Page 25 of A Velvet Kiss After Dark

"Not everything is a game, Tabitha."

Blushing, she turned her head away in embarrassment. She glanced into her apartment as if she was considering inviting him inside. Ask me to help peel that God-forsaken dress off you—and I'll do it with my mouth, he thought with much wickedness.

But instead she turned back to him. "What part of St. Louis?"

"Why do you want to know?" he countered.

He should make his exit now, he had more reading to do about how to Infernas demons, but he'd rather be here, soaking in his possibly future wife's scent, eyes, her.

She rubbed her temple as if she'd grown a headache.

"Just tell me. Please."

Damn. Now she was being polite. A little part of him melted inside and wanted to make her wish come true.

"Downtown." He held up his hand to stop her when she opened her mouth to speak. "And that's all you get to know. Period."

She shimmied with tension like a kid stifling the need to jump up and down. He could see questions burning in her gaze, bursting to be set free. And to think, he finally had an explanation for his urge to linger around her, sus her out, toy with her a bit.

He wished he had time to study her and uncover every inch of her being, but time was of the essence and he had a mission to do. Besides, she had no idea what he'd recently discovered; it was far too soon.

"I have to go," he said at length. He had much work to do.

He smiled at her disappointed expression.

"Well," she said, toeing the hallway carpet with her shoe. "How long will you be gone? I didn't see you for months last time."

His chest swelled with emotion. When he spoke, his voice came out gruff. "Missed me?" Was that his heart he was feeling? Oh my, lady, he thought, be so careful with this wolf.

Her lips clamped shut and she quickly shook her head. "Never."

But he suspected it was a lie to cover up for something far too tempting to consider now. Especially when he had such an important mission to carry out.

And, the truth was, he may never come back. But he wouldn't tell her that. He didn't know if she would worry, but just in case, he didn't want to put that kind of stress on her.

"Let's just say I'll be back as soon as I can."

She straightened to her full height—which left her halfway down his chest, not even surpassing his pectorals. "That's simply not good enough. I need an estimated time, please." There she went, being polite to him, almost suckering him to be nice back.

"Why?" he asked. "You want to keep me around?"

She sputtered and turned so red she looked like a Christmas bulb. "Uh, no. I don't even like you."

Was that a lie he was detecting at the sight of her blushing profusely? His wolf appreciated it.

"Or is that an invitation to sleep over?" His voice deepened at the seductive question.

A shiver coursed over her, and his heart kicked up an notch.

"I do not need you sleeping here, thank you very much. I manage on my own just fine."

A shrug of his shoulders indicated he couldn't could care less, but he was hurt a touch more than he cared to admit. He turned to walk away. "I got business to take care of before I leave."

"Wait!" She snatched his arm. His heartbeat quickened at her unexpected touch. Her small hands curled into his forearm. What tiny little hands she had. A tingle of awareness trickled across every inch of his skin, which was impossible to ignore at her willing touch. She'd reached for him.

She knew not what danger she was in. From him. Because of him. He'd set up camp here in an hour, if he wanted to, and never let her leave.

Just as soon as she touched him, the touch disappeared; he felt bereft without it.

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