Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(28)

What the hell had happened to me? Everything was going so swimmingly … I ran through the events in my mind. It had to have been the champagne. Somehow – and I had no idea how – I must have drunk from the spiked glass instead of Byron. That would explain why I’d felt the sudden urge to throw caution to the wind and fling myself at him. And the current wham-wham pounding in my head. Frankly, it was a bloody good thing that I’d passed out before things went any further.

I scowled. He didn’t have to strip me though. And he could have put my unconscious body in the second bedroom. Or on the sofa.

His breath, hot on the back of my neck, was soft and even. I’d just have to hope he was a sound sleeper because I was getting into that safe and getting the Lia Saifire right now. Enough was enough.

As gingerly as I could, I wriggled my hips forward to extricate myself from his leg. Then I reached down for his arm and tried to loosen his grip. He murmured something in his sleep and tightened his hold. Crapadoodle. I tried again.

Inch by slow inch, I slid down and forward, trying to create enough room so I could roll free. I could climb up glass-faced buildings, jump down elevator shafts and perform acrobatic feats that the general public would find impossible, yet freeing myself from one stupid, sleeping Sidhe was almost impossible. In the end, I pulled myself away with a sharp tug. I hadn’t had much choice.

I sprang backwards and looked at Byron. He was still fast asleep, long lashes curling against his cheek. His hair was rumpled and he remained as sexy as hell. Mentally I slapped myself. Get a grip, girl.

Spying my dress on a nearby chair, I tiptoed over and grabbed it. I shimmied into it, just managing to pull up the zip, then edged to the safe. Byron hadn’t moved a muscle. This was good. I’d just reached the wardrobe, however, and was sliding it open to access the safe when there was a sudden cough. Shite.

‘What are you doing?’ he asked, sleep blurring his voice.

‘Uh, just looking for my shoes!’ I sang out. Damn it.

He sat up. ‘You’re leaving?’

Not without the Lia Saifire, I wasn’t. ‘Yes,’ I said, doing what I could to look guilt-ridden. ‘Walk of shame.’

Byron ran a hand through his hair while I tried very hard not to notice the ripples in his chest. Not hard enough. ‘You can stay,’ he said. ‘I can order in breakfast.’

There was a traitorous part of me that loved that idea. We could sit across the table from each other, nibbling at croissants, then… ‘I really should go. I’ve got, um, work.’

‘Oh. Okay then.’

Was that disappointment or relief in his face? ‘Well,’ I said airily, ‘it was nice meeting you. Thanks for the champagne and sorry about the, you know, falling unconscious part. I should remember to eat next time.’ Not that there would be a next time. I pivoted on my heel.

‘Integrity, wait.’

I turned slowly back. ‘Yes?’

His eyes fixed on me, freezing my body into place. ‘Nothing happened last night. I’m not that kind of guy. You conked out so quickly that I was worried. It made more sense to keep you with me so I could check on you.’ He inhaled. ‘I’d really like to see you again.’

I almost snorted. He’d not achieved end-game status yet; that was why he didn’t want this to be over. So predictable. ‘Sure,’ I said. ‘I’ll call you.’

‘You don’t have my number.’

I shrugged. ‘The hotel is pretty well known. I’ll find you.’

Before I could leave, Byron got to his feet. Without meaning to, my eyes drifted down. He was wearing a pair of silky black boxers and nothing else. I stared for a moment at the trail of hair leading downwards and swallowed, then glanced up again. His mouth twitched and he stepped right in front of me.

‘Why do I get the feeling that you’re giving me brush off?’ he asked, reaching out and fingering my hair lightly.

I tried to smile. ‘I don’t know. Perhaps it happens to you a lot?’

‘Girls don’t normally try and run out the door. They normally try and hang around for as long as possible.’

I bet they did. ‘What can I say? I’m a busy person.’

His gaze heated up. ‘Promise me that you’ll call. I’m in meetings all day but I’ll be free after six.’

I looked straight at him. ‘I promise,’ I lied.

‘Good.’ He bent his head until his breath was hot against my neck. ‘I’ll look forward to it,’ he whispered.

I almost ran out of the room. I could swear he chuckled as the door closed behind me. So he was good looking, I told myself. And I could feel fizzy lust zipping through my system whenever I looked at him. It was merely a combination of the drugs and the fact that it had been too long since I’d had a man. He was a sexy guy and I wasn’t immune. It didn’t make me want to marry him or have his babies any more than he wanted that from me. I sighed. He certainly lived up to his reputation.

Locating my shoes at the far end of the sofa, I scooped them up along with my bag. There wasn’t a peep from Bob so at least something was going my way. I clumped out to the front door, keeping one wary eye on Byron’s bedroom. When I was sure he wasn’t about to suddenly appear, I wrenched open the door and stood back, letting it slam shut. There was still no sound from the bedroom. Perfect. I tiptoed over to the silent unoccupied second bedroom and sneaked inside.