Page 30 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

Are you up?

My aunt replied within seconds.

No, but I’ll open my eyes for you.

I had to roll my eyes at that. She was an early bird like me, often rising before the sun. I couldn’t figure out what to say, so I decided to just come out and ask.

Do men always have an erection in the mornings?

I heard the shower come on in the bathroom and knew I’d have a little time before Dax emerged. Still, she was taking too long to answer.

Finally, her answer came through, but it was actually a question.

Why are you asking?

I wasn’t sure how to respond because everything that had happened this morning was complicated.

I settled on partial truth.

I lied to Dax this morning when we woke up and he sort of rolled on top of me and pinned me to the bed until I told him the truth. Then, he stared at my mouth for a second until I moved my legs, and he jumped out of the bed like it was on fire. But he had an erection when he did. But I don’t know if it’s because of biology or if it was because he was close to me.

The three little dots danced for a very long time. So long that I was afraid that Dax would finish his shower before she replied, and I wouldn’t get a chance to read it.

It was because of biology and you. Did you snuggle up to him again last night? And did he let you? Because if he did, that means I’m right about how he feels about you.

I made a face at my phone. She was going to be a pain in the ass about this. I just knew it.

Yes, I cuddled up to him in my sleep and yes, he let me. Which reminds me, there’s something I need to tell you that doesn’t have to do with Dax. Can you come by this evening?

Of course. About Dax though…

I waited. The shower shut off and I mentally urged Minerva to hurry.

Take the risk. Make a move and see what happens. The worst that can happen is that he lets you down easy.

That wasn’t exactly true. The worst he could do was disappear from my life completely. It would be difficult in a town the size of Devil Springs, but not impossible. If he didn’t want to see me, he wouldn’t. And there would be nothing I could do about it.

I’ll think about it.

Her reply was immediate.You do that. I’ll see you tonight.

Tonight.

I shut down my screen and set the phone aside just as the bathroom door opened. Dax came out wearing nothing but a bath sheet. On me, the bath towels were huge, covering me from my arm pits to my knees.

On Dax’s huge frame, it looked much smaller. The towel barely reached all the way around his hips.

“We should get going,” he said, heading toward the dresser. “Poppy will be at the resort in an hour.”

His voice was cold, aloof. I’d heard him use this tone before. But never with me. He hadn’t even looked at me.

The fragile hope that had blossomed after my texts with my aunt withered and faded within a split second.

I’d misread the entire situation. He wanted to keep his distance and he was letting me know without actually saying it aloud.

Without a word, I climbed out of bed, gathered my clothes, and went into the bathroom to shower. Maybe the hot water would warm up the cold that had settled around my aching heart.

ChapterEight

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