Page 9 of My Guardian Demon

Onyx leaned back against the counter beside the coffeemaker, waiting for the machine to finish. His hands gripped the counter, and he watched me as he waited. He remained quiet, which made his black eyes more unnerving. Unsettling.

"Why are you here so early?" I asked, ignoring his gaze. I picked up my coffee and took a sip.

"We've got a busy day ahead of us. We're going to the shooting range today. I was serious when I said I'd teach you."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't know you meant first thing in the morning. How do I know you aren't a serial killer? Maybe you're really going to take me to the middle of nowhere and murder me."

He didn't hesitate before answering. "If I was a serial killer, I'd have a better method than showing up at your front door, next door to my apartment, in the bright morning light without a disguise of any kind when there are security cameras in the hallway."

That was news to me. "There are security cameras in the hallway?"

Onyx raised his eyebrows at me. "You're asking the alleged serial killer?"

I sighed. "Fine. I don't think you're a serial killer, after all. But if we're going somewhere, you're going to have to wait for me to drink my coffee and get dressed."

"You mean you aren't ready?" he teased, a slow grin forming.

"You think my hair looks this good all the time?" I gestured to the wild bedhead I had going on then to my pajamas. "And I wear clothes like these every day?"

He laughed. "I can only hope. Bedhead and pajamas are my weakness. If I participated in 'long term,' I wouldn't complain about seeing those every day."

My lips parted at the off-hand compliment. I wasn't sure how to respond.

Onyx grinned and tipped his head toward the hall. "We're going somewhere. Get dressed."

The coffeemaker picked that moment to finish brewing and pour steaming coffee into the awaiting mug. Onyx glanced at the cup.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "There's sugar in the cabinet above the coffeemaker and a bottle of creamer in the fridge. Help yourself. I'll be right back."

I grabbed my mug and darted off toward the bedroom. I could've sworn I heard Onyx chuckle, but I was gone so fast I couldn't say for sure. "Take your time!" he yelled after me. "And wear something comfortable!"

Despite Onyx's words, I rushed. He unsettled me, and I didn’t want to make him wait long. I gulped the contents of my coffee mug, then stashed the empty mug on the dresser.

Clothes. I needed clothes.

After digging through my closet, I found a plain t-shirt, then I dug a pair of jeans and some underwear out of the dresser. I left behind a mess. So much for yesterday's organization.

Quickly, I changed and tugged the clothes on, then I sprinted across the hallway to the bathroom. I found my hairbrush and yanked the bristles through my hair.

"Owwww," I gasped.

Wait... why was I rushing? Did he unsettle me that much? I glanced at the mirror and laughed at myself. I looked like a madwoman. Onyx would wait, why was I doing this? He said take my time.

I slowed down and brushed my hair sensibly. When I was done, I put on my typical makeup, which only consisted of mascara and lip balm. At least with some light makeup and my hair combed, I looked human.

I shoved open the bathroom door and headed toward the kitchen.

Onyx sat at the counter and sipped his coffee, with no hurry in the world. He watched me walk into the kitchen and stop in front of him. That unsettled feeling hit me again. "Ready?" he asked. He looked at me with expectation.

"Ready."

"Excellent." Onyx held up his index finger in a "one moment" gesture and chugged the rest of his coffee. He stood, then carried the mug to the sink and rinsed it.

He turned and walked out of the kitchen toward the front door. "I'll drive," he said as he walked by.

I grabbed my keys and put on my crossbody purse then followed him.

Onyx opened the door and stood in front of it as he waited for me. His blank expression made him look like a guard on duty, waiting for me to pass.

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