Page 52 of Dead Rockstar

“Your life is in danger,” he said, then moved his foot. I slammed the door.

I sighed, leaning my forehead against the door. He was baiting me, and I knew it, but there was no way I couldn't hear what he had to say now. I opened the door again and looked at him expectantly. “Spit it out. Ten words or less.”

“The man who gave Phillip the spell,” he said. “If he finds out what you guys are doing, he’ll kill Phillip.”

“That makes no sense,” I said. “He gave Phillip the spell. He obviously knows what it’s for. He knew that someone might use it.”

“Things are different now,” he said. “You'll see. You don’t understand. Guthrie-”

“Thanks for the tip, Lee,” I cut in. “Now I'm going back to bed.”

“I don’t understand why you’re not listening to me.”

“Because you’re a stalker and a liar and I don’t know the first thing about you, maybe?”

“Surely that guy isn't such a great fuck that it's worth risking your life,” he said.

“That's just it,” I said, rearing my arm back. “He is.” I slammed the door in his face for the second time.

Twelve

When Phillip returned twenty minutes later, I was still in just a t-shirt, sitting there fretting, holding ice on my knuckles. After I'd slammed the door on Lee, I'd punched the wall in a fit of rage. I was relieved when Phillip walked through the door holding a brown paper bag.

“Those coffee cups over on the fridge will have to do,” he said, walking over and popping the cork on the wine. “I forgot to get cups.”

“It's fine.”

He glanced over at me. “What the hell happened to your hand?”

I relayed Lee's visit and my subsequent rage punch. He chuckled and shook his head.

“I'm gone half an hour...”

“He just makes me so mad,” I said.

“That guy is an A+ creep. If he comes around here again, I'll deal with him.”

“That’s just it. I don’t think he is a creep,” I said, blowing on my fingers. “But he’s definitely a coward. He doesn't come around unless you're gone.”

“Then you'll stay by my side at all times,” he said, sitting on the bed and pulling me close. He ran a hand up my thigh and I sighed with pleasure. “I can't believe you said that to him.”

“It's true.”

“When I saw those knuckles, I thought you’d punched him.”

“Next time I will,” I said. I meant it. I reached up with my bruised hand and ran a finger down his jaw, which was stubbly and coarse; he hadn’t been shaving. “But let’s not think about him anymore.”

“I'm still on cloud nine from before,” he said, placing a soft, sensual kiss on my lips. “And I'm going to take you back to bed in a minute, believe me. But Stormy-” His face turned serious. “Don't risk yourself for me. Ever. I know you can take care of yourself, you've proven that. But no heroics. Not on my account.”

“I have an obligation to you,” I said. “I brought you back.”

“That doesn't obligate you. You had no idea what would happen. I won't have you risking your neck for me.” He brushed my hair back from my face. “I like you way too much for that.”

“Fine,” I said stubbornly. “But the same goes for you. No stupid heroics just for my benefit, either, understand? You need to lay low and keep yourself safe.”

He nodded, his eyes full of bemusement and affection and something else I couldn’t place. He was lying, but so was I, so what did it matter?

I held out my hand. “Where's my wine, you handsome devil, you?”

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