Page 37 of Spies without a Face
Cassandra’s mouth twitched like a ghoul with a guilty grin. Nova chewed her lower lip. Zoe shifted in her seat while she glanced at the table. Lucas made zero attempt to suppress a mile-wide smile.
I put my hands flat down on the table. “All right, let’s make it clear. I do not need any help with my love life. If I wanted to date, I would be dating. I don’t need my staff playing supernatural matchmakers.”
“You’re not interested in Austin at all?” Zoe asked, appearing surprised.
I was just as surprised by her question. Zoe was even more career focused than I was, so she was the last one who I’d expect to hear this from. But then she met Lucas, and he softened some of her uptight, serious edges. Since I’d played matchmaker myself in teaming them up as partners, I should have a sign reading hypocrite mounted in my office. But I was also their boss. I couldn’t have my staff manufacturing scenarios to energize my dull love life, especially for their entertainment.
Cassandra scoffed, “It all worked out all right in the end.”
I shot her a look. “Cassandra.”
“What? He seems like a nice guy. He took care of getting you home safely.” She leaned forward with an enthusiastic expression. “Besides, he’s big, burly, and easy on the eyes.”
Yes, he was in fact all of those things. And the way he kissed last night would put the curl in the Hollywood version of a witch’s shoes.
“And you looked great together,” Lucas added. He fanned his hand before his forehead. “Hot couple alert.”
“We arenota couple.” I sighed. “Listen up, everyone.” I straightened and raised my voice. “We’re at work. We have more important things to worry about over who I am or am not dating. My love life is off limits.Capiche?”
* * *
When I returned homeafter work, I glanced over at Austin’s house. A light was on where he lived on the third floor. He was home. A strange flutter arose. Why did seeing that light give me a hit of dopamine?
I wanted to see him again. Maybe I should ask him if he wanted to order takeout. After all, I didn’t feel like cooking tonight, and I hadn’t brought him anything to welcome him to the neighborhood.
I needed to think about it. All we did was kiss last night. That didn’t mean anything, that it would lead anywhere. I was far too guarded to think we’d leap into any sort of relationship after a kiss.
Besides, I had to feed the cats before I did anything else. I stepped inside my house. While I took off my shoes, the three needy kitties trotted over from different directions.
“Hello, ladies.” I bent down and greeted them as they each rubbed against my leg, claiming me. Or, more likely, hurrying me up to get their food. I might be able to wait for dinner, but they sure wouldn’t.
Once in the kitchen, I opened a cabinet and pulled out three bowls. The sounds of meowing encouraged me to move faster. They had dry food at will but still sang a chorus of persistent meows for more food. Cats!
After I opened the cans and scooped out the wet food into their bowls, I carried the dirty bowls into the sink. When a face appeared in the window before me, I gasped and stepped back, dropping the bowls with a clang.
Wait, maybe it was Austin on my back deck. My fear turned to excitement. Then I discerned the features out there in the darkness. The dark eyes that probed mine weren’t Austin’s gentle ones.
They were Marius’s.
He was back.
CHAPTER14
PANDORA
Iattempted to slow my racing breath and smoothed my hand down the front of my pants. Then I raised my chin and walked over to the back door.
After opening it, Marius strode over, his black cape swooshing around his calves.
“Marius, what are you doing here?”
He stepped inside my kitchen without waiting for an invitation. “I told you I’d be back.”
“Why?”
“To continue our conversation.”
I put my hands on my hips and released a slow breath. Seeing Marius did things to my body. My pulse raced faster, and I turned hyperaware of his presence. He excited me.
