Page 44 of Ghost Walk
“Yeah, but you also told meyouweren’t a gentleman, which was a total lie. So, you’re still not batting a thousand in that department.”
Jamie looked confused. “I’m not a gentleman.” He made it sound like she’d accused him of being a sex offender. “I sometimes have half-hearted gentlemanly impulses, which I try to ignore, but…”
“Yes, you absolutelyarea gentleman.” Grace interrupted, climbing up onto her bed again. She’d changed into clothes before the police arrived, but now she was back in her fuzzy robe. “You just saved my life, Jamie.”
“You saved your own life. I did what I could to help, because you’re mine.”
“No.” She shook her head. “That’s not it, at all. You didn’t even know me when I went back in time and you helped me then, too.”
Jamie gazed at her for a long beat. “I would always know you, Grace.”
Her insides dipped at his quiet words, but she kept going. “I was completely lost and vulnerable and alone… and all you did was offer to walk me home. You tried to protect me. I don’t think any other pirate would have done that with a half-dressed, possibly-drunk girl who’d kissed him three minutes after they met.”
He pouted a bit at that irrefutable evidence. “Well, maybe I was plotting something nefarious and luring you in.” He muttered.
“Maybe you’re just a nice guy, under all the come-ons and craziness.” She shot him a smile. “It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.” She clicked on the TV, tuning it toHaunted Highfor him. “I also won’t blab about your crappy taste in televisions shows.” She settled back to watch the thirty-something “teens”battle supernatural monsters and plan their prom.
Jamie glanced at the screen, his mouth curving when he saw she’d remembered his favorite show. “For you, I wish Iwasa gentleman.” He murmured, looking back at her with a soft expression. “I wish I was so many good things for you, Grace.”
“I like you just the way you are. And I’mgoingto save you.” She made it a vow. The possessiveness he felt towards her was contagious, because she was coming to think of Jamie ashers.She’d do her very best to clear his name, no matter what it took. Besides, focusing on solving the murders was a lot more rewarding than talking about her scumbag ex. “The key to proving your innocence is the blood from the crime scenes. I’m sure of it. If we can find evidence from the other murders, I think I can go back and stop them.”
Jamie hesitated. “I was thinking just the opposite, really.
“The opposite?”
“Maybe we should stop this investigation, before…”
“Stop it?” She interrupted. “Are you kidding? I just figured out how to clear your name and you want to quit?”
“If it means you’re not placing yourself in danger, thanyes. We should quit.” His expression was grave. “I would not have you risk yourself for me, Grace. I would not have you risk yourself foranything.” He gestured to the bedroom door. “I’m not likely to soon forget that you nearly died right in front of me! Do you think I want to take a chance of that happening, again?”
“I’m doing this.” She insisted. “Ihaveto, not just for you, but for me. Don’t you get it? I thought this…abilitytook everything from me, last year. But really it’s giving me a chance to help people. To stop murdersbeforethey happen. I need to see it through. It’s the only way I’m ever going to get my life back. This will getbothour lives back, Jamie.”
He shook his head. “It’s not worth the risk.”
“You’d rather behangedagain?”
“Yes.” The word was unequivocal. “I will gladly fadeto nothing before I see you harmed.”
Grace stared up at him, processing the intrinsic nobility of the man. He might think a pirate couldn’t be a gentleman, but she knew better. “Did you mean it earlier?” She asked abruptly.
Jamie’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Mean what?”
“Did you mean it when you said you could… um… bring me to… completion, if I gave you a chance.”
He stared at her for a long beat, blinking rapidly at the non sequitur. “You’re just trying to distract me.” He rasped, but his eyes drifted down to the opened V of her bathrobe.
“Kind of maybe a little bit. …But I’d also like to know how you could do such a thing, when no one else has even come close.” Unable to withstand the penetrating blue of his eyes, Grace glanced over at the TV, where Liliana-the-banshee-girl was shopping for her prom gown. “Ew, she’s not really going to wear that hideous purple one is she? Sebastian will hate that.”
Jamie disregardedHaunted High,which no doubt showed his high level of concentration. “You truly haven’t comea’tall.” He sounded like he couldn’t imagine such a thing. “Not even once in your whole life?”
Grace flushed and shook her head, wondering if this was such a great idea. Her body told her it was the best plan ever, but it was embarrassing to discuss this so openly, even with Jamie.Especiallywith Jamie. He looked more fascinated with her lackluster sex life than he had with the discovery of actual time travel.
“Why?” He pressed, seemingly baffled.
“My therapist concluded I had ‘unrealistic expectations about intimacy.’” She muttered, hoping he’d just drop it. “Or, if you want to listen to Robert, I’m just semi-frigid.”
“Bullshit. There’s nothing wrong with you, Grace. Not a blessed thing.”
