Page 32 of Dancing with My Elf
He grinned. “I’m here to do whatever you’d like with me. My body is but putty for your hands.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you always flirt so shamelessly?”
“It seems to pop up naturally around you.”
I grunted. “I hope other things don’t pop up around me.”
A surprised laugh rumbled from him. “What can I say, Zoe? You make my dragon roar.”
“What’s gotten into you? And ugh. How many times have you used that cheesy line at the club?”
“Never.” He shook his head once.
I snorted in disbelief.
“It’s true,” Lucas insisted and leaned forward. “I can’t go around flashing my dragon side to everyone I meet.”
“Still cheesy.” A part of me kindled with awareness inside. If I were truthful, I didn’t dislike his attention. “Is everything fun and games to you? Even after someone you know died?”
“No, but everything doesn’t have to be serious,” Lucas dismissed. “Tony knew that and lived to enjoy his life, just as he’d want everyone else to enjoy theirs.”
“I enjoy mine just fine, thank you very much.”
“Really?” he drawled out with skepticism.
“Yes, really.”
“And what have you done for yourself lately that’s fun?”
I squirmed as that had been an area I’ve neglected. “Now is hardly the time considering all we have going on at work.”
Lucas gestured to the desk calendar facing me, one that had an inspirational quote for each day. “And that’s been going on for how long?”
“A while now,” I admitted tentatively. “Since early fall. However, it hasn’t always been this intense.”
He studied me. “Do you ever take care of yourself, Zoe? You work hard. Do you ever treat yourself?”
“Sure.” I shrugged. “I eat right and try to get a decent amount of sleep each night.”
“Zoe?” he prodded, as if calling me out on a far from exciting routine.
“Ok.” I closed my laptop. “My life is boring compared to yours. But since I have no time to enjoy it, it’s not an issue.”
“Nope, that excuse isn’t going to cut it. Once you have some free time, we’re doing something fun.”
Fun. That was such a foreign concept of late. “Lucas, we had another death, which appears to be linked to dark magic. I can’t even think of anything else until we catch whoever is responsible.”
“And if you don’t, then what? You work yourself to the ground?”
“No, I, uh. Forget it, let’s get back to the case. You’re working tonight, right?”
“Yes.”
“I think I’ll stand watch near the club. Criminals often return to a scene. Maybe I’ll find something.” Since we not only had that witch’s report of being attacked by a demon in the area, but Tony’s murder, it appeared to be a hotspot for activity.
His eyes widened with worry. “You can’t sit out there alone.”
“Why not?”
