it was supposed to be the season of goodwill to all men, wasn't it? And Brodie was definitely a man . . .
And I was reaching for straws in an effort to justify the stupidity of my actions.
I shoved the thoughts away and took a shower, then donned my still-wet underwear. I'd rather risk getting a chill than being naked around Brodie. After wrapping myself up in the thick, fluffy gown, I finger-combed my short hair then I grabbed the sodden elf outfit and headed downstairs. Following his scent led me into the rich-smelling warmth of the kitchen.
He was pouring coffee into a mug, and there were two huge slabs of cake already sitting on a tray.
"Where can I dry these?" I asked.
"Are they shrink proof?"
"Well, they didn't shrink on me."
He smiled. It did my pulse rate absolutely no good whatsoever. "There's a clothes dryer through there," he said, nodding toward the door to the right.
I shoved the clothes in the dryer, then headed back into the kitchen. "We eating here?"
He shook his head. "In the living room. It's warmer. You want to grab the cake tray?"
I did, and followed him out of the kitchen and into the living room. A huge log fire was the room's main feature, but it was the Christmas tree that drew my eye. It was big, lush, and totally without decoration, except for the fake snow that adorned the end of the dipping branches. It reminded me of a tree in the middle of a snow-swept forest, and maybe that was the whole point.
"That kind of dwarfs my tree," I said, putting the tray down on the coffee table.
"The tree you had last year had character," he commented, and offered me a mug.
I smiled. "Both that tree and this year's are very sad representations of the Christmas tree."
He sat down on the sofa and patted the spot beside him. I retreated to the fire, standing with my back to it.
Amusement teased his mouth. "So why buy them?"
"Because they looked lonely."
His gaze met mine, green eyes holding touches of amusement and something else. Something that had my pulse skipping. Not lust. Something deeper. Stronger.
"It's a rotten thing," he said softly, "being lonely at Christmas."
I didn't bite. I wanted to, but I didn't. I stepped away from the fire to avoid burning my butt, and picked up a plate of cake instead.
"How are we going to catch this vampire before he kills again?" I spooned some cake into my mouth and felt my knees go weak. Damn, this was good chocolate cake.
"The team is still working on possible locations given everything we've seen and I've scented at the crime scenes. If they find something, they'll contact us."
He leaned forward to pick up the other plate of cake, and my fingers suddenly itched with the need to run through his thick, dark hair. I gripped the spoon harder.
"Other than that," he continued, "we just have to hope the bait plan works."
"It's difficult to catch someone when they can up and fly away."
"If it was that easy for him to shift shape, he would have flown the coop earlier. Are you going to sit down?"
"Are you going to make any moves on me?"
Again that sexy smile teased his mouth. "Do you want me to?"
Yes, yes, yes. "No."
"Why not?"
I just about choked on my cake. "Why do you think why not?"
"Because I'm a rat?"
"That would be a good start."
"Because I forgot to call you for Christmas?"
"And my birthday. And Valentine's."
"That's true. I did, however, buy you presents for both. Does that count?"
Yes. No. "Damn it, Brodie, stop. This isn't fair." I shoved the half-eaten cake on the table and thrust my hands into my pockets so he couldn't see they were suddenly shaking.
Because it wasn't fear. It was the need to reach out and touch him, caress him, love him. Just like we used to. Just like I dreamed of on so many of those long nights I'd spent alone.
He placed his plate back down then rose. Only the coffee table separated us. Only the coffee table stopped me from stepping into the sweet strength of his arms.
"I know it's not fair," he said softly. "But I never intended it to be."
"But why?"
The question was practically torn out of me, and he grimaced. "Because for the last month I've been trying to talk to you, and you've barely given me the time of day."
"And that surprises you?"
"No. It's highly frustrating, though."
"Damn it, Brodie, this has to stop. I can't