Page 20 of Fated to the Gargoyle
Hergaze met mine, and in our connection,Isensed the solitary nature of a kindred soul. “Iknow what you mean.”Thenher lips spread into a smile. “Thankgoodness for takeout.”
Ichuckled. “Indeed.”Imotioned to theFrenchdoors that led out onto my terrace. “Ithought we could dine on the roof tonight, but the rain changed that plan.”
Eloiseslanted her head as she gazed outside a picture window. “Ikind of like it this way.Theraindrops falling outside the window look pretty.Andthe sound is soothing.”
Istepped behind her and followed her gaze.Whatsoothed me was just being near her again.Well, aside from her scent energizing me—driving me to that strange, heightened stateIhadn’t yet experienced.
“Nightslike this feel good whenIfly.Aftera hot summer day, the cool rain is refreshing on my wings.”
Sheturned to me with a wondrous expression.
“Ican kind of understand that—but while remaining with both feet on the ground.”Shegave me a mischievous smile again, one that sent a jolt of heat straight through me, coiling in my groin.
Myheart pounded for a few seconds beforeIremembered to jump into action and serve our meal.
Havinga private dinner at my place turned out to be a wonderful idea.Wedidn’t have to worry about sentries flying in and interrupting us.Thenagain, if that hadn’t happened, where would we have ended up?WouldEloisehave agreed to come to my room?
Thesimmering heat between us seemed to grow the more time we spent together.Everytime our eyes met, the longing inside me built more.Whenshe brought her fork to her lips,Icouldn’t stop myself from staring at them.Eventhe slight movement of her fingers gripping the stem of her wineglass captivated me.
“Thiswas absolutely delicious,” she said as she finished her plate, andIdevoured a second portion. “Nowonder it’s one of your favorites.”
“I’dlike to take you there one day,”Iblurted beforeIcould censor myself.Wouldshe want that?EvenifIcould mask myself as a human, she’d know she was out in public with a gargoyle.
Hereyes searched mine for several seconds.Sheraised her glass of wine as if considering before she took a sip.Whenshe set down her glass on the table, the wine left a sheen on her lips, drawing my awareness to them once more.
“Thatmight be nice.”
Nice.Tome, it would be more than nice.Tobe with my mate, having a normal sort of relationship like other shifters had with their partners, it would be—almost magical.
Itwasn’t somethingI’dconsidered as a possibility for me in the past, let alone with a human, but now…
Shelet out a doubtful sound. “Butwith the reasonI’mhere, that doesn’t seem to be possible anytime soon.”
Right.Herwords doused me with reality.Shewas here soIcould protect her, not woo her as my mate.Theconcept of gallivanting with her in restaurants throughMontrealwas ludicrous.
Ihad tried to keep our conversation light throughout dinner, focusing on the delectable flavors in the array of seafood dishes from scallops to shrimp scampi and the various sides.Shedidn’t need to worry about the possibility of threats outside.Thatwas my responsibility.
Forcingmy thoughts from what would likely never be to the moment we were sharing, we finished the meal with a sweet dessert wine and crème brûlée.
“Mmm, everything was wonderful,Dumont.Thanksfor inviting me.”
“Itwas all my pleasure.”AndImeant that.
Sheturned to the window and walked over to it.
“Wow, what a spectacular sunset.”Hervoice sound breathy as she admired the view.
Istepped behind her, more interested in her than anything outside.
“Spectacular,”Iagreed and drew in her scent once more.
“You’reso lucky to live in a place with a view like this.”Sheturned to me with lips parting as if about to continue, but when our gazes locked, she took in a raspy breath.
Mypulse thundered a more insistent beat with her so close to me.Ayearning to touch her grew, and my hand raised to her face almost of its own accord.
“Solucky,”Irepeated.
Ilifted a strand of her blonde hair that had fallen across her cheek.Itglided like satin through my fingers asIpushed it off her face.Shewatched me, but when my fingers brushed her soft skin, her eyelids fluttered closed behind her glasses.AsIstroked her cheek, she leaned toward my hand.Bloodsurged through my veins.Icouldn’t think of anything aside from how muchIwanted her.
