15
When dawn finally broke,she was lying on the floor of the mausoleum, her head on Gideon’s chest. He had summoned a dry coat—the best he could rustle up for them, and they were lying atop it. She stretched with a yawn and snuggled closer to him. He was warm against the chilly air. It didn’t help that she had suffered through the act of putting back on her rain-soaked underwear, but that was all. He had put on his pants, but he had clearly hated every single second of it.
Now she really, really wanted a hot bath.
And she wondered if he’d join her.
He had promised to leave her bruised, and he certainly had. But it was the kind of sore that felt amazing. Like working out just a little too hard at the gym. She kissed his chin, and he smiled peacefully.
He looked so happy, lying there with his eyes shut, his arm tucked beneath his head.
“Good morning.” She sat up and stretched with another yawn. Looking down, she blinked and then laughed. She was still wearing his tie. She played with the end of it, and when she turned her attention back to him, the expression on his face as he watched her made her face go warm.
Not because of the lust in his eyes.
No, it was because of the love.
“My souvenir.” She tossed the end of it behind her shoulder like a scarf. “You can’t have it back.”
“It will disappear when I change shape again.”
“Lame.”
“But I’ll make sure to get you one of the real ones from my collection.” He reached up and gently ran his fingers over her arm. “It looks good on you.”
“You’re just saying that because I’m half naked and you fucked my brains out last night.” Leaning down over him, she kissed him, holding the embrace for a moment before reluctantly breaking it. “But I’ll take the compliment and your best tie when we get back.”
“I am going to have to restock my wardrobe, aren’t I?”
“If you’re lucky.” Sitting back up, she climbed unsteadily to her feet. She had draped her pants over the edge of the sarcophagus along with her shirt the night before, and upon investigation, discovered that they were stiff and crunchy. Ew. That was going to suck. But there was no fixing the situation. If she wanted to get out of there and do it not in her underwear, the gnarly jeans had to go back on.
Didn’t stop her from whining the entire time. When she heard Gideon chuckling at her, she shot him a glare as she pulled her shirt back on. She’d leave her socks and shoes until last. “Oh, shut up, Dr. I-Come-With-My-Own-Magical-Menswear-Department.”
“We’ll be home shortly, and you can spend all day in the jacuzzi tub. I’ll bring you expensive wine and cheese, and then I will light a fire in the evening, and you can fall asleep as warm and cozy as you could wish for.”
“Somebody just wants to get laid a second time.” She snickered and pulled her shirt over her head. Not as bad as the pants, but still gross. “Bleh.” When he didn’t respond, she turned to him. The look on his face had fallen considerably. “Gideon?”
He was staring up at the ceiling, his expression unreadable.
“Gideon, what is it?”
“Nothing.” He disappeared into dark mist that pooled on the floor. Sure enough, she watched in fascination as the tie around her neck dissolved and joined the mass that was the rest of him. His coat disappeared along with it. When he reformed, he was fully dressed and impeccable as always.
“Cheater.”
He smirked, but it faded quickly. “The soldiers are gone. My spirits have swept the yard. If they are lingering nearby, they will be reticent to try anything foolish with the city waking up to its morning routine.” He held his hand out to her. “Come. Let’s go.”
“Hey. No. Wait. What just happened?” She stepped up to him, not letting him turn away from her. “Gideon. Look at me.”
Silver eyes reluctantly turned to her.
She jabbed him in the chest. “Don’t you dare ghost me.”
“Is that another pun?” He grunted as she smacked his chest.
“Knock it off. Talk to me. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. I had a wonderful night. I could have done without the holy soldiers and the threat of you coming under bodily harm, but I am…happy, Marguerite.” He picked up her hands and held them together, leaning down to kiss her fingers. “The gift you have given me is one I will cherish forever. Thank you for sharing yourself with me, even just for a night.”