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BECAUSE OF THE LATE hour, all the parking spots closest to Paige’s apartment building were occupied, which meant Aidan had to park a couple of blocks away.
The exhilaration and fear from nearly being caught in the healer’s office had finally worn off, and she was breathing normally. She couldn’t help wonder who the intruder had been or why they were there. And without knowing what kind of power the person possessed, it had been safer to keep their distance.
Disappointment weighed heavy on her mind. Harker had told her he’d done some research on her problem. So why hadn’t there been any files with her name on them or any information about her condition anywhere on the computer?
Aidan shut off the engine and glanced at her. “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your place.”
“I’ll be fine on my own.”
“It wasn’t a request.” He opened the door and got out of the car.
She joined him on the sidewalk, knowing it was pointless to argue. Besides, she was too tired to fight. She’d had too many sleep-interrupted nights lately and really wanted to collapse in her cozy bed. The sooner she let him walk her back, the closer she’d be to getting some rest.
They strolled through the quiet neighborhood, a silent tension humming between them. The temperatures had dropped considerably, and she could see her breath in the air. “I want you to know I appreciate what you did for me tonight.” She tugged her jacket collar closer to her neck “I know I bullied you into it, but thanks anyway.”
She expected him to start asking questions. Instead he took her hand and kept walking. “You’re welcome.”
Her thoughts drifted to the kiss he’d given her earlier, and she instantly warmed. Way better than any of my fantasies. She wanted to ask him why he’d kissed her, but decided to stay on a safer subject. Not one so close to her heart.
“Do you think whoever broke into Harker’s office might be the same person who killed him?” she asked.
He sounded surprised. “How did you know his death wasn’t an accident?”
“I overheard you and Drake talking about the case. Voices carry in your office.” She hadn’t heard the entire conversation and omitted telling him she’d overheard his uncle’s comment about him keeping an eye on her.
She focused her attention on the sidewalk, trying to ignore the disappointment gnawing at her. Hearing the circumstances around the healer’s death had given her the idea to use Aidan’s investigative talents to her advantage—so far a fruitless effort.
After several minutes had passed and he still hadn’t answered her question, she shot him a quick glance. His brows were furrowed, and he seemed preoccupied with his thoughts. “So, do you?” she asked again.
“Do I what?”
“Think whoever broke into Harker’s office was his killer?”
“I don’t know.”
She’d never seen him this frustrated before, and it troubled her. Before she had a chance to ask him what was bothering him, they’d reached the narrow sidewalk leading to her apartment. He stopped and held out his arm, motioning for her go first.
She fished her keys out of her pocket and stepped onto the porch. The movement triggered the overhead sensor, dousing the partially enclosed area with light. She reached for the lock and paused when she noticed a faint orange glow along the edges of the entire door frame. “What’s wrong with the door?”
He moved next to her. “Damn, someone tried to get inside.”
An uneasy chill crawled along her spine. Why would someone want to get into my apartment? “What do mean, tried?”
He pointed at the frame. “This glow means the protection spell stopped them.”
Memories of the day she’d been abducted flooded her mind. She was torn between being thankful and being angry. There was only one other person besides Drake who could perform this kind of protection spell. And he was standing right next to her. She shifted, crossed her arms, and pinned him with an angry glare. “Why is there a protection spell on the door?”
“It must be residual magic from the spell I used to protect Alex.”
She hadn’t missed his grimace and knew he wasn’t being truthful, but she let it go. For now. “Is it safe to go inside?”
“The door doesn’t appear to have been breached.” He held out his hand. “May I?” He took the keys and unlocked the door. “Stay here just in case.”
#
NOT A FAN OF GUNS AND not always willing to rely on his powers for protection, Aidan reached down and retrieved a four-inch silver dagger from inside his leather boot. The dagger, a gift from Drake, was part of a matching set he shared with his sister.
Having visited Alex on enough occasions, he knew his way around the apartment. He reached inside the darkened room, flipping a switch on the wall and lit the living room. He stepped inside and scanned the area. Nothing seemed amiss. No sign of an intruder.
He heard the wooden floorboards creak and the door shut behind him. He glimpsed over his shoulder and found Paige standing in the entryway. Damn frustrating woman. “What happened to waiting outside?”
She innocently shrugged. “I thought you might need some help.”
Knowing she’d only ignore him again, he took her hand and pulled her along behind him.
He went from one bedroom to the next, checking the closets and searching under the beds. He systematically tested all the window latches to ensure they were locked. Satisfied there weren’t any unwanted visitors hiding anywhere, he led her back to the living room and tucked the blade back in his boot. “Everything seems secure.”
“That’s a relief.” She unbuttoned the first three buttons on her coat.
He walked past her to the front door and double-checked the lock before latching the security bolt. He removed his jacket, tossed it across the back of a powder blue love seat, and plopped down on the couch.
Her jacket was halfway off her shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He propped his feet on the worn coffee table. “Getting comfortable.”
She removed her coat and hung it on a hook near the door. “I can see that.” She slapped her hands against her waist. “What I want to know is why.”
“Because I’m spending the night.” He tucked his hands behind his head. Of course, the last time he’d spent the night on the stiff sofa had been six months ago. He’d stopped by with a case of beer to celebrate closing an important case. Paige had bailed to go on a semi-serious date, leaving him and his sister to commemorate the event by themselves.
Once he’d learned the beautiful blonde wouldn’t be staying, his celebration had quickly disintegrated into getting shit-faced drunk and passing out on the couch. His only consolation for the massive hangover the next morning was finding out her date had ended badly and she’d returned shortly after he’d lost consciousness.
“Like hell you are.” She snatched up his jacket and threw it at him.
Her cheeks flushed the same red they had when he kissed her earlier. Something he looked forward to doing again. He caught the coat midair and set it beside him on the couch. “Someone breaks into Harker’s office and someone also tries to break into your apartment.” He dropped his feet to the floor and stood up. “Both on the same night.” He took several steps toward her. “The man ends up dead twenty-four hours after meeting with you.”
Several more steps, and he’d backed her into the kitchen island. He braced his hands on the counter, keeping her between his arms. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence.” Panic flitted across her face. He could smell her unique scent of herbs and wildflowers. An electrical shock zinged through him and surged straight to his groin. He leaned forward, keeping he voice low and serious. “Do you?”
#
AIDAN’S PREDATORY STANCE had her trapped against the counter. The hunger in his eyes reminded Paige of their kiss, and the room suddenly seemed a lot smaller. She lifted her head and ran her tongue across her dry lips. “You don’t seriously think I had anything to do with his death, do you?” How can he even consider such a thing, or be such a jerk?
His nearness made it hard to concentrate. His spicy sandalwood scent raised havoc with her senses, sent spirals of heat straight to the sensitive part between her thighs.
“No, but I do think whatever you’re hiding has something to do with the case.” His intense gaze softened. “Please tell me.”
After years of longing, she finally had the man’s full attention. How could she tell him about the dark magic? How it was slowly consuming her powers and would eventually destroy her the way it had the warlock. She’d rather die than hurt the people she cared about. Especially if it meant hurting him. “I wish I could, but I can’t...not now.”
He sighed and dropped his forehead against hers. “Okay.” After several minutes, he raised his head. He ran a thumb along her jaw. “I’m not leaving you alone tonight. Not until I know you’re safe.”
#
AIDAN FELT RESPONSIBLE for Paige’s pained expression, and it squeezed his heart like a fist. All he could think about was making it disappear. Even an angry, irritated version of her was preferable to the hurt one standing in front of him.
He could keep pushing and eventually pry the information out of her, but at what cost? Things were fragile between them, and he didn’t want to risk doing something stupid. He’d already done enough idiotic things to upset her lately. He’d have to be patient and wait until she was ready to talk.
Whether or not she was willing to confide in him didn’t matter. He was determined to stay. His story about the protection spell was partially true. He’d left out the part where he strengthened the magic a week ago, right after Margaret asked him to watch over Paige.
The original spell hadn’t been strong enough to keep out the warlock, and Paige had been kidnapped. She could have been killed. The guilt still rode him like a heavy weight, and he swore he’d never let anything bad happen to her again. Ever.
Tipping up her chin, he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. When she didn’t resist, he sucked her lower lip, enjoying the cute noise she made deep in her throat. Her hands relaxed against his chest, and he took it as a sign to explore further. He slid his hand along her back, capturing the silken curls at her nape.
He swiped his tongue along the seam and savored the lush feel of her lips. He nipped, teased, and coaxed until she groaned, allowing him to delve farther into her mouth, slow and deep.
His phone rang, but he ignored the irritating noise. The only thing that mattered was this moment, being with Paige and holding her in his arms.
After the third ring, she pressed against his chest and pulled back her head. “Don’t you think you should answer that? It might be important.”
Frustrated, he jerked the annoying device from his pocket. He glared at the words “unknown caller” on the screen and hoped like hell it wasn’t a sales call. “Yeah,” he growled into the phone.
“Aidan, it’s Selene. I’m not calling at a bad time, am I?” Her sugary lilt grated against his nerves.
Hell, yes. “No, it’s fine.”
“I left you a message, several, in fact, but you never returned my calls.”
He’d ignored her calls on purpose. He didn’t want to have anything to do with her and knew returning her call would only encourage her. “Sorry, I’ve been a little busy.”
“I forgive you.”
Paige stiffened, and he knew she’d overheard Selene’s part of the conversation. She slipped away from him and headed down the hall.
Well, fuck. He ran a frustrated hand across his neck and moved into the living room. “What do you want?”
“I was hoping we could get together. Maybe reminisce about old times.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” It’s a horrible idea.
“If you change your mind...” He could hear her disappointment and imagined her doing one of those little pouts he hated. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, you volunteered to help decorate the hall.”
He groaned. How could he forget? “Sure. I’ve gotta go.” He disconnected the call and slipped the phone into his pocket. He turned around ready to go after Paige and found her standing behind him—her arms encircling a pillow and a blanket.
