Page 56 of Bewitching Her Monsters
“I’m older than you,” I tell her.
Her mouth drops open. She won’t believe me. I know I don’t look my age. Most supernaturals and many witches don’t look their ages.
She gives me a distrustful glare and says, “That can’t be. You don’t look over thirty.”
I grin and shrug. “It’s true.”
“Well, you look like a player—at whatever age you really are.”
“Like I said before, I don’t have flings.” This is turning sour fast. She can’t understand why I like her? She just has to look in the mirror. And her personality? I fucking love all her quirkiness. I frown and sigh. “Look… if you don’t like me, then just say that. Don’t make excuses. Tell me if you aren’t interested in me. But please, don’t assume I’m a player. I don’t make a habit of what happened between us last night. I can’t remember when someone has captivated me the way you do.”
It’s true. Not even Osen grabbed my attention as she did.
“You are very attractive, and… I like you… a lot. Probably too much.” Jade rests her elbows on the table. She gives me a sad expression of grief and weariness. “I barely got out of a terrible relationship alive because I let him get too close too fast. I’m not even sure why I allowed it to happen.”
“With Rob?” I ask.
“Yeah.” She studies her fingers, unwilling to look at me while she shatters my dreams. “So even though I’m actually very attracted toyou, I don’t want to fall into another situation. I thought I was into him, but it quickly felt like he had tricked me. I’m not accusing you of that, but…”
This Rob person concerns me even more now. “You make it sound like you weren’t very attracted to Rob.”
“I wasn’t… His looks, personality, and energy were all wrong for me.” She shrugs. “I’m not surewhyI was with him. Even the sex was bland and pointless.”
I barely fight back a growl. I don’t want to imagine Jade fucking that male.
Instead, I turn the growl into a hum, considering what she confessed. Rob is sounding more and more like a warlock.
“And it appears he’s stalking me. I’m sorry, but it wasn’t smart of me to let you stay last night. Or even hang out at the bar. You might have been dragged into my drama already.”
“I’m not being dragged. I walked into this with you willingly. And if something happens, I want to be there to help you.”
She hears the sincerity in my voice and clasps my hand as I offer it to her over the table. “I appreciate everything you are doing. You’re being amazing, but I still need this to go slow. I can’t make the same mistake. I hope you understand that.”
“Understood.” I grin. “So, in the spirit of open communication, I would like to know exactly how slow. When would you like to go out again?”
“Give me a couple of days?” Jade offers, “How about Saturday?”
* * *
Reluctantly, I leave Jade to her writing. I plan to meet with the guys at our safe house, which is a few miles from Jade’s. She lives on the border of the supernatural side of town, not that she realizes it.
Between all our magical wardings, the safe house is reasonably secure. We don’t have much here, as we set this up for emergency use only. But we have a safe place to rest our heads.
I don’t go directly to our hideout, since I worry that whoever is watching her could also be following me. I must drive all over town until I’m certain I haven’t been tailed.
Pulling up to the single-story large ranch-style house, I appreciate how non-assuming it appears. From the outside, you wouldn’t expect some of the deadliest supes reside here. The trimmed yard is basic and unremarkable. The house gives off grandmotherly vibes from the curb.
But inside, it’s sparsely decorated and filled with weapons. Maxum invested in the basic furnishing of comfy couches and recliners. All five bedrooms have king-sized beds because we’re all big guys, and in the past, we sometimes slept together.
If I hadn’t been over at Jade’s the last few days, I might have risked bringing more stuff from my house. But as it is, all I have is not much more than what was in my go-bag when Osen died.
When I walk in the wide door, all three guys give me a disappointed look.
“What?” I snap.
Surprisingly, it’s Flint, the taciturn gargoyle who lectures me. “What are you doing with her? Your actions are dangerous, no matter how you look at this situation.”
“Dangerous for who?” I growl.
