Page 24 of The Gargoyle's Gift
“I shouldn’t stay,” he said, suddenly uncomfortable. “I just wanted to be sure nothing had been taken. You’ll bring them back tomorrow?”
“If you like. I made some good headway tonight. I was only trying to be efficient.” We both knew I was lying. I’d taken them to provoke him, left evidence it was me even. “Were you out causing trouble? Anything I should know about?”
He sat stiffly on the opposite sofa, one hand reaching to rub at his achy leg the moment he was off his feet. “Nothing noteworthy, just a visit to a tavern with… an old friend,” he said.
“Mmm.” Heat bloomed in my cheeks, an unexpected flare of jealousy that took me by surprise.
Gaius rubbed at the space over his heart with the heel of his hand, the same place that was now burning in me, as well. Thebond didn’t care to be ignored, especially when we were in such close proximity.
“I am truly sorry, Lovette.”
“Your letter was very sincere, but I appreciate you saying it, as well. I could certainly have said some things differently myself.”
He looked up, gaze tortured. “You spoke the truth, nothing more. For what it’s worth… you were right.” He swallowed, as though the words scratched his throat on their way out.
“That’s … Thank you.”
He gave a gentle nod, and I saw it again, his exhaustion. The scent of hoppy ale and salty tavern stew lingered on his skin.
“Let me see,” I said as I traded my seat for the one next to him. He stiffened as my shoulder brushed his arm. “Your leg. Let me see.”
“I’m fine.”
I sighed, boldly reaching out with my hand and gripping his jaw. “I’m too damn tired to argue with you, Gaius. I can tell you’re hurting. Let me see your leg. Now. Please.” Eyes wide, he swallowed again, turning to the side as he allowed me to pull his calf over my knees. With my fingers, I probed the tight muscles and made sure the bones and ligaments were where they should be. “You need to use your cane,” I said, returning his foot to the floor.
He scowled. “It makes me look weak.”
“Notusing it will actuallymakeyou weak, stubborn man. It’s a tool, much like your sword, nothing to be ashamed of. Didn’t Imogen make it for you? Is that not enough reason to use it?”
He actually snorted a laugh. “Fair point.”
“It’s good for balance, support. You need it.”
“Doctor’s orders?” he teased, good humor sending a rush of heat through me.
“Damn right. I'm no physician, though.”
“Close enough, healer. And who am I to argue with such an authority.” His sigh was deep and long-suffering.
I laughed outright then, appreciating how his entire face changed when he smiled in response, becoming younger somehow. “You’d argue with me on principle, no matter what I said.”
His grin widened, and my pulse sped up to the point of leaving me lightheaded. “Perhaps.” His voice went breathy and low. “Maybe I like the way you fight with me, Little Dove. Not many are brave enough to face me down the way you do. It does something to me.”
“Oh?” My face was on fire as he stared at me, the tension between us a thick cloud of lust and uncertainty.
I had no idea how to do… whatever this was. Everything was new, thrilling. Terrifying. The bond smoldered hot under my ribs, my heart thumping so hard I was surprised I couldn’t see it through my shirt.
“Why do you have this effect on me, Lovette? I can’t think past you. You’re always there, in all the places you shouldn’t be. My head, my sheets. Your little tools hidden among the drawers in my armoire. Even tonight, I was with your father, of all people, and all I wanted to do was see your face. I wanted you to be proud of me for doing the right thing.”
“You were with my father? He’s the old friend?”
“Yes.”
“What right thing were you doing?”
“We both apologized.”
“You did?” I nearly squealed the words, they came out with such enthusiasm.
