“I heard you singing,” I said.
“Was I singing a song called ‘Elian, please barge in here uninvited and annoy me in that oh-so-special way only you can do?’ No? Ofcoursenot, because I’m still working out the lyrics for that one and it’s not ready for prime time. Now, if you don’t mind…” She fisted the front of my shirt and tried to push me out, but I wasn’t budging.
I grinned at her, and her eyes softened just a fraction.
I stepped closer. Gazed down into her heart-shaped face. “I know I’m not supposed to keep pointing out all your little Haley-isms, but—”
“But you think I’ll find your refusal to honor my wishes endearing? Because—bzzt!—thank you for playing! Please try again.”
“But,” I continued, stepping closer until I had her backed up against the sink, no escape. “I rememberexactlywhat it means when you sing in the shower, little sparrow. And I just had to know… What inspired tonight’s musical selection?”
Her cheeks flamed, but she didn’t look away. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t go for the dagger she’d left on the sink. Just glared up at me with those fierce green eyes, water beading across her shoulders, a few drops rolling down the hollow above her collarbone.
It took everything in me not to lower my mouth to her throat and lick.
Suck.
Bite.
“If you remember what it means,” she hissed, “then you should also remember your servicesaren’trequired. I’ve already taken care of things, thanks.”
“A little self-love in the shower? Definitely not enough to satiateyourappetite.” I put my hands on the edge of the sink, caging her between my arms. Heat radiated from her freshly showered skin. She smelled, as always, like strawberries and cream. “I remember that too, sparrow.”
“New rule—you donotget to call me that anymore. Furthermore, you can’t just… Holy shit, Elian. What the hell happened to your face?” She reached up and grabbed my jaw, jerking my head to the side. “Looks like someone picked you up by your feet and used your head as a croquet mallet.”
“It’ll be back to normal soon enough,” I said. Then, tossing out the words she’d thrown at me earlier, “Vampire healing. Hell of a drug.”
“What are you healingfrom?”
“Hudson. He and I had a few… words.”
Well, that wasn’t entirely true.Ihad words. He had mean glares and a hard-as-rock fist, which gave me evenmorewords as I connected the dots on his sudden flare-up of psychotic over-protectionism.
It was a little crazy, even for Hudson. Didn’t take me too long to figure out what was going on.
He’d bonded with her.
Fucking gargoyle. Nine hundred years without a bonded mate, and fate decided to offer up Haley?MyHaley?
My blood still boiled just to think of it.
“Elian,” she demanded. “What the hell did you do to him?”
“Me?” I laughed. “Thanks for the sympathy.I’mthe one with the nearly dislocated jaw.”
“I’d bet my favorite stake you had it coming. Hudson’s a total sweetheart—he wouldn’t hit you for no reason.”
“You’ve known him all of an hour.”
“Oh? Is there an official amount of time for when you can say you’ve known someone? A few years, maybe? Or is it that you’re supposed to live with them, fall in love, and plan a whole future together first? Because that plan didn’t work out so hot for me, so I’m thinking maybe time and proximity aren’t always factors in how well you know a man.”
I closed my eyes. Bit back a curse. Gave her a little space.
“I deserved that,” I said.
“Maybe, but…” She bit her lip and lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t keep blowing up at you about the past. You’re helping me now, and that’s enough.”
I moved in again. Tucked my finger under her chin until she met my gaze once more. “There’s a lot you’re not saying. Don’t think I’m blind to it.”
