Page 19 of Fated to the Gargoyle
“Thisis fun,”Ipointed out with a smile. “Isn’tthis what sisters do?”
“Borrowclothes and things?”
Ichuckled. “FromwhatIsee onTV.”
“Butthey also argue over silly things.”
“Let’sskip that part for now,”Inoted.
“Deal.”Shesmiled as she nodded.
Finally, we decided on a pink dress.
“Havefun on your date,”Anyacalled out.
“It’snot a date,”Iprotested oh-too-quickly and then mashed my lips together.
“Suuure,” she said, dragging out the syllable with skepticism.
DUMONT
Aknock on my door startled me.I’dbeen waiting forEloise’sarrival, anxious with anticipation and the fear that she wouldn’t show.Iattempted to look as human as possible for her, my wings and tail retracted, although she wouldn’t be fooled.Shecould see me in a way that others couldn’t, seeing through my human-appearing veneer to the gargoyle beneath.Mypulse accelerated a notch asIrushed to the door in large strides.ThenItold myself to stay calm and not scare her away.
ButwhenIopened the door and spotted her there, strange vibrations fluttered through my veins.Shewore a pink dress that fell over her thighs, revealing her enticing legs.Herblonde hair fell in loose waves over her bare shoulders.Andher green eyes dazzled me from behind her glasses.
Shecame here to my apartment, my private space.Shetrusted me enough to be alone with me.Afterour rock-quaking kiss on the roof the other night,I’dbeen thinking about her for almost every second since.
Herunique fragrance reached me with that subtle floral and ocean scent.Ibreathed it, swallowing the moan of pleasure working its way to my lips.
“Youmade it,”Isaid and stifled an appreciative growl.Howeloquent.
Shesmiled. “Itwas tough to find, butImanaged to do so,” she teased.
Right, we were in one building, how difficult could it be?
“Comein.”Istepped aside.Asshe entered my apartment, my gaze locked on her.Howstrange it was to see a human in my private space.Notin a bad way at all.No, something about it struck me as perfect.
Sheglanced around my apartment.Itdidn’t have much furniture other than a black leather sofa and tables, butIkept it clean.
“It’sa nice place you have here.”
Ishrugged. “It’sjust me andIdon’t spend that much time here.”
Sheturned to me and her eyes flashed with a knowing glint. “Oftenout working?”
“Yes.”Thatwas part of whyIhardly spent time here.Myduties, my responsibilities—those things thatI’dbeen focusing on for so long, which now warred with my conscience now thatI’dmetEloise.Especiallywith how she’d dominated my thoughts for much of the day.Itwas no use trying not to think about her, and for one evening,Iwouldn’t fight it.Tonight, we could dine together without worrying about the outside world.Thesentries were on watch.Thehuman whomIfelt entrusted to protect was in my care.Thesame woman who had slammed into my world with such force from the moment we met.
Sheinhaled. “Itsmells so good in here.”
Thatwas because her scent perfumed the room.Butthat wasn’t what she meant. “IwishIcould take credit for it and sayImade it, butIdidn’t have time to prepare.SoIhad dinner deliveredfrom one of my favorite restaurants.Ithas the best seafood.Ilove the scallops and lemon-flavored potatoes.”
“Soundsperfect to me.”Thenshe tipped her head. “Doyou usually order out?”
“Ido.AlthoughIcan cook and enjoy doing so, it’s not somethingIhave the chance to do often.”
“Becauseyou’re the commander, right?” she remarked once more, already knowing my predilection of working too much.
“Right,”Iagreed. “Andit doesn’t make much sense to go to all that trouble for one person.”
