“I assume you want to know what happened.”
“Yes, Bryce said you ran into some of Gabriel’s soldiers. He said they attacked you. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am well, Goldie. Most of the blood was not mine—”
“Most of it?”
“Well, some of it was mine, but I have since healed. I must admit, it feels nice to know someone worries for my wellbeing.” He moved so that our legs were touching.
“Of course I worry about you. You’ve been an important part of my life for a while.”
“Is that the only reason you worry for me?”
I looked into his smoky grey eyes.
“Well… no.”
“Good.” He covered my lips with his.
After daydreaming about it for years, I let my fingers run through his dark brown shoulder length hair, over his shoulders to his biceps and back again. His hands were taking their own journey over my body as he deepened the kiss. I pressed into them as they skimmed my breasts and pulled a deep moan from him that sent a thrill through me.
As quickly as the kiss had begun, it was over, and Ian was standing across the room. Damn banshee-speed, I hadn’t even realized he had moved.
“What’s wrong?”
“I do not think this is a good idea.”
“I don’t know what’s upset you, but if you’re worried that whatever it is will upset me, I can assure you it will not.”
I stood and began to walk toward him.
“Please. Do not come near me.”
I ignored him and stood as close as I could without touching him.
“Please tell me what’s bothering you.”
He stared at me for a long moment before relaxing his stance. On a sigh he smiled before speaking.
“I do not know, but it is nothing you did. I need some time to think about this.”
“It’s the age difference, isn’t it?”
I have never been sure of Ian’s exact age, but from various comments over the years, I knew he was much older than me. Banshees could be hundreds of years old and still only look as though they’re in their twenties or thirties.
“You can be perceptive.”
“So I’ve been told. Age shouldn’t matter. It doesn’t matter to me. Besides, I am an adult. In both mortal and banshee sense.”
“I believe I have just proven I am aware of that fact… maybe too aware. I need time to think.”
“Okay, I’ll give you space and let you work this out. Just know that I don’t care how old you are. I am all grown up and I can decide when I am ready for a relationship, and with whom I want one. So, I am here when you’re ready.”
********
My growling stomach woke me in the morning. Healing takes a lot out of you. I slipped out of bed and groggily padded to the kitchen. I decided I wanted peanut butter waffles. Ian entered just as I poured the first of the batter onto the waffle iron.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m making waffles.”
“Waffles?”
“Yes. Have you never seen waffles?”
“Sure, I have.” His demeanor contradicted his words.
“Mm-hmm. And did you do any thinking last night?”
His mouth pulled into a crooked smile as he moved toward me. “Yes, yes I did.”
“Oh, did you now? And what have you decided?”
“That I need more time.” Seeing my disappointment, he took my hand and added, “Listen, Goldie, it has been many years since I have been in a relationship. It never worked out. If this… If you and I… You are too important.”
I’d never seen Ian insecure. I hadn’t thought it possible.
“Okay. Would it help if I move to my apartment for a bit? To give you space?” I lived at HQ most of the time but kept a small apartment as a place to get a way to when I needed alone time.
“No. It is not safe for you to be alone. Do not go off on your own. Not now.”
“Okay. Let’s just focus on finding Gabriel and ridding the world of his presence. We can discuss ‘us’ after that. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“Yeah, well, just know that once Gabe is out of the way I won’t be so patient. So, you have been warned, Ian MacBeaghne.”
He let out a laugh, and hearing it, I was a goner for sure. Head over heels and back again.
“Fair enough. I am leaving for a bit.”
“You going to feed?” He wouldn’t volunteer that information, not to me.
The first time I’d seen Ian he’d been feeding. I had thought he was a rogue banshee and that he was trying to kill the mortal. I attacked him, we fought, he won, and I woke up hours later in my bed. He had returned later that evening to explain that he wanted to recruit me into his clan.
I assume that first meeting had made him feel ashamed about his feeding, because he still wouldn’t tell me he was going to feed.
“No.”
“What? Where are you going?”
“Now that Gabriel and his gang know where we are, we need a new place to stay. I am meeting up with an old friend whom I believe will lend us one of his houses as a temporary HQ.”
“Give me a minute and I’ll come with you.”
“No.”
“Why? I can help you. What if you run into trouble?”
“No.”
“Don’t turn into Ian the Dictator again. I can help you.”
“Goldie, they are scouring the area for you as we speak. You are to stay in this house until we are sure of our move.” He spoke gently, though his pupils constricting to half their size gave away his frustration.
“Okay, but hurry because you know I can’t sit still for long.”
“Yes, well, your waffle is burning.”
Chapter Three
“Dammit!” I removed the blackened and smoking waffle and threw it into the sink.
“Talking to yourself?”
I turned to see Seth leaning against the island.
“No, just burning my breakfast. Ian just left.”
Before Seth could reply, Bryce entered the kitchen.
“Mornin’ you two. Coffee?” He held the coffeepot up to the light while frowning at its emptiness.
“Good morning, Bryce. I haven’t made any yet, but I am making peanut butter waffles.”
“Oh, what a treat! I’ll get the coffee ready.”
He began to whistle a cheerful tune as he readied the coffee machine.
“What did you mean when you said Ian left?” Seth asked.
“I meant he left. He said he was meeting an old friend to see if we can use their house as a temporary HQ.”
“Makes sense,” said Bryce at the same time Seth muttered, “Old friend?”
“It may make sense, but I don’t like that he went alone. Not after last night.”
“Qadira, as I have said many times, Ian can take care of himself. Do not worry.” Bryce was watching the coffee brew. From the vibration in the air, he was using his powers to speed up the brewing.
“Easier said than done. Seth, you okay?” He was staring at the counter with a pained expression.
“Uh… Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Did Ian say who he was meeting?”