“If that’s a demon, I won’t have anything on my conscience.”
“I won’t be a burden. You can do your job just fine with me in a hotel. You saw me at my worst last week. I’m not that girl who needs saving.”
“I didn’t think you were. I only want to see you safe.” He held his hands up.
“I can tell you’re used to taking the lead in your life. I don’t operate well that way.”
He took a step closer. “How do you operate best?”
She could feel the heat from his body seeping into her. His minty breath caressed her face. Her mouth dried out like a sea star in hot weather. The gold flecks in his green eyes warmed her from the inside out. Lost in the tractor beam of his gaze, she swayed toward him.
“When I’m asked nicely and respectfully.”
“Please come home with me until we figure this out.”
“Why, Micah?” she whispered breathlessly.
“Because this is about more than a case, Dai
ze.”
“What’s that?”
He smirked. “Are you going to make me say it?”
“Yeah. I’m going to need you to do that.”
“I’m interested in more than keeping you safe, Daize. I tried to ignore the chemistry between us, keep things professional and separated. But I don’t act the way I should when I’m with you. I want to be more than your paranormal investigator.”
“You don’t even know me.” Her brow furrowed as she shook her head.
“Yet. What I’m saying is I’d like to get to know you. I keep the people I care about safe. My brothers and I run a company together, so I’m used to giving orders and being listened to. I can come off as heavy-handed. It’s not my intention, and I apologize.”
She wanted to deny his words. But the connection she’d formed with him was potent. For the first time in months, she no longer felt all alone in her new hometown. It was fast, unexpected, and completely inconvenient. None of it mattered.
“I want that, too. Apology accepted.”
They smiled at one another. “Let’s get out of here.” He took the bag from her. “I got this.” She relinquished control, holding onto the happiness she’d discovered in the midst of turmoil.
Chapter Three
Micah
“What did you say your occupation was again?” Daize asked as they walked into the gray building.
He knew the question would come up. The luxury condominium complex placed him at a certain tax bracket. He flipped on the light. She paused in the foyer. “You have a spiral staircase.”
“Yeah. It was one of the major selling points for my brother and me. Well, Asher. I have three brothers all together. I’m part-owner of Davenport Chocolates with my four siblings.”
“People here in Cincinnati must have one hell of a sweet tooth.” Her dry tone made him laugh out loud.
“Well, it’s an old, established family business. Our ancestors put in the hard work. We’ve maintained and built on what they started.”
“I like the way you acknowledge those who came before you. My dad’s Hawaiian and respecting, honoring, and remembering our ancestors and our history is a huge part of his culture.”
“Without them, I’m not sure what my family would be doing. My siblings and I all work there in some capacity. We uh ... inherited it when our parents died unexpectedly.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. Deep down where he could almost hide it from himself, that lost boy looking for signs that his parents lingered who felt excitement about the activity in her apartment. Unlike all the other cases he participated on, this had real interaction with an intelligent spirit. What would it reveal to them? Could this be the incident that helped him achieve the peace he’d worked so hard for?
His siblings had all moved on. He alone remained trapped behind, worried about where his parents had actually gone. At times, he thought he could feel them near.