Page 31 of Protected By the Gargoyle
“Arto!” She slung her arms around his neck and hugged him. Pressed against the hard planes of his body, she exhaled. Relief spread through her after too many worries collided in her mind while he was out chasing danger.
He wrapped his arms around her and rested his hands against her lower back. Then he inhaled deeply.
Shifters and their sense of smell. They loved to sniff things. He’d told her more than once that she smelled good. That was courtesy of her toiletries.
Flustered, she dragged herself away from his muscular body. The intense feelings brought on after their earlier kiss battered with the more sensible reasoning she’d sought when talking to Larissa about it. Where did things stand with him now? And where did she want them to be?
She turned to Larissa. “Thanks for helping me get set up here.”
Her friend gave her a knowing glance. “Looks like you’re in good hands.” She closed the door before Janie could come up with a retort.
Arto stared down at her. “Are you alright?”
She tipped her head. “Yes. Shouldn’t I be asking you that? You were the one out chasing danger.”
“I’m fine,” he declared and glanced around the room. “Is this room okay? I know you’d rather be at home.”
“Sure. It’s cozy. Don’t worry about me.” She glanced at the bed and then at the wall that separated her room from Arto’s. She smiled and added, “Guess we’re neighbors for the time being.”
His gaze locked on hers. After several seconds, he repeated, “For the time being.”
She couldn’t read what he meant by that. Sometimes his intense looks disarmed her. She adjusted her stance and focused on the dire situation they faced. “Did you find anything out there?”
His mouth tightened into a grim line. “No.” He then gave her a quick update of his conversation with Roman about what could have happened. “What do you think?”
She blew some falling side bangs out of her face. “I have no clue. I’m not as familiar with the supernatural world as everyone else here and am the last person to ask.”
“But you’re smart, and I value your thoughts.”
The way he glanced at her did funny things to her insides. “Are you back for the night?”
His jaw twitched. “No. I’m only here to eat before I head out again. Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“No.”
“Join me?”
“Of course.”
Twenty minutes later, they sat at a long wooden table in a dining room styled in a medieval era. The gargoyles lived in such a sleek, modern tower, yet some of the ways they lived seemed reminiscent of another era.
The heaping portions of chicken marsala on her plate stirred her appetite. She inhaled. “It smells delicious.”
“There’s plenty more in the fridge. We order enough catering to feed a small army.” His lips curled up. “Literally.”
She laughed. After taking a bite of the delicious dish, she took a sip of pinot grigio. “When will you rest?”
“When Roman sends someone to relieve me. Until then, I’ll be in a restful state while in stone.”
“Can I do something? Anything? To help?” She frowned. “I hate thinking about you out there all night because of me.”
He reached across the table and touched her hand. “Don’t you put any of this on yourself or worry about me. Besides,” he paused as his lips slanted up. “I already feel better knowing you’re here.”
She swallowed. Although she hadn’t wanted to return to the tower after they’d summoned the demon, being here near Arto was more reassuring than being home alone.
“Arto, when you’re done, are you going to your room?”
“Yes. I should rest at some point before I go back out there.”
