Page 24 of Protected By the Gargoyle
Janie had packed enough clothing and toiletries for a few days. Would that be long enough to deal with this situation? He squared his jaw. Arto didn’t know. The demon must have come through somehow, somewhere, after they’d summoned it.
What it could have been doing during that time was unknown. All the sentries had been vigilant, but no one had detected anything until Arto sensed the demon outside of Janie’s place. That knowledge sent ice crawling up his spine, coiling with tension at the back of his neck.
What did it want with Janie?
He took a deep inhale. He knew. She knew. The demons had told her.
She was marked as one of the humans they could breed with. That meant that vile creature must be hunting her down for that revolting purpose.
Or it was because she’d summoned it.
Either way, Arto would never let it get to her. He’d do anything to keep her safe, even if it meant sacrificing his life.
She squirmed in the seat beside him, fidgeting with worry. Without saying a word, he raised his arm, and she curled against him like it was natural and supposed to be.
He bent and kissed the top of her head, a silent promise that he’d care for her. She lifted her head and peered at him. When their gazes locked, something hit him hard in the center of his chest, the certainty that she was his mate and he’d sacrifice anything for her happiness. His heart pounded with rapid fire as he searched the eyes of the woman he secretly loved.
The urge to claim her rose with pressing demand. He had to before a demon did. But he couldn’t, not without her consent. That would make him no better than a demon.
Locked on her gaze, his senses going haywire, he tried to read her. Did she feel the same way? The way her blue eyes darkened left him rigid with desire. He couldn’t be misreading this palpable connection between them in the confined space of the cab, could he?
Maybe so. It could all be him projecting his ever-present need for her as a mutual attraction.
His gaze lowered to her lips. How he wanted to bend down and taste them.
When Janie leaned up, his brain synapses collided. He’d yearned for this moment for so long, and the anticipation soaring through him left him as rigid as if in stone form.
She turned her head and kissed—his cheek.
“Thank you, Big Guy.”
Dazed, Arto struggled to pull himself out of the lusty haze. He blinked at her. “For what?”
“For always looking out for me.”
He forced himself to turn his head forward and snap himself out of the agonizing longing. He had to clear the brain fog. She’d kissed him on the cheek. That’s what a friend would do. The reality hit him like a cold wave.
She still thought of him only as a friend. Even if he knew she was the only one for him, she didn’t feel the same way. He had to squash the fantasies that anything more would happen.
He stared out the front windshield of the taxi as they approached the Seaport. He muttered, “Always.”
Once they reached the tower, he fought the despair taking hold. They entered the elevator, and her enticing scent tormented him. Would he forever long for her?
Yes, because she was his mate.
Once the elevator doors opened, she asked, “Where am I staying?”
In my room. In my bed. Stay with me.He nudged his chin up. “They’re setting up a room for you.” He brought her to the sitting area that was empty as all the sentries were out searching for a demon. “For now, you can wait here or go wherever you like. My room is available if you’re tired and want to rest.”
“I’m not tired. Here is fine.” She smiled.
He put her bags down. “Larissa should be here soon.”
“Good.”
He ground his jaw and fixed a steady gaze on her worried expression. “It will be okay, Janie.”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I hope so.”
