I didn’t know if I wanted to. Having her see me in my most natural state—however violent—had satisfied the most male part of me. When I’d transformed in the car, there had been a definite flicker of interest in her eyes, as well as a burst of heat.
The faint brush of her lips against mine had ignited something primitive inside of me, something that was getting stronger by the hour.
I gestured to her door, realizing too late that I hadn’t said a word the entire way up here. She waited indecisively, looking between me and the door, so I pushed it open. This room had been unused, but it was on the same wing as mine, in case the Elder—or anyone else—got through my security.
I wasn’t going to spook Selena by telling her that, but then I changed my mind. Concealment and lies had gotten us nowhere, so it was time to change tactics. “I’m on this wing as well,” I said. She drew in a breath, as if she was going to argue, but stopped herself. “If anyone attempts to hurt you, I’m right next door,” I explained, even though this wasn’t the real reason I wanted her close. “The other wing of the house is in some disrepair, as it hasn’t been open for a long time. I managed to get this room renovated in time for our return.”
“You knew we’d return?” she said, shaking her head. “I wasn’t sure that was a given.”
“Have a little faith in me, Selena. I won’t allow anything to happen to you.”
She gave me a quizzical look before she drifted into the room, holding her bag tightly. The room was adequately prepared, light and clean, which was all that was necessary. I suddenly wished the carpets were deeper, and the comforter warmer as she ran her fingers over everything while circling the room slowly.
“This is beautiful.” I barely caught the words, muttered as they were, but the look on her face was reverent. “You got this ready for me? Knowing we’d be back?”
“Of course,” I said impatiently. “While I hoped your abilities would escape the Elder’s detection, I also prepared for the possibility he’d discern what you were.” I gestured to a pile of boxes and the clothes over the chair. “I took the liberty of having some of your belongings brought over.”
That brought a sour look to her face, and she gave me the evil eye, but the Elder may have someone watching her house, and eliminating all possible threats took preplanning. I didn’t have time to ask permission.
“Let’s talk terms,” Selena said, bouncing nervously on the edge of the bed. “So there’s no confusion.”
“Such as?” I knew what her terms were going to be, but for once, Selena was not going to get her way. Not entirely.
“I drive myself to and from the distillery every single day. I can go anywhere on the property, and I stay until I’m done.” By the end, her head had taken on a stubborn tilt, her eyes flashing.
I nodded. “We will make that work.”
She blinked and stroked the blanket beneath her, clearly unsure how to handle things after I’d agreed so readily. Her safety was important, but so was her happiness. Cooping her up would do no one any good, and she’d only resent me more than she already did. If we were to make any progress, she had to trust me. Which meant I had to tell her the truth.
“Of course, it occurred to me I’ve been an absentee partner.” I smiled at her, and her eyes went straight to my fangs. “An oversight I mean to correct. Which means you can spend tomorrow showing me around the distillery.”
I suppressed my chuckle at the look of horror that came over her face.
“Including my office, since, from now on, we’ll be working closely together, Miss Langston.”
22
Any other time, sleeping in a gorgeous room outfitted with exquisite antiques and super-plush bedding would have thrilled me. There was something decadent about silky, clean sheets that I just loved.
But tonight, it was all I could do to sort through the clothes he’d had brought over, setting aside work clothes versus casual clothes. A baggy sweatshirt in my hand, I stood there for a minute, wondering what Forge and I would ever do that was casual, finally deciding to cross that bridge another time.
Sleep eluded me, as I spent most of the night stewing, dropping my shield and hoping Forge heard every single word. He’d been pulling the strings all along, and it irked me. He’d lied to me, then proceeded to manipulate me yet again into staying. Now I was fuming, and replaying everything in my head over and over. Whatever temporary fondness I’d developed for Forge was long gone.
When my alarm dinged, I rubbed the sand from my eyes and stumbled to the bathroom, praying there were clean towels. I needn’t have bothered. Forge had everything set out, toiletries—the extravagant sort I’d never buy—mirrors, brushes and a dizzying assortment of makeup and lotions. As if he didn’t know what to get, so he just bought everything at the store.
Best of all was the stack of fluffy towels.
I gathered my dripping hair into a band, ruing the fact it would be huge by lunchtime, a big, blond, bushy mess on top of my head. But I didn’t have time to blow-dry it and get to the distillery on time. Emerson had already called three times this morning, and I’d let them all go to voicemail. I didn’t know what to say to him right now, when I still had Forge to deal with this morning.
Forge and his crazy notion to go to work with me.
I tugged my collar into place, then slipped the pendant beneath my shirt. All anyone could see was the chain, which was…a good
