” she snapped, sitting taller in the seat as she turned towards him. “How about infuriated, steaming, irate? Xander, I’m so mad at you that I can’t even think coherently!”
“Well, at least we are on a semi-talking level again,” he quipped half-jokingly. “Let’s say we call a truce, admit that in a sense we were both wrong. Then, we’ll grab a pizza, beer, and then toast chocolate marshmallows for dessert. How does that sound?”
The embarrassment flooded through her as her tummy rumbled in protest. Then, humor filled her tone. “You know just what to say to make me give myself up, don’t you? And yes, that does sound good to me.”
“Truce then?” he asked, and she could feel his stare again.
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 29
