Gargoyle (Woodland Creek)(14)
Lost in my worries for how this evening was going to go, I didn’t even notice the meat was burning before me. Sniffing heavily, I glanced down and then began cursing up a storm as smoke clouded the kitchen and the open living room area. Quickly turning off the stove, I raised the windows, shoved the curtains aside, opened the blinds, and then lifted the window open. I fanned the room out the best I could, grabbing the phone and dialing the local Chinese restaurant, Super Wok, in the New Town section of Woodland Creek.
Our favorites would be delivered in less than an hour. Perfect.
I rushed into my bedroom, jumped into the shower, singing softly to myself in an effort to ignore my nerves buzzing through me like wildfire, my heart pounding rapidly. I put on my best set of black bra and panties, then a clean pair of worn jeans and a simple bubble gum pink shirt. Makeup went on next, applying just the right amount of eyeliner to make my light blue eyes really noticeable, then a quick swipe of strawberry lip-gloss. I dried my blonde, shoulder blade length hair quickly enough, still thankful it was naturally straight and thick.
I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked cute. I wasn’t a knockout beauty, but my features were small and pretty, kind of pixie-like with my own unique flare. My build was small, my assets all very normal sized for my smaller stature. It was good enough for the short notice.
The delivery gal arrived right on time, and I tipped her an extra ten spot for that. I placed the bags on the small square table I had with two matching white and black checkered chairs. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and peered around. The place was clean and smelled decent now. Glancing at the clock, I went to the windows and closed them, shutting the blinds and curtains again.
The knock sounded on the door about five minutes later.
Exhaling a steady breath, I unlatched all the locks and swung my door open, a cautious expression on my face…which quickly turned to a complete look of shock as Caleb entered my apartment, his own bag of Chinese take-out food—same place as where I had ordered mine—in his hand. I stood frozen for a full minute as he sat on my red leather couch, mute and proceeded to ignore me as he placed his bag on my black coffee table. As he began opening his bag, I blinked rapidly, my shock flying out my still open door and confusion—and irritation—quickly settling in.
My mouth parted and I muttered, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Caleb opened one of his containers. “I’m having dinner with you.” He shrugged a muscled shoulder. “Because I say so.”
I stared. “Because you say so?”
“Yes.”
I shook my head once. “No.”
Caleb picked a piece of chicken out, glancing at me. “Do you know this is my favorite Chinese food?”
My brows lifted high on my forehead. “Honestly? I don’t care.” I waved a quick hand at the open doorway, my other hand still on the doorknob. “You need to leave.”
Caleb hummed softly. “Actually, I shouldn’t.”
“What are you talking about?” My patience was warring thin and my nerves making my fingertips tingle.
“I’m staying. When your invited guest gets here, it would be problematic if I wasn’t here.” Caleb flicked a finger at my all-purpose closet next to my open bedroom door. “Because you have an uninvited guest.”
I stared.
Caleb chuckled quietly, his expression entirely too amused, his ice blue eyes holding on mine steadily. “Do you know there’s a Gargoyle hiding in your linen closet?”
My shoulders instantly stiffened as my gaze flew in that direction. I slammed my front door shut, and then stomped with all the frustration riding me at this ongoing intrusion. One hand on my hip, I flung the closet door open. There were days I wished I had a privacy spell on my apartment—to keep unwanted Gargoyles out of my home.
I stared. At nothing. “Quit hiding. Now.”
A quiet chuckle sounded directly in front of me, and then…Mike’s body appeared an inch away from mine, his tone bored. “You know an awful lot about us, Kennedy.”
I shrugged a shoulder, then grabbed his black shirt and jerked him out of my closet. “Get the hell out of here.” I shoved his hulking form a step toward my door, my cheeks flushing with righteous anger. “Get. Out.”
Caleb snickered around a mouthful of food. “Aren’t you curious why he’s here?”
“There’s only one reason why a man sneaks into a woman’s home and doesn’t steal anything. It’s either to rape them or kill them. And I’m betting it’s not the former.” I shoved him again toward the door. “I told you to leave.”
“Actually, I only want to talk with you,” he griped, setting his feet on the short carpet.
“You should have knocked then,” I grumbled, pushing on his back. He didn’t move. “I wouldn’t have answered.”
“Exactly,” Mike grumbled, then glanced at all the food on my table. “Who’s coming over?”
“None of your…” I grunted, pushing even harder, leaning into it, “…business.”
He didn’t even tilt. “How do you really know my brother?”
“Like I said, I dropped off a package there. We had words.” I kicked the back of his knee, and he grunted in surprise but stayed where he was. “Get out of my home!”