knew, I was pinned to the ground. I stared into a pair of black eyes as the sharp prick of a blade touched my jugular.
“It’s like when we first met.”
Christian cursed under his breath. “Jaysus wept. I could have sliced your throat.” He set down the knife, his arms still caging me. “What brings you here?”
“I heard you took a new job,” I said flatly.
“Not by choice,” he replied, still on top of me. “Again, what brings you here? Lenore wouldn’t like you snooping around on her roof.”
“She has shit security.” I smiled insincerely at him.
His gaze shifted, and he placed a sensual kiss on my shoulder. When he lifted his head, I saw him licking his lips. “Why’s there blood all over you? And it’s not all yours.”
“How do you know? I cleaned up.”
“Have you ever watched those forensic shows where the killer washes the crime scene with bleach? Then the investigators shine a pretty light in the room, revealing the tiniest blood spatters in places you’d never imagine. I can see them on your eyelids, your shoulder has a long streak of it, and larger clumps are in your hair.” His gaze wandered down to my black bra, and I felt him growing erect. “I see them on your breasts, and I wonder if there might be a few drops for me to lick off your nipples.”
“You always say things that make my heart go pitter-patter.” I attempted to keep up the snark, but damn if he wasn’t turning me on with that gruff voice. His body felt good against mine, as if it longed for me.
“I got in a fight,” I said, not revealing details in case someone was eavesdropping. “I’m fine.”
Christian’s eyes skated down, and he cupped my breast in his palm. “I might need to perform an exam and see for myself. Dr. Poe, at your service.”
His sincerity sent a tingle between my legs. “Aren’t you on duty?”
“She’s reading in a private library in the basement. That’s why I’m out here, watching for nefarious men.”
“Or women?”
“Aye.” His hand moved south and unfastened my shorts.
“She might catch us.”
He smiled at me wolfishly as he sat back and pulled down my shorts. “When that woman goes to read, she reads the entire book in one sitting.” Christian flicked my shorts aside and cocked his head. “Now that’s a surprise.”
Instead of sexy panties or a thong, I had on boy shorts with a little leg. “Chafing,” I explained. “The leather shorts aren’t lined, and—”
He used his index finger to pull the panty hem. When he let go, they snapped back in place.
I gave him an impatient look. “You’re really taking the sexy out of this moment.”
He stroked his beard, a quizzical look on his face. “Is that spandex?”
I drew up my legs and then stood. “Viktor got Crush involved. Can you believe that? I ran into him earlier, and he had something for me. Was that your idea?”
“I give you my word, on my sweet sister’s grave, that I don’t know a fecking thing about your da getting involved.” Christian sat back against the chimney stack. “I thought you trusted me.”
Audrey’s words resonated, applying to my own situation. Christian had betrayed me once, and though I felt he’d never do it again, I wasn’t as trusting as I thought I was.
“If you tell me you didn’t know, I believe you,” I said, glancing at the nearby house. “It’s what you don’t tell me.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
I met his gaze. “Where do you go at night?” When he gave me a blank stare, I continued. “I’ve seen you ride off on your motorcycle late at night. Not all the time, but every couple of weeks you go out. Sometimes once a week. I’ve never asked you about it because I trusted you. But now that you’re here, guarding Lenore, I’m beginning to wonder if this is where you’ve been going.”
“Is that what this is? You’re worried I’m diddling another woman.”
“No, I didn’t say that. Vampires don’t sleep, and I know firsthand how maddening that can be. So if you ride around the city or go out for a few drinks, that’s fine. If you’re breaking into zoos or scaling buildings, that would pique my curiosity. You’ve told me a lot about yourself, but I don’t know everything.”
“Nor do I, lass. Your skin is still salty with sweat, and the blood on your shoulder tasted like excitement and danger. You wouldn’t have left work because of a fight.