“No, not really.”
With Loki satisfied, Caden’s gaze roamed my room. My closet doors hung open, clothes spilling out onto the carpet. The desk against the wall was stacked with textbooks, and a shelf above it stored my collection of energy crystals, one from a magic shop in each of the states I’d visited.
There were six.
A mini-fridge and microwave sat in the corner. Long plastic crates acted as a food pantry.
My slippers tapped out a rhythm against the carpet. “If the file is so small, then why is your bag so big? It’s like you’re moving in.”
Caden scrubbed a hand through his hair and gave me a look that had alarm tightening my stomach.
“Wait—tell me that’s not the reason you didn’t call first.”
He winced. “The thing is, I need a place to crash for a few nights. The place I had lined up fell through, and while I plan on fixing up the manor for the long-term, the utility guys can’t get out there until Thursday. Since I’m new in town, I don’t know anybody else.”
I’d started shaking my head before he finished. “No. Absolutely not. You can’t stay here. This is a dorm room. It’s barely bigger than a walk-in closet.”
“I don’t need much space. Plus, you saw the manor. There’s no running water or electricity, and there are rats. Oscar thinks it’s a good idea too. He said something like, ‘Strong teams are formed from strong bonds.’”
My mind raced. “Get a hotel room.”
“Can’t—too expensive. Gotta save my funds to fix up the manor.”
I scrambled for a reason this couldn’t work. Partner or not, he was still a stranger, and he’d pissed me off. Being gorgeous didn’t get him a free pass. Though . . .No!I had principles. Standards. There were rules!
Finally, I hit on something. Straightening my spine, I said, “There’s only one bed.”
There was his grin again: sexy with a side of arrogance. “Yeah, I noticed.” His eyes narrowed with mischief. “Now that you so conveniently shared your preference for pajamas, I should ask whether you prefer boxers or briefs.”
A pillow slammed into his chest, and I picked up one of my bedside novels to chase it. He held up his hands before the paperback took flight.
“Okay, cease-fire. I’ll keep my pants on and take the floor. Scout’s honor.”
As if he’d ever been a Boy Scout. There had to be another reason! I was losing this battle. Hands on my hips, I tossed my last grenade.
“You can’t stay here because it says so in the university handbook.”
“I see. I’ll bet you’ve read the handbook cover to cover.”
He was goading me, trying to make me feel silly for being so bookish. It would not work. I lifted my palms as if to say, “Too bad, so sad.”
“Sorry, it’s against the rules.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he dipped his voice into a teasing rumble. “Come on, Graves, don’t you ever break the rules? Even a little?”
“Yes! I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I have a dog now. They’re strictly forbidden in the dorms.”
“Loki doesn’t count. He’s a ghost. No one knows he’s here. Besides, I already cleared my stay with your resident advisor when she caught me loitering in the lobby. I told her I’m your boyfriend visiting from out of state and I’m surprising you for our anniversary. She let me upstairs and said she didn’t mind bending the rules just this once. For love, of course,” he said with mock seriousness.
Oh, I’ll bet she didn’t mind.He probably charmed the socks off her. The lying wretch.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “The security in this building is shameful.”
“That’s true. We may have to do something about your locks. Maybe an enchanted deadbolt, or you could move into the manor. I’ll let you have the east wing. There are fewer rat traps.”
My glare should have killed him. At the very least, he should be writhing in pain on the carpet.
“Look, I’ll be out of your hair in no time, and you’ll have the place to yourself again. It will give us a chance to go over the case and work through some leads on campus. The first of which we’re following tonight.”
