Death and Relaxation (Ordinary Magic #1)(70)

“Uh-huh. Maybe you should stay with me tonight.”

I sighed. “Okay, I’m a little tipsy, but not drunk. I am also a little sick to my stomach from all that rhubarb. I plan to drink half a bottle of Maalox, take a bath, and sleep.”

“You sure? I’m…” She chewed on the inside of her cheek and glanced up at the house. “I’m feeling like maybe I should go up there with you.”

“Nope. No. You are officially relieved from duty. I can bathe myself.”

“I—”

“No. Good night, Myra.” I tugged open the door and stepped out into the cold air, shivering as it whipped over my bare skin.

“Good night, Delaney. I’m watching you until you lock the door behind you.”

“Fine. Good. Night.” I tromped to the steps and took them at a steady pace, one hand sliding along the metal railing, wind chopping in wet and salty from the west.

I didn’t have to find my keys because I didn’t lock the front door. So I pushed the door open, waved at Myra, then stepped in and shut it behind me.

Someone was in the room. I could feel it like a pressure between my shoulders.

I didn’t have my gun on me, and the one I kept in the house was tucked away in my bedroom.

I pulled off my coat and tossed it in the little chair by the door, acting as if I didn’t know I had company. I casually pulled my phone up into my palm.

“Long night?” a voice asked from the darkness near my kitchen.

I knew that voice.

“Hey, Ryder.” I hadn’t turned my phone off, but hadn’t dialed for backup yet. “Why are you in the dark, in my kitchen?”

Are you a murderer?

There was a snap and a flare of light as a match flickered to life. “I made a promise.” He bent and lit a candle on the bookshelf outside the kitchen, then moved to light three more. “And I am a man of my word.”

“Do those words include ‘breaking’ and ‘entering’?”

Why does Rossi think you’re so dangerous?

His smile in the soft yellow light carved deep hollows of shadows beneath his jaw and under his cheekbones.

“I know those words,” he admitted. “But only one of them might be on the agenda tonight.”

I tucked my phone in my front pocket. “What are you playing at here, Ry?”

He looked up at me, eyes deep as still waters in this light, soft and needful. “Who says I’m playing?”

I swallowed hard. “Then what are you doing?”

“I’m lighting candles.” He touched another match to more candles set on the little side tables near the couch. “What are you doing, Delaney?”

I realized I had taken a couple steps inside the door and had rooted in place. “I’m…uh…standing.”

Trying to decide if I can trust you.

He inhaled, holding back a laugh.

“Shut up,” I said. “I’ve had a long day and never want to see another rhubarb in my life.” I got moving toward the bedroom, pausing in the doorway there. “I’m taking a bath. I don’t know what you’re here for, Ryder, but if it’s dessert, don’t bother. I’m not good for anything except sleeping. So you and your matches should go.”

He shook out the match pinched between his fingers and walked toward me. “All right.” He stopped right in front of me. We stood there, facing each other. My breathing was a little fast, and I couldn’t seem to look away from the candlelight caressing his skin. Couldn’t stop myself from wondering what he would look like naked in it. What he would feel like naked. In my bed right over there.

The vampire doesn’t like you. Doesn’t trust you. Why?

“Can I kiss you good night, Delaney?” I liked the sound of my name on his tongue. Liked it a lot. Maybe the vampire didn’t know what he was talking about.

I hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours. And that, along with the day, the song of power that still felt like a knuckle pressing out from behind my eyes, and the mix of alcohols I’d downed in a short span of time all made me feel like maybe it would be fine to sink here to the floor and get a little shuteye.

But then, there was a perfectly soft, comfortable bed just a few steps away. It might be worth the effort to walk over there. Just.

Except there was a man in front of me. Waiting for an answer.

Yes. Kiss me. Make me forget about the power, the vampire, the murder, and this town.

“Ryder.” I didn’t know what I was going to follow that up with. I lifted my hands, as if somehow he would understand the words I couldn’t even find.

His gaze flicked across my face and he bit his bottom lip briefly. “Mmm.” His shoulders squared and he nodded as if he’d made a decision. “Bed, I think.” He took my wrist in one hand and guided me off toward the bed.

“I don’t—”

“I know,” he said. “You’re exhausted. We’ll take a rain check on dessert.” He walked me to the head of my bed and tugged at my hand so I’d sit.

I yawned and pushed at the toe of my boot with my other foot, trying to pop them off without unlacing. “Yeah,” I said. “Probably best. I couldn’t eat another bite. And I think I got a contact high from sitting next to Old Rossi for two hours.”