Page 8 of A Cold Fateful Night
Nodding she stepped forward and stopped. The bathroom had no door.Turning back to face him she was just about to comment as he spoke.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that." He gave her an apologetichalf smile that did nothing to soften his naturally stern face. Lasette foundherself wishing to see his real smile again. "I took the door off when Imoved in because it would stick and the other bathrooms are under constructionas well."
Ah, so that explained it. That must be why there was so littlefurniture in the large house. "When did you move in?" She asked.
Walking to the bedroom door, he put his hand on the doorknob as heanswered. "About six months ago." He paused giving her a waitinglook, but she was too stunned by his answer to say anything. "I'll be inthe living room." Closing the door behind him.
Lasette stood alone in the pitch black room for a moment beforefollowing the faint yellow glow from the bathroom. The bathroom like the otherrooms in the house was just as plane and empty. Smiling she thought of hisreaction if he saw her apartment. Colorful accent walls, tons of plants, andbright accent rugs might make him run for the hills.
Eyeing the doorless doorway that opened to the dark void of hisbedroom she reminded herself that she had nothing to fear from Dorian. Settingher gym bag on the counter she said a prayer of thanks when she found herclean, spare underwear tucked in a side pocket. Starting the water, shestripped and stepped into the shower. The hot water hit her frigid skin likeneedles, but it felt glorious. Using some of the body wash she had in her gymbag her fingers slipped against the slick bottle dropping it to the tiled floorwith a loud bang. Hoping Dorian didn't hear she quickly resumed latheringherself.
Putting another log on the fire, Dorian heard the clashing soundcome from the bedroom. His mind didn't take the time to rationalize the sound,he wasn't trained for that. Reaction, quick and decisive that was the key tostaying alive. Mass outages, severe weather, riots all were the breeding groundfor the criminal opportunist. Breaking into a big house on a night like thiswhile the police were stretched thin wouldn't be unheard of.
Quietly he slipped into the room.
Only the sound of the shower running disturbed the silent darknessof the room. Nothing was out of order. Scanning the room again he let his gazefall into the dimly lit bathroom. The shower was directly ahead of the bathroomdoorway allowing him a full undisturbed view of its occupant. The dim yellowglow from the lantern was a godsend. The weak light illuminated the tiny spacejust enough while leaving the darkness of the bedroom untouched.
Dorian could feel his pulse quicken as he watched her through theglass shower door. He should be feeling guilt, he wasn't. He should be turningaway, he didn't.
He told her she could trust him—he should not have.
Chapter 5
Wearing an oversized flannel button-down shirt and some too largesweatpants Lasette stood at the oven range watching the fish fillets cook. Onceshe heard the water start for Dorian’s shower, Lasette took the opportunity toinvestigate the fridge. Now that she was warm her body was starting toaggressively remind her that she hadn't eaten since she found that protein barin her gym bag.
Wrinkling her nose with a smile, she mentally correctedherself—not a protein bar.
What a particular man she thought, silent, gruff, and all aroundbrusque. He certainly wasn't the type of man that she ever dated. Flipping thefillets over in the sizzling butter she added a pinch more of seasoning. Thoughdespite his rough persona, Lasette couldn't help but react to the man.Underneath his tough as nails exterior, there was a good man who used hisstrength and expertise to save the life of a stranger in a time of need.Through those eyes that reminded her of rolling thunder clouds was a good manand she suspected a lonely man.
"Christ that smells good."
Turning to look over her shoulder Lasette could feel her pulsereact to the sight of him. His close cut dark hair was wet from his showerrevealing cute wavy curls while his T-shirt clung to his abs as if he didn'tfinish drying before pulling it on. In a pair of pants similar to the ones heloaned her, Dorian stood barefoot behind her casting a hungry gaze over hershoulder.
Refocusing her line of sight, she turned off the gas burner."I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I made myself at home in your kitchen.I figured you had to be hungry as well."
"Mmm," he made a noise of agreement as he grabbed twoplates from a cabinet. "I do not mind at all, I want you to make yourselfat home." His eyes met hers with the same steadiness his hands did as heheld out the plates for her to serve.
Willing herself not to assume he meant anything more by hisstatement she carefully served the fish and sautéed asparagus onto the plates.Bringing the plates and glasses to the living room, they arranged their foodonto the coffee table. The fire in front of them blazed brightly in the darkroom casting everything in a soft amber glow.
Sitting on the large sofa Lasette smiled at the thick blanketsthat were already laid out.
"Here, lift your feet," Dorian said, walking around thesofa behind her.
Easily he pushed the heavy sofa with her on it, closer to thefire. Coming back around he sat on the other end of the sofa and grabbed hisplate.
"Thank you for cooking," he said between bites."It's amazing, I never make tilapia taste this good."
Settling deeper into the blanket wrapped around her she smiled athis compliment. Lasette wasn't going to tell him how much butter she used, shewas too busy enjoying the rare compliment.
"You're welcome, it's the least I can do." Seeing thematte black gun on the coffee table, she dared to ask. "Do you alwayscarry a gun with you?"
Finished with his plate, he set it on the coffee table beforegiving her a penetrating look. "Yes, does that make youuncomfortable?"
For the life of her, she couldn't figure out if it was just hisvoice or was he always so serious.
"No I don't mind them, I grew up with three brothers and mydad who loves to hunt," she smiled just remembering how happy all the"boys" were to go on their manly hunting trips while her and her momgot the whole house of themselves. Setting her plate down she pulled her legsunderneath her under the blanket. "No, I guess what makes me uncomfortableis that there was actually a real-life need for one."
Just thinking of those two men chasing her down the street madeher shiver.
