Dangerous Games (Riley Jenson Guardian 4)

"Not yet. It appears to be some form of glyphs. We're trying to find a match."

"Anything else of interest in Cole's report, then?"

"Yeah, you were being a pain in the ass at the scene. Not that that's a surprise."

"Hey, I was just asking questions. He needs an attitude adjustment." And a good dose of werewolf sex. "How did Dunleavy actually die?"

"Heart attack."

I raised my eyebrows. "Really?"

"The initial attack happened during the skinning, the fatal one after eleven."

Which was about when I'd been entering his flat. The poor man probably thought I was Gautier coming back to finish him off. "What about the time of death of the woman?"

"About eight. Which means Gautier had to have some means of getting out of there without facing sunlight, even if the old girl next door didn't see it."

"Logically, speaking, I'd agree. But I've just got a feeling something more is going on."

"You tried to clarify that feeling?"

"I can't clarify something that's as tenuous as a feeling."

"Yes, you can. You just need more training."

"What I need is more sleep. Especially if you want me out with Jin tonight."

"Take the day off, but keep your phone on in case I need to contact you."

"Done deal."

I hung up and headed back inside. The smell of hazelnut coffee swam through the air and I just about drooled. "You've been preparing for my visit."

He nodded as he dished up several pancakes. "It's the only reason I have food in the house. Normally, I don't."

I propped on a stool and leaned my arms against the bench. "So it's been a while since you invited another woman here?"

He added bacon and eggs to the plate, slid the lot across the bench, then looked me in the eye. "I've never invited a woman here before."

I raised my eyebrows, even as a warmth I couldn't even begin to explain spread throughout my body. "Never, ever?"

"Never, ever."

"Wow." I picked up my knife and fork. "Thank you for the honor."

His sudden smile was filled with warm amusement, and once again my hormones stirred to sluggish life. Jin had better be a short-term job, because I sure as hell wasn't liking the impact he was having on my sex life. I mean, normally I'd be jumping over the bench after a smile like that.

"At least you can no longer say I don't share anything of myself."

I wanted to point out that this was just a house, even if was his sanctuary, and that what I'd been talking about was him. His past, his hopes, his dreams - everything that had made him the vampire he was today. But I didn't. It was a step forward, and for now, that was enough.

"So, are you just planning to tease me with that delicious coffee smell?"

His smile stretched, then he turned to grab a cup and pour the coffee. I admired the view, wished I had more energy, and began consuming the meal he gave me.

After breakfast, coffee, and gentle small talk, he took my hand and led me down the small hall to his bedroom. "You need to sleep." He pulled down the handmade patchwork quilt that covered the big old wooden bed, then gave me a stern look. "Alone."

"Well, that's never any fun."