“I suppose I should thank you for that sentiment, but I don’t need protecting, Darian.” She lifted her chin, watching the moon shimmer across the water, feeling his eyes on her as she deliberately looked straight ahead. “I don’t want to be wrapped up in cottonwool and smothered.”
“I know,” he said, his voice soft. “First, that’s not what I meant. I’m going to keep you safe because of how unique you are, what you mean to the Order, and just because I want to. But I wouldn’t dare get in your way. And second, so help me, but God I find you hot.”
She glanced at him in surprise.
“We’re two of a kind, Cally. Both fighters. Both driven. Both strong, in our ways.” Darian inched forward, closing the space between them. “Not only that,” he said, his voice husky, “but you’re absolutely, stunningly, gorgeous.”
He leaned in as his hand rose, fingertips lightly brushing against her cheek, his lips so close she hardly had to move to kiss him.
She turned her head away. “I’m flattered. Really, I am. But I’m not looking for anything here.”
He let his hand fall as he rocked back, a question in his eyes. “That’s fine,” he said, voice unsure, his usual easy certainty faltering for the first time since she’d met him. “I’m sorry, I thought you were single.” His eyes narrowed. “No long-term relationships. But that’s not true, is it?” He chuckled sardonically, looking out over the lake again. “Eve. How did we miss that?”
“Patriarchal ideals?” Cally suggested dryly.Great. Now he thinks I’m sleeping with Eve.They’d have surveillance in the hallways outside the suites even if his word could be trusted and there were no cameras inside. She could kip with Eve tonight to keep up the charade. Eve would profess she didn’t mind, but it seemed cruel to toy with her feelings.
Cally muffled a sigh. In the space of a minute, she’d rejected and possibly upset an Order agent, and her relationship with Eve was about to get way more complex.
Darian cocked his head as he regarded her, a small smile playing across his lips. “Are you only into women, or can I still harbor some hope?”
Shit.
“I don’t know, Darian,” she said, trying to buy herself some time. The last thing she needed was for him to feel spurned, and to turn against her. Their dynamic was already complicated enough. “If we’re going to be working together, it seems wrongto blur the lines.”Damn it, why did I say that? Now I’ve implied I like men too.She looked away, confused.
“That wasn’t a hard ‘no,’” he said, his voice measured and tinged with hope. “Give me a chance, and I’ll wear you down with charm and great coffee.”
“Great coffee?” It was so unexpected she laughed despite the emotions churning within.
His lips twitched. “Everyone likes great coffee.”
“You’ve used that line before, haven’t you?”
“I swear I haven’t,” he said, a hand clasped to his chest as though she’d wounded him. Then he sobered. “I won’t deny I’ve had my share of flings, but none of them with a woman like you.”
She fixed him with a flat look. “That was definitely a line.”
“Damn, you’re tough.” He smiled ruefully. “If it was a line, it wasn’t intended as one. I meant every word.”
“We should get back,” Cally said, turning away from the lake and heading for the path.
“Of course.” He caught her up within a few paces. “Just so you know, I can take a rejection. It doesn’t change the promise I made to protect you.”
That was reassuring and concerning in equal measure.
“I still don’t need protection.”
“I know. I see it as my privilege to be there in case that ever changes.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow anyway, so why does it—”
“My role is at your side, now. You’re the most important”—he paused, his mouth quirking again—“assetwe have. I’m coming with you, Cally.”
Cally’s stomach twisted.
“You can’t.” The objection slipped out before she could catch it.
“Sure I can,” he said easily. “I’m the sentinel, remember? I’m the one who gives out the assignments, and you’re my new assignment.”
She tried again. “Remember what I said about cotton wool and smothering?” she warned. “I neither need nor want a bodyguard.”I already have one.
