Page 55 of Undying
Taking a hesitant step into the room, I glance at Milo as I pass, but his expression remains impassive.
Locking me out.
I don’t like it.
I stop, then turn to face him so fast that he almost crashes into me, barely catching himself in time. Surprise sparks in his green eyes, and his guard drops as he searches my face. “What’s wrong?”
I tilt my head to the side and frown. “Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
He immediately looks over my shoulder, and a hiss of annoyance leaves me. I don’t like it when he ignores me. He stiffens at the sound, and I step into his path before he can escape. “I’ve offended you.”
It’s been so long since I’ve dealt with someone else that I feel rusty. I can’t get over the impression that I’ve disappointed him in some way. I’ve been so on edge, so focused on staying alive, that I feel awkward around people now.
“Of course not,” he immediately denies, but I detect a slight hitch to the words.
Disappointment crashes through me, and I take a step back, then ask him quietly, “Do you want me to leave?”
That gets a reaction, but not one that I was expecting.
Instead of throwing me out, he takes a step toward me, as if to stop me from leaving. “No, of course not. Why would you even suggest such a thing?”
I decide to test him, wanting to see if he’ll tell me the truth. “Being alone in the same room with me bothers you. Without your cage between us, I make you uncomfortable.”
A faint color fills his pale cheeks, and I’m charmed to see that a vampire can still blush. He rubs the back of his neck, then his shoulders slump. “Not uncomfortable in the way you think. You’re mated to Castle now, and I guess I’m jealous.” He blurts out the last part, turning away from me, as if embarrassed by the outburst just as much by what he confessed.
Surprise flares through me, and even more shocking, a curl of interest.
As I watch him stare blankly around the room, his shoulders hunched, a furrow appears between my brows. I don’t like that he’s avoiding me. I like being the center of his attention. Something about the way he looks at me makes me feel special.
I was never one of the popular girls in school. I’m too smart, a little too outspoken, a little too sharp with my opinions, and not pretty enough for people to forget their grudges.
That’s usually fine.
I don’t enjoy being surrounded by people.
Most of the time, they get on my nerves.
When the paranormals came out to the humans, the laws of polite society changed as well. People became a commodity. Desperation clings to most people, many willing to give up their own mothers and daughters if it means they’ll be spared.
So I know what it feels like to be alone. It clings to Milo like a shadow, waiting to drag him down into the darkness. I don’t like it. I cross my arms to keep from reaching for him and lean back against the wall…then my curiosity gets the best of me as I eye the bag he’s been carrying. “What’s in the bag?”
He jolts in surprise, then thrusts it in my direction, looking anywhere but at me. “Just some clothes I picked up for you.”
I step forward and accept it gratefully, suddenly conscious of wearing nothing under the large, slightly mangled shirt. Inside the bag is a pair of jeans and a gorgeous red cashmere sweater that probably cost more than I could make in a month.
“Thank you!” I don’t even hesitate and quickly strip, more than ready to wear something that actually fits me.
“Ummm…” Milo whirls and faces the wall, and I find myself charmed by the gentlemanly gesture. It’s been so long since anyone saw me as more than a body.
First Castle and now Milo.
When I find a conservative set of bra and panties, I barely resist the urge to kiss him. I pull on the underwear, then step into the jeans and pull them up my legs and over my hips. The sweater is next, and I eagerly tug it over my head, rubbing the soft material between my fingers.
I’ve never worn anything so fine.
And they fit me like they were made for me.
I pick up Castle’s shirt, bringing it to my nose, then bury my face into the snowy scent, rubbing it on my cheek until I’m wearing his scent. Feeling suddenly foolish, I pull it away, then carefully fold it before placing it into the bag to collect later.
