Him walking me through the portal’s complicated features, directing me to clack keys and tick boxes, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my stomach. His spicy scent, his glinting eyes—flickering subtly with tiny dancing flames—and glowing fingernails, the fact his suit was tailored sharp as a scalpel. There was just no way around it: I was as attracted to him as I was to Hunter. I didn’t know how to feel about that.
His gaze kept getting drawn to me too. Not in any way that made me uncomfortable, but like I was something priceless. His eyes widening and latching onto mine like I was something he didn’t want to let out of his sight.
With the way he looked at me, I felt like I was a character in one of the few romance novels I’d read. Sometimes there were fantasy romances amongst the books they’d thrown in my room at the vamp feeding den and I’d always reread them cover to cover before they were taken away. Bryce’s sincere, open gaze was how I’d imagined those men looked when I’d read they couldn’t take their eyes off the woman they loved.
Was it possible Bryce Harding, the state’s most eligible bachelor, someone who had coldly brushed off even a stunning beauty like Monique, had a crush on me?
No, I was being silly. And I was just a bit worked up from my own crush on him and on Hunter. Bryce and I were friends and, like he’d said, he wanted me to feel settled in comfortably as the company’s sole human employee. Nothing more.
I focused on the laptop as we went through portal details. Struggling with my feelings.
His suited arm sleeve brushed the bare skin of my forearm several times. I said sorry, but each time I apologized he only smiled and waved it away. I trusted his respectfulness, but with his condition, shouldn’t he have been more careful about us touching?
One thing about him being super close was definitely not causing concern though, not like what had happened in Sebastian’s office.Unlike when I touched Sebastian, I didn’t have Bryce’s thoughts floating through my head.
Bryce had kept me distracted since it happened, but what the hell was up with hearing Sebastian’s thoughts? I knew vamps had special powers, possibly unspoken communication, and the last thing I needed—or wanted—was a vamp’s uninvited thoughts. Sebastianseemedlike a nice guy, but I didn’t want him doing that. It made me extremely uncomfortable. Problem was, Bryce seemed determined I should work with him, when all I wanted to do was keep my distance. Perhaps at some point I could broach the subject with Bryce, but it was so awkward with Bryce thinking so highly of him.
I’d just have to tell Sebastian to knock it off next time I saw him.
Anyway, Bryce was excellent at explaining how to use the portal and even navigate what I needed on my crappy second-hand phone. And with us laughing and joking so much, the end of the day rolled around quickly. I couldn’t believe he’d spent the whole day with me and hoped he hadn’t neglected other things too much.
Standing and straightening his shirt collar and tie—he’d been gradually loosening them the whole afternoon—he asked, “Would you mind if I took you home? It’s getting dark outside early, the closer we get to winter.”
I didn’t want to take advantage of us being friends. But then Conrad and his motley friends were still out there. My suggestion was weak, willing to be disagreed with, as I said, “Oh, I can take the bus…”
“I’m happy to. Though I know the Benz doesn’t take the scenic route,” he teased, before his tone grew more serious. “And there are legitimate safety issues that are ongoing…”
Yep, he was right. Bryce’s limo was infinitely safer than a public bus.
Gerald met us with a pursed smile and nod as he opened the limo door. “The lady’s residence, sir?”
Bryce returned the nod. “Yes. I think Hunter will be at theclub, so I might go up with Serenity. If that’s all right with her, of course. And uh,”—he looked at me then back to Gerald, his tone teasing again—“go slow. Pretend you’re a bus driver. Make her feel like she’s not missing out.”
I stuck my tongue out at him.
He laughed and sidled closer on the seat next to me.
Hunter was home. Several candles had been lit around the entry and living room. And the loft was swimming in aromas of lemongrass, coconut, jasmine and saffron. They smelled amazing as I breathed them in.
“Hey you two,” he called out from the kitchen.
“Shouldn’t you be at work?” I called back with a smile.
“I took the night off to surprise my girl with dinner after her first day working with Mr. Big Shot.”
Bryce and I walked toward him as he lifted pot lids, tossed stir fry and checked on a rice cooker. Hunter turned to us both. His smile said he was happy to have an extra guest for dinner, though as he faced the cooking food again, he teased from the side of his mouth. “You’re lucky I made plenty, Mr. Big Shot. What’s the matter, run out of food stamps?”
Chuckling, Bryce threw his jacket over one of the sofas, petting Carrot as she lazed in a curled ball on a fancy armchair. “I’ll return the favor soon enough. Just let me know when you want me to cook here again. You know I love to.”
The back of Hunter’s head bobbed. “I’ll be taking you up on that. And I want those pricey steaks again.”
Bryce shrugged. “Good choice,” he said as I sneaked behind Hunter, squeezing his bicep as it bulged from under his T-shirt. Hunter paused and leaned down for me to peck him on his cheek.
“What are you cooking? Smells amazing.” I gave Hunteranother squeeze before walking the few steps over to Carrot to giver her an ear and chin rub.
Hunter pointed to each dish on the cooker as he described them. “Got jumbo Bengal prawns in a Sri Lankan yellow curry, mild, cause not everyone’s a fire elemental. Jasmine rice. Bok Choi and garlic stir fry. And the biggest prawn crackers this side of Beijing.”
It all smelled and looked so good. Despite his smiles, I hoped I hadn’t offended Hunter though, by bringing Bryce back for what had clearly been intended to be a dinner for two.
