Page 10 of Protected By the Gargoyle
“Thanks, but there’s no need. I have a place. Besides, I already feel better with you training me. More capable of defending myself, even if what we worked on today is only the basics. Probably not sufficient to stop a demon.”
His muscles tensed. “I’d never let one get to you.” He ground his teeth since that wasn’t true. A demonhadgotten to her after taking him by surprise. “Again,” he clarified.
She inclined her head. “Don’t you go down that path again, Arto. What happened isnotyour fault.” Her tone turned more adamant. “You can’t take responsibility for what they did.”
They’d talked about this many times before. “You’re right. I know we all think about what we could have done differently, but it doesn’t change anything.”
She placed her hand on his knee and gave him a warm smile. “And the bottom line is you got me home. Safe. That’s why I’m here now.”
After she pulled her hand away, his gaze went down to his leg, which cooled without her touch. Did she have any idea how that small gesture affected him? Electric heat tingled where she’d touched him, and he yearned for more of it—a touch on his cheek, his chest, sliding down lower…
“I’m always here for you, Janie. I’d do anything to protect you.” He brought his gaze up to meet hers. “You know that, right?”
“I do, and I appreciate it. You’re a good friend, Arto. I’m lucky to have you in my life.”
A good friend.Those words grated like barbed wire over his heart. That’s all she thought of him—a friend. He knew this. As their relationship developed more roots over the last several months, he thought they were building something deeper. But then, she’d sliced off that branch of hope when she said they were better off as friends.
Friend-zoned. Ouch. That’s what he’d learned while watching the comedies with her that she liked.
Having her as a close friend was better than not having her in his life at all. Plus, he hadn’t given up on them yet. It wasn’t as if he had much choice—she was the one for him. So, all he could do was be there for her. And if she never felt the same way, then…
He released a slow, audible exhale from his nose. What would happen? Would he suffer a lifetime of yearning for love that was unrequited?
“You okay?” she asked him.
“Yes. Just thinking.”
“About?”
He adjusted his position on the sofa and blurted out something to mask his true thoughts. “What we should work on next. When you’re ready.”
She laughed. “Not today, Big Guy. I need to take it easy.”
“Of course.” He nodded. “How about I order us some food and we can have lunch on the roof deck?”
“In December?”
“Yes. The wind was calm during the flight from your house, and the sun is out.”
Her lips widened into a smile. “Sounds like the perfect reward after that workout.” She turned her hand upright. “Besides, this is New England. Even if it’s warm enough today, tomorrow, we could be bracing for a blizzard.”
He chuckled. “True.”
Forty-five minutes later, he carried a bag of panini they’d ordered from a nearby restaurant and headed to the rooftop. The potted plants were all taken inside for the winter. The sky was blue with a few clouds, and the sun shone brightly.
When a strong breeze rolled in, she shivered and braced her arms around herself. “Arto, this is what humans call chilly.” She giggled. “We don’t have shifter heat.”
“Sorry. Come here.” He raised his arm so she could lean against him. “I’ll keep you warm.”
When she curled up against him, he closed his eyes and savored the perfect moment.
“I’m totally stealing your body heat.” She snuggled closer. “My own personal heat machine.”
He chuckled. “Happy to be of service.”
They stood quiet for a minute while looking out at the harbor. One of the covered boats that served a lunchtime cruise returned to dock.
She turned to glance up at him. “Can we eat inside instead?”
