But Asa…
He was complicated in a way I didn’t need or want right now. Maybe ever. He had baggage, a full set. Just like me. He probably had a history that would turn human hair white. Also like me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in Black Hat.
I didn’t understand Asa’s cultures well enough to grasp if his interest was reciprocal, or if his possessive tendencies came with the dominant daemon package.
And it was a nice package.
I really had to stop thinking about his package.
For a split second before the door between rooms swung open, I entertained taking a cold shower.
“Hey, Dollface.” Clay carried three black bags to the table. “How’s Shorty?”
Still fuzzy around the edges, I squinted at him. “Shorty?”
“Colby?” He snorted. “She needs a nickname, so I don’t slip up in front of the wrong people.”
Not a bad idea, and it warmed me that he hit her with a nickname so fast, whatever his reasons.
“Mad.” I rolled a shoulder. “I missed our chat time.”
We scheduled it before I left, to be sure we kept up with one another while I was away.
“I told her you had to be carried in.” Clay shook his head. “Guess that didn’t make a dent.”
“Nope.” I claimed a chair. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Name it.” He unpacked three laptops and shoved them into position. “What do you need?”
A pinch in my chest reminded me why I had missed this, missed him, so much.
Clay might not technically be a person, but he was good people.
“Can you call Colby if this happens again? Just let her know I’m okay, and I’ll be in touch later?”
“Is that all?” He snorted. “Done.”
Asa carried an armload of junk food and dumped it on the table. “I brought snacks.”
The crinkle of a potato chip bag set my stomach grumbling. “Bless you, kind sir.”
“I told him what you like.” Clay shot his partner a narrow-eyed stare. “You should thank me.”
“Thank you, other kind sir.” I swatted his arm. “What’s with the territoriality?”
“You know how it is.” Clay finished setting up and sat gingerly in his chair. “Daemons will be daemons.”
“I don’t know how it is or even what that means.” I selected a computer. “I assume that was the point?”
“There’s no denying my daemon side is intrigued by you,” Asa said smoothly. “It worries Clay.”
There was a world of difference between Asa telling me he was interested versus his daemon.
“You don’t sound concerned.” I opened a bag of chips and popped one in my mouth. “Should I be?”
“I won’t harm you, no.” He hesitated. “Neither will the daemon.”
If Clay had been sucking on a lemon, he couldn’t look sourer. “Just know I’m watching you, Ace.”