Page 66 of Bound By Fire
She looks at me for a long second, and I can’t tell what she’s thinking.
“It’s a simple question. Do you have a boyfriend who could stay with you tonight? It would make me feel much better.”
She studies me for a beat.
“Yes, I have a boyfriend.” She squares her shoulders. “I’ll call him. He would be happy to stay the night,” she says.
Of course he would. Lucky bastard!
I’m not sure why I thought she was still single, given how intelligent, successful, and fucking beautiful she is.
I am an asshole for the small, sour twist that hits my chest.
We had sex one time. Months ago.
She is on a list at the Council. She is somebody I am here to investigate. She might be passing information off the island. She might be exactly what they think she is, and I don’t even know her well enough to tell.
I need to get my head out of my ass.
“Good,” I make myself say. “Lock the door behind me. Don’t open it until your boyfriend gets here and then lock the place down tight for the night.”
“Yes, Commander.” There’s a hint of her old wiseass side in it, and I hate that I like it.
“I mean it.”
“I know you do.”
I step out into the hallway. She’s standing in the doorframe in her socked feet, ponytail still messy from a long day, one shoulder against the jamb.
“Goodnight, Ridge.”
“Goodnight, Robyn.”
The door clicks shut, and she locks it.
Good!
I walk back down the hall.
My dragon starts clawing at my chest at the thought of her boyfriend walking through that door tonight.
I wish I had permission to shift and to fly. I’m not due until Wednesday afternoon, and at this rate, I might have to cancel.
Then I think about going to a bar and picking up someone to lose myself in for the night, but the thought is unappealing.
I’ll go home and try to get some rest.
For half a beat, I’m tempted – once again – to speak with Reed about finding someone else to do this job, but I’m already too invested.
I’ll see it through.
