ChapterNine
I’d been kissedby a dragon, and wow.To say I liked it would be an understatement.I knew of passion.Read of it.Saw it in movies.Sometimes even viewed it in person, as universities tended to be a breeding ground for erotic affairs.However, while I’d always been an involved partner when the mood struck, I’d never been so overwhelmed that I forgot everything.
In that moment, he could have lain me on the ground, and I would have let him take whatever liberties he wanted.Heck, staring at him, his eyes smoldering, his expression stunned, I almost threw myself at him to finish what he’d started.
As if Alistair sensed my thoughts, his expression twisted into his usual scowling mien.“We’re wasting time.”
I could have said something provocative, like we’d paused because of his actions; however, I might have already pushed him too far.Let him simmer for a bit.After all, if he’d been overcome enough to kiss me once, then surely, he’d do so again.
I hoped.
We walked in silence, a rarity for me.Only upon our arrival at the edge of Mallaig did he finally speak.“You can probably call a taxi now, as I assume your hotel is closer to the ferry dock than the edge of town.”
“Good guess.Hold on a moment while I look it up.”I already had a number in my phone, having used a taxi from the bus depot to reach my accommodations.
It turned out to be a wait of only a few minutes, minutes he spent looking at everything but me.I bit my inner cheek lest I grin.To think, me, a dusty professor of my age, had discomfited an ancient dragon.It made me feel positively powerful and beautiful.While not a vain woman, I did recognize I had some pleasant features and an acceptable body.Curvier than some would like, but I hated diets—and exercise for that matter.I only stayed fit because I walked everywhere when back in Aberdeen.From my apartment to the university, around the many campus buildings, to the stores when I needed to shop.
Alistair seemed to like my curves, given how he’d been cupping my bottom when we kissed, his hands big enough to palm my cheeks.Perhaps he preferred a more plentiful woman, because from what I’d felt pressing against my belly, he had a girth that someone too petite might find difficult to accommodate.
Oh, my.The dirty direction of my thoughts had me blushing.Probably a good thing Alistair didn’t look my way or he’d wonder why.
The taxi arrived in short order, and soon we were at the hotel, where a trio of police cars sat parked with lights flashing but sirens off.
When I pulled out my wallet, Alistair growled and tossed some cash at the driver.If he wanted to pay, let him.
We exited the cab, but Alistair held me back rather than let me head for the hotel entrance.“Where do you think you’re going?”he asked.
“My room.”
“We should find out what happened first.”
“And how are we going to do that standing outside?”
“It’s called being discreet,” he drawled.
“I would have said paranoid.It’s doubtful the police presence has anything to do with us, seeing as we just arrived.But since you’re too chicken to go find out…” I pulled free from his arm and marched away from him and entered the hotel to see a uniformed officer talking to the front desk clerk, a young man I’d not seen before.
I sauntered over and didn’t have to fake being nervous.“Evening.Is there an issue I should know about?”
The police officer turned to me and frowned.“Excuse me, ma’am, but this is an active investigation.Please depart the premises.”
“Are you saying I’m not allowed to return to my room?I’m paid until the end of the week.”Back when I’d assumed Alistair would be reasonable and allow me to search the castle for treasure.Things had greatly changed since then, for the better, I’d say, if one ignored the Red Cap attack and my fall from the cliff.
“Of course you can go to your room, ma’am,” the clerk hastened to say.“Just so long as it’s not on the fourth floor, which has currently been blocked off due to an incident.”
Should I mention that my room was located on that level?I chose caution.“Oh dear.I’m on the floor above.I’m not in any danger, am I?”I opened my eyes wide.
“No.Whoever broke into a guest’s room appears to have departed.”The clerk offered a fake reassuring smile.
“All this commotion for a robbery,” I scoffed.
“We’re investigating a murder,” the police officer huffed as if offended by my tone.
“How horrible!”I clasped my hand to my mouth and hoped they didn’t wonder at my trembling fingers.
“O’Malley!”someone shouted, and the officer glanced away before murmuring, “Excuse me.”
The clerk watched him go and shook his head.“I can’t believe we had a guest killed and no one saw or heard a thing.”
