Page 47 of Enchanted Hero
“I know.” She ran a hand through her hair. “It’s not like they’re mine anyways – they belong to the business.”
“That doesn’t change how you feel.” His voice softened. “But of course, even you don’t know how long you’ll be here.”
“Right… wait, what?” Without another word, he pivoted and strode from the room. She followed him. “Wait! What did you mean? You can’t possibly be evicting me from my home, too.”
He halted. “You really think I’m that bad? Most people like me.”
“Millions of women at least.” She cringed. That wasn’t the comeback she planned.
His amusement deepened. “Every woman but you. I’ll just have to work harder to change your opinion of me.”
“Are you a wizard?”
His features hardened, shadow-swept secrets blazing across his expression. His voice turned low, somber. “What?”
“Are you a wizard?” she repeated. “Because you’d need powers to convince me to join your legion of fans.”
“I see.” The danger decreased, and his voice lightened. “Good to know.”
“So whatdidyou mean?” she asked as he resumed his motion to the front door. “About my apartment?”
“I just meant you might find a better option in the future. Remember, you’re earning much more than before.”
That was true. Yet it seemed he’d meant something else. She opened her mouth to ask when he opened the front door. A neat stack of cardboard boxes took up the entire entranceway. “What are those?” she breathed.
“Boxes.”
She looked upward. “I know they’re boxes, but how did they get here? Did they just magically appear?”
“That, or I had a friend drop them off to pack the antiques. One of the two.” He picked up a dozen flattened boxes. “You believe in that stuff, don’t you?”
“I’m not the only one who believes in the extraordinary.” She grabbed the heavy carboard and followed him back to the storeroom. They made several more trips, and then carefully sorted the items. For hours they worked, amidst amicable conversation, banter and laughter. Despite the emotionally challenging task, the afternoon was pleasant, enjoyable even. Finally, they had packed them all.
“This seems to be everything, except the one you kept.” She studied the treasures. “Most of these are more valuable than the book. Was there something special about it?”
“Not really.” Before she could inquire further, he hefted the first box. Filled to the brim with lead statues, he lifted it with ease. “I’ll get these to the car.”
“You’re going to carry them all?” Once they realized the magnitude of the items, she’d assumed they’d call someone to assist. They would need several men at least, as well as a truck. “Aren’t they heavy?”
He looked at her wryly. “Do I look incapable?”
“No, you seem very… capable.” Actually, capable was inadequate to describe the raw strength of the muscular man. He put the box on top of another box, equally filled with solid items. She parted her lips as he lifted them both. Even for someone “capable,” it seemed impossible.
“Are you sure…” She stopped. He wasn’t even breathing hard. She licked her lips. “How are we going to fit them all?” The limo had been large, yet it was still a car. These boxes filled a room. “There can’t possibly be enough space, especially with you in it.”
“The car is bigger than it looks.”
“All right, but don’t tell me I didn’t warn you. I’d bet anything it won’t fit.”
He halted. “You’d bet anything?”
Heat singed her neck. “Well, notanything.”
He looked at his watch. “It’s almost the end of the workday, but we still have things to discuss. We can talk in the privacy of my home.”
“The mighty Alexander Stone possesses secrets so sensitive my home isn’t safe?” She’d meant it as a joke, but his gaze remained sober. Her grin faded. Was he hiding something more than business confidences? “We can talk about it at the office.”
“I don’t want to wait. We will discuss matters over dinner.”
