"How'd you sleep?" Gage asks, making it sound as though he actually gives a damn.
I turn away, sighing deeply.
"Like shit. I stayed awake most of the night because I was worried to damn death about those night stalkers finding us. I'm going to convince him to stay at my place the rest of the day… and tonight."
"The day won't be as bad. Night stalkers are fools if they choose to attack under the sun when a witch is stronger. Keep your ass at home tonight though."
The door shuts, letting me know Kane is back inside.
"I will. Call me if you have anything."
"Of course."
I put the phone down just as Kane joins me in the room, and his arms slide around my waist as his sweet, perfect smile forms.
"You feel like a movie and dinner here tonight?"
Smiling like a fool, I murmur, "Not here. Let's go back to my place."
His smile falls, and then he moves a piece of hair from my face.
"You don't feel comfortable here?"
Shrugging, I say, "Amy is here, but she's not at my place."
His head falls back as a sigh of exasperation falls between his lips.
"Baby, she's nothing to me. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
You can't say it enough.
"It's not about that. I just feel like I have to hide out in your room when she's here, and it's… tensing. I'm tired, exhausted actually. I kept worrying I was going to wake up and find her hovering over me with a butcher knife."
He starts laughing, showing his amusement, and then his lips lightly stroke mine.
"Sorry. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable in my home. My other roommates find you pretty fantastic."
Sure they do. As long as they think I'm a temporary play toy… which… unfortunately, that's what I have to be.
With that sobering thought of reality, I back away, fighting back my tears as I turn to head into the bathroom.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just need to head home and get some stuff done. I also need to shower, change… that sort of thing. I'll catch up with you later."
I start pulling on my shoes, and his arms wrap around me from behind. His lips press against the back of my head, and a tear slips free. I let it slide down my face so he doesn't see me wiping it away.
"I'm coming with you. We'll stay at your place until you're comfortable here, but I really don't like you being in that house alone."
My house is much safer than this one.
"Why? Is it haunted?" I tease, trying not to reveal the emotion truly choking me.
"Something like that." The way he says it is almost chilling, as if he really believes there's a dark entity lurking in the shadows of my home.
"You're scaring me a little."
His eyes tilt up, and he forces a smile. "Don't be scared. I can swear to you no harm would ever come to you. Not as long as I'm around."