Page 119 of Stone Temptation

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s fine. I was feeling it too.”

Dangerous words, them…

“You were?”

I glanced at him, almost melting under his sunshine smile.

He really made it hard to dwell in the darkness.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s get out of here.”

Were we going back to mine to cross a line?

“Spoke to Carissa,” he said via the amulet.

“Oh?”

We stepped outside, his wings out. He relayed his exchanges with his boss and Dane to me.

His proactiveness over Finn put a spring in my step.

I nestled into him, ready for flight, for more.

No. Not more. Not now.

Why not?

“It does make sense for me to have the ring,” I said. “Maybe I should be closer to it.”

“What? By moving into the tower?”

The idea hurt my soul. “It might be?—”

“I ain’t living in there, and neither are you.”

I gulped under the volume of his rebuttal.

“No pissing way!” he roared, increasing his speed.

Sorry I even suggested it.

Tom and Maren sat at my dining table with a bag of bagels.

“Oh. Hi.” I hung up my keys.

Maren was sniffing a packet of smoked salmon paste. “Hello, darling.”

Tom got to his feet, introducing himself to Asher.

My bodyguard shook his hand, no longer angry over my suggestion. “Nice to meet you.”

My friend turned to me. “Sorry, mate. Couldn’t wait until later. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry.”

I cleared my throat. “What are you doing here?”

“Didn’t you hear me?” Tom countered. “I’m worried. You being gargoyle marked drove me crackers, so I came straight over. Where have you been? Are you okay? Can’t believe Seth hurt you. Actually, I can. He’s a twat.” He cracked his knuckles. “Think I can get away with a few right hooks before he tears me in half? It’ll be worth it.”

The support from these two was always amazing. “He really isn’t worth the trouble. But thanks for the offer.”

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