Page 37 of Knight's Fall

“I don’t mind cooking something.”

“As much as I would love to taste something you cook just for me, I don’t want you working. I want it to be just me and you. Ever been to Mama Bella’s?”

Her mouth watered as the suggestion brought to mind a garlic butter shrimp scampi that was so good, she couldn’t replicate it in her kitchen. “Yes. I love it.”

“I’ll pick you up at your place. One hour, Courtlyn. I can’t wait longer than that.”

“That’s all the time I need. I can drive us.”

“Nope. My doctor cleared me to drive today. You’re not to do anything but look beautiful and have a good time.”

“One should be no problem. The other…well, I’ll do my best.”

His finger caressed her chin, nudging her to look at him. She shouldn’t have because his pale eyes had darkened with need, and she was lost in the hypnotic swirls of his irises.

“You won’t have a problem with either. Go. I’m going to stay a little longer so Mo can burn some energy.”

He stood before she could respond and whistled loud enough to gain the attention of all the dogs. Mo nudged Bogie, and the two came running. Wings secured Bogie to his leash before handing it to Courtlyn. She stood, smiled tentatively in his direction, and started to walk. Bogie whined and tried to jerk his leash so she’d let him go back and play with his new friend, but she kept walking. The Corgi hurried to keep up.

∞∞∞

His eyes narrowed as he watched her. Her step was different leaving than it was arriving. It was lighter, quicker. Her expression was dreamy, like the nerdy girl who was asked to prom by the most popular boy in school. She didn’t seem to mind the antics of the yappy little dog at her feet.

He didn’t like it. He shifted his attention from her to the guy. He didn’t look like much. His clothes were ill-fitting, and his hair was disheveled. He was too tall, too large and too loud. But he’d managed to turn her head without any trouble.

The man waited for her to walk out of his sight before he started his car, backed out of the parking spot and drove in her direction. Following her wasn’t necessary. He knew where she was going. She was married to her routine, which made things easier for him. Today, though, he sensed a change in her. Her neighbor was the reason, but what he needed to know now was just how deep the change went.

He’d seen the two of them together before. She wanted the long-haired hippie. He could see it in her body language as clearly as if she was wearing a neon sandwich board. The hippie was interested, but he’d underestimated the level of his interest. Their relationship had shifted at some point that had escaped his notice. He shouldn’t care. He had a job to do, and his time for planning and preparation was nearing an end. It would be one of the easier jobs he’d completed. Simple with no muss and no fuss.

She was meant to be his reward. A bonus he hadn’t expected to find on this trip. She was a rare find for him. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d experienced such a connection with another person, and he’d still have fingers left over. She was meant to be his to play with. She didn’t know it yet, and that made it all the more entertaining.

She pitied him. She thought him lonely and eccentric and harmless. He kept up the pretense because it suited him. It allowed him to get close without raising suspicions. It was an oddly satisfying game of cat and mouse. He was good at this game. He excelled at this game.

The neighbor could pose a problem with his plan. He didn’t like problems. His planning was extensive enough to prevent problems from forming. He’d considered her too easy of a project to warrant any problems. Clearly, there was more of a challenge here than he thought.

The realization didn’t change his plans. If anything, he could feel fresh adrenaline flooding his body. The rush gave him life.

His job demanded his attention first, and he would complete it. His reputation wouldn’t allow for any other alternative. Then he would take a break and begin his preparation to take what belonged to him. He could pity anyone who stood in his way, but he had no time for such emotions. Whatever came to those who interfered was nothing short of what they deserved.

No one stood in the way of him getting what he wanted and lived to tell the tale.

Chapter Eighteen

Courtlyn had few occasions to dress up, and her wardrobe showed it. Mama Bella’s was a casual dining restaurant, but she wanted to wear something nicer than jeans and a top she wore every day. While she showered, taking a few precious minutes to shave her legs and moisturize her skin, she tried to mentally comb through her closet for an appropriate outfit. Her memory came up empty as she concentrated on styling her hair and applying her make-up.

A deep dive into her closet revealed a sundress she’d forgotten she owned. The romantic floral print on a white background was feminine. The straps were wide, and the sweetheart neckline was modest. The fabric fit to her waist before flaring in a flowy skirt down to her ankles. She paired the outfit with sandals, and she kept her jewelry simple with her stud earrings and a delicate gold chain with a C-shaped charm resting against her throat. She felt pretty and could only hope Wings thought so as well.

Her heart pounded in her chest when she heard the knock announcing his arrival. Still scrutinizing her appearance in the full-length mirror on the back of her closet door, she tried to see herself through his eyes. All she could see was the woman with too many curves and too little confidence about to face the man of her dreams with a tiny sliver of hope that she would be enough.

Pulling open her front door, she sucked in a breath at the sight Wings portrayed. His hair was loose and shiny, his beard smooth. He wore jeans with a button-up shirt in a crimson color deep enough to make his eyes appear like glass. Those eyes watched her in the intense, unreadable way she had started associating with Wings. She wished she could read his thoughts, so she’d know if her effort was worth it.

After what felt like an eternity, he stepped forward until he crowded her space, holding her captive with his gaze. “You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks hurt with the wide smile splitting her face. “Thank you. You look great.”

He leaned down to place a light kiss on her forehead. When he raised his head, he returned her smile. “Yeah, well, if you don’t stop looking at me like that, we’ll never make it to dinner. You got everything you need?”

She scooped up her keys and phone from the side table and tucked them into the pockets of her dress. “All set.”

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