and what you’re doing? Someone has to keep you safe. Watch over you so you can sleep.
Wait, did he imply… I rose from the tub, water sluicing from me, only to wonder if he had the right angle to see through the window. Never mind the lace curtains would confound, I dropped down hard enough to splash.
Did he skulk in my woods? And what did he mean keep me safe?
I don’t need you spying on me.
Why spy when you’ll invite me to share your bed soon enough.
Ha. Yup, I typed it, and I hoped it conveyed all my disdain. In case it didn’t, I added laughing emojis.
My phone lit up. I’m going to screenshot this so that once we do become lovers you can apologize for being so stubborn and wrong. Let it be known, it can come in the form of oral or cookies. Homemade, preferably with chocolate chips.
We will never be lovers.
I wager one day you’ll be begging me to fuck you. To lick you head to toe and make you scream as you come for me.
It was utterly filthy, dirty, hot, and bothersome. I had two choices. Make myself come or confront the bastard harassing me. I threw on a sweatshirt and some leggings, my slick body making it hard to yank on, and stomped downstairs. I flung open the back door and yelled, “Where the hell are you?”
“Right here, waiting for my treat.”
7
Kane scared the piss out of me almost literally. I credit my masturbation of late for tightening that muscle enough I didn’t end up with a flooding situation.
On the other hand, I almost died of a heart attack. My heart beat hard enough to almost come out of my chest.
I took my irritation out on him. “You!”
“Yes, me. Did you miss me?” he drawled, leaning on the post holding up my porch roof.
“Like you miss a wart once you’ve frozen it off.”
He didn’t seem perturbed. He grinned, a wide smile in that craggy face. “Still protesting too much. Admit it. You want me.”
“I came outside to tell you to fuck off.”
“Now, sweetheart.”
I waved my hand. “Don’t you start with that sweetheart shit. My name is Naomi, or better yet, Ms. Rousseaux.”
“I’d say we’re too intimate for that.”
“We’re nothing. But you’re a pest. This is harassment.”
He laughed. “So have me charged.”
“I have a better idea.” Make that hex or two I might try. “How attached are you to your hair?”
He grabbed his chest. “And here all I’m trying to do is protect you.”
I snorted. “Sexual harassment hardly keeps me safe.”
“It’s only harassment if you’re not enjoying it.”
I gaped at him. “That is the most misogynistic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“And you’re cute when you’re pretending to be offended.”
“I am not pretending!” I huffed hotly. Part lie. I did get too much of a thrill from his ardent pursuit. I needed to work on my self-esteem obviously.
“If you say so, sweetheart.”
“Stop calling me that!” I wouldn’t admit it was cute. It should have been Darryl saying it, not Kane.
“Ask me nicely.”
I glared.
He laughed.
“You still haven’t said why you’re really here.”
“Protection.”
“Against?”
“Forces of darkness.”
“I thought you took care of them the other night.” It occurred to me that with him on my doorstep, I could quickly ask a few questions then send him on his way. While he kept disarming me with words, he kept far enough away that I wasn’t overwhelmed by his presence.
“While we did make a dent, it wasn’t enough to permanently rout them. They were thwarted but will try again.”
“And who is this ‘they’?”
He pressed his lips into a line. “Best you don’t know. Already there are too many involved.”
“You’re not making any sense.”
“Because it’s too complicated to explain.”
“Then what can you tell me?” I asked with exasperation.
“You’re in danger.”
“From what? Because my biggest threat is dead.”
He snorted. “Your ex-husband was hardly the worthy villain.”
“Says a huge villain.”
“That would depend on perception. Some would call me hero.”
My turn to make a sound. “I can’t see that happening; you’re too bad.”
“I know.” He smirked.
“Does this have to do with The Chill?”
“The what?”
“The Chill? When the world around me goes frosty and it feels like some big, crushing presence is trying to squash me.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “An apt name for an ancient construct.”
“You know what it is.”
“It’s not the thing you should fear the most.”
“And what would that be?”
“I really shouldn’t say.” He played coy. I wanted to smack him, but that would require getting close.
“How do you know these things? What do you