Page 106 of Ashes and Lilies
I lifted my eyes to meet his. Why was that funny?
“They’re not exactly friends,” Damen said.
I pursed my lips. Well, that was unacceptable. If they were both Officers, working at the same university and involved in the study and research of criminals, then why shouldn’t they be well acquainted?
This was a waste of resources.
“In any case,” Damen began, holding his hand out for me. My chest grew tight as I studied his square fingernails before allowingmy gaze to move to his face. He was watching me, looking for something, and my pulse fluttered.
The balance between us had been disturbed, and it had something to do with the previous night.
Was this uncomfortable feeling my fault?
“Come with me,” he continued. “And I’ll get you to class after. Besides, we have some things that we need to talk about.”
“Mrs. Cole must like you,”the bouncy woman chirped from Damen’s left side. “She never allows visitors.” She smiled as she touched Damen’s arm even though he hardly seemed to be paying attention to her.
It hadn’t escaped my notice, however, that since we’d arrived at the musty-smelling nursing home, the perky nurses’ aid had only addressed him. It was like I didn’t even matter.
“How do you know her?” she asked, giggling.
I was glaring at her behind Damen’s back and narrowed my eyes. Why would she laugh? That wasn’t even funny.
Regardless, was all this sashaying and flirting necessary? After all, they clearly knew each other. Their understated greeting upon our arrival had made that abundantly clear.
It was interesting, though. A fiery redhead didn’t seem like his type. Not that I cared much about his preferences, but someone with a dominant, pushy personality wouldn’t suit him well.
In my opinion, he’d prefer a woman with a hint of innocence and timidity—someone with elegant, girlish features. Yet I could also see him appreciating a challenge and a hint of sassiness.
I was sure it was a type and that there was a word for it. I could have sworn I read about it once, but I couldn’t recall.
It was there, on the tip of my tongue. But it didn’t matter.
I had to deal with this current threat. She was preying on him, and I’d bet the money that I didn’t have that they’d slept together.
This wouldn’t do at all. We had an agreement, and I doubted he even saw this wannabe consort’s attempts for what they were. He wasn’t even remotely phased by her lingering touches over his biceps.
I had to protect him from her manicured clutches.
“I’ve never met Mrs. Cole,” Damen replied, still blissfully unaware of the situation. He was still distracted, his free hand touching his jacket while he ignored the nurse moving closer. And when she began to wrap her slender hand around Damen’s arm, I could no longer stand idly by.
I pulled Damen’s arm. He’d come here with me, darn it.
Damen made a sound and stumbled sideways, falling against me. Meanwhile, the other woman glared at me as we stopped in the empty hallway.
He caught his balance almost immediately. “What’s wrong, baby girl? Did you trip?”
“I forgot to ask,” the nurse interrupted. “Who is this?”
Damen brushed his hands over my shoulders. “She’s my…” he started, then paused.
But why,whywas he hesitating to tell this woman I was his assistant? What was he waiting for—my tax paperwork?
“She’s mine,” he said decisively, removing his hands from my shoulders. He gripped my hand again, and his gaze never left my face. “You’re to treat her with the same respect you’d give to any of us.”
The woman rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. However, as she brushed past us, her whisper was clear. “You know where to find me once you get bored.”
I felt myself tense, but she pointed at a door. “That’s Mrs. Cole’s room. You can go right in.”
