Page 66 of Taste of Death

“Sleep well?”

I startled, flipping over to find Novak in bed next to me. He sat against the headboard, dressed in slacks and a fresh shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His legs stretched out long in front of him, crossed at the ankles. A leather folio was open in his lap and a pen rested in his hand. Scribbled notes and what looked like scientific equations covered the spread of papers in front of him.

In short, he looked relaxed but scholarly, and absolutely delicious.

“Uh, yeah.” I was self-conscious of my hair, my face, the day-old clothes I’d slept in—basically everything. “I see you managed to find a shirt.”

Novak grinned and capped his pen. “I searched far and wide to no avail. So I resorted to hand-sewing an old curtain to make do.”

“Wow.” I gave him a once-over, nodding approvingly. “You are quite skilled with a needle and thread.”

“I’d say it’s a necessary skill during times of massive shirt famines.”

The longer this conversation went on, the harder it became to not laugh. “You know, if the situation is that dire, I’m sure your staff wouldn’t mind if you just went without for a while.”

Novak’s grin wobbled with restrained laughter. “Walking around the house with no shirt? After all the trouble I went through to make this?”

“Just something to keep in mind if I mess up that one with snot and tears. Your sacrifice would be appreciated.”

“By just my household staff?”

“No… ”

He leaned in closer, ruby eyes bright. “By who else, then?”

His gaze was so intense and I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I hid my face in a pillow and burst into laughter. When I felt Novak’s weight slide closer and his hand rested on my waist, it wasn’t shock that quieted me, but an elated sense of relief.

He hadn’t lied, hadn’t touched or kissed me last night out of pity or selfishness. He was still here, as he said he would be.

“It sounds like you’re feeling better, akra.” His voice was every bit as warm and comforting as the bed.

I sighed into the pillow, my breath warming the soft fabric. “In some ways, yes.”

“But not in others?”

Moving the pillow slightly, I peeked at him with one eye. “I’m a little embarrassed about last night.”

Novak’s brow pinched with a frown. “You have no reason to be. I wish I could have done more to ease you.”

“What? No.” I let the pillow fall away. “Last night, you did more for me than anyone else ever has. Even Tavia.”

A smile curled his mouth. “Tavia not much for cuddling and forehead kisses?”

I let out a small laugh. “Well, our relationship was never like that. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a good listener and we could talk for hours, but when I’m upset she always wants to…dosomething about it.”

“You mean retaliate against those who hurt you.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I appreciate a friend who isn’t afraid to throw punches or yell at a man twice her size. But that wasn’t always whatIneeded, you know?”

“I won’t lie, the thought crossed my mind,” Novak mused. “I was worried about you, and I wanted to find out who hurt you and make them pay for it.” His voice went low, lips curling to expose his fangs. “But you needed me to stay, and that was more important than making some humans piss themselves in fear.”

“Hey, I never said anything about humans being the reason.”

Novak slid lower to lie next to me, then propped himself up on an elbow. “I stepped out for a bit earlier tonight, and ended up running into Tavia and Cyan.”

“You did?” I sat up higher. “Oh God, was Cyan an asshole? He’s like that, sometimes.”

“No. They were both pleasant company actually.” Novak looked at me in a way that made my cheeks heat. “He told me what happened in Sapien. And Tavia deduced who they were based on descriptions. Tom Harrison and Robin?”

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