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“I appreciate your consideration,” she said. “I admit that my other vision makes me clumsy at times. But it’s embarrassing to know that you feel you have to take my arm and escort me down the street so that I don’t fall flat on my face.”
“So that’s what this is about.” Ambrose took a step toward her, closing the distance between them. “Allow me to clarify things. I don’t need to hold your hand to know if you’re about to stumble. I can sense it in your aura. I was holding your hand because I like touching you.”
“Oh,” she said. She tried to think of something more intelligent to say but nothing came to mind.
He liked touching her.
The energy in the atmosphere between them always felt charged with a unique vibe. She had been aware of it from the moment of that first chaotic meeting in the ruins of the asylum. Their relationship was layered and complicated with many different elements, but here and now in the darkness it was the energy of a thrilling sexual attraction and the promise of intense intimacy that dominated.
“Pallas, I need an answer,” Ambrose whispered. “Would you rather I didn’t touch you?”
For a heartbeat or two she no longer required oxygen. She couldlive on this kind of energy. She raised one hand and stroked her fingertips along the side of his face.
“I want you to touch me and I want to touch you,” she whispered. “I just want us to touch each other for the right reasons.”
His eyes burned in the shadows. Without another word he caught her face in his hands and pulled her close. When his mouth came down on hers she could have sworn she had been struck by lightning. The night exploded.
Dazzled, she threw herself into the searing embrace. The kiss overwhelmed her senses. She had never experienced anything like it.
“Does that feel like the right reason to you?” Ambrose said against her mouth. “Because it sure does to me.”
“Yes,” she said. “This feels right.”
His mouth came back down on hers. She would have been content to stand there in the middle of the sidewalk kissing Ambrose for the rest of her life, but reality slammed home in the shape of youthful voices.
“Get a room, you two. That’s what adults do.”
“Faculty. Always trying to pretend they’re still cool. It’s sad, really.”
“What do you want to bet he’s cheating on his wife?”
“Wait, I think that’s the podcast team. They actually are sort of cool. I heard they found the body of that creep who was running the sleep clinic today. Hey, Ms.Llewellyn, did you find any paranormal evidence at the scene?”
Ambrose broke off the kiss. “We’re setting a bad example for today’s youth. What do you say we take their suggestion and get a room?”
“Good idea,” Pallas said.
Ambrose grabbed her hand. She tucked the messenger bag under one arm and together they ran the final half block to the hotel, laughing, and escaped into the lobby.
Several heads turned when they burst through the front door. Pallas caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the bar. Theo was sitting alone at a table. Evidently he had not given up and left town. He saw her and started to get to his feet. There was no mistaking the shocked look on his face. In fairness, everyone in the lobby had turned to stare.
Pallas decided to ignore all of them. She was riding a wave of excitement and anticipation. She could not abide the idea of waiting for the elevator. She tightened her grip on Ambrose’s hand and headed for the stairs.
Ambrose gave her a wicked smile and took the heavy messenger bag. She did not argue.
“My room or yours?” Ambrose said when they reached the third floor.
“Mine,” she said, struggling to catch her breath. “I won’t have to redecorate.”
“Right. We have to stop at my room first, though.”
“Why?”
“Condoms.” He paused on the third-floor landing. “Unless you brought some?”
“No. Wait. You brought some?” She wasn’t sure how to take that.
“I’m hoping there are a couple somewhere in the bottom of my duffel left over from the old days when I used to have a sex life.”
