Page 43 of Kiss of Magic

“Even after what happened earlier?” She blinked up at him. “Please, Blake. It’s not as if I can run off.”

“It’s not safe,” he grumbled, but not as strongly as before. She pushed her advantage.

“No-one knows we’re here. And Ididsave your life. Isn’t that worth a teeny reward?”

Blake hesitated. She had a point. No-one knew where they were. And shehadhelped him back in Baltimore. In fact, she’d saved his life twice now.

He was also finding it hard to argue with a woman who was essentially naked.

“One drink,” he said at last. “Then back here. No argument. You got that, Blue? I’ll put you over my shoulder and carry you back if I have to.”

Her face lit up.Christ, she’s gorgeous.He clamped down on that unhelpful thought straight away.

“It’ll be fun,” she said. “And who knows? Maybe you can relax long enough to smile.”

“You’re hilarious. Get some clothes on. It’s damn distracting talking to you like this.”

He strode out.

It took half an hour before she emerged from the bedroom. Blake was reading an old copy of Time Magazine left behind by a previous occupant. When the door opened he looked up, ready to make a quip about glaciers melting while she’d been getting ready. The words lodged in his throat.

Dani had found a dress which hugged her figure and skimmed her bottom. Her hair was twisted up into a messy ponytail. She was wearing her sneakers instead of heels but that didn’t detract from the overall impact.

He was on his feet in a second.

“No. No way. You’re not going out like that.”

“What are you, my dad?”

“Go put something else on.”

“For someone who’s dragging me to my execution tomorrow, you seem weirdly concerned about my clothes.”

“Only if they draw unwanted attention. And trust me, Blue, you’ll definitely draw attention dressed like that.”

“Oh?” She moved closer. “You think I look pretty?”

Goddamn it.His jaw tightened.

“You look like you need a lesson in hownotto stand out.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Fine.” She pulled on her denim jacket. “Happy now?”

Blake wrestled with his conscience. The sensible thing would be to make her go straight back into the bedroom and put on jogging pants and a T-shirt. Her curves were too noticeable, too eye-catching.

But it’s her last night.Despite everything he told himself about the hunter’s code, he couldn’t help remembering that.

He grabbed her arm and hustled her towards the door.

“Just one drink, Blue,” he reminded her.

She smiled to herself.

In her experience, it was never just one drink.

Twenty

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