ChapterSeven
Saffron
"So,is this the serial killer den?"
Lock laughed as he eased me down just outside his door so he could pull out his keys. He slid the heavy steel door on its track and then stepped aside. "Ladies first. Or can you not walk?"
I shook my head. "I can walk. You didn't have to carry me all the way here."
"It's only three streets over."
"You know what I mean."
I liked his loft. It fit him somehow. I barely knew this bloke, but I knew that his place somehow fit. The trim was a mix of wood and steel, some chrome, but there were eclectic pieces of art from what looked like all over the world. A mismatch of paintings and artwork on every surface. A couch that looked comfortable and lived in.
"I like your place."
He gave me a nod. "It was mine and my brother's for when we were in the city or stopping through. But it’s mine now."
I frowned at his word choice. "You said it was yours and your brother's."
He licked his bottom lip. "He died. Five years ago."
I winced. "Shit, I'm so sorry."
"It's all right. I guess. That's supposedly the right response you're supposed to give people. I miss him every day."
"It must have been a special relationship for you guys to be able to share a place together."
He shrugged. "Yeah. Charlie was the best."
"Lachlan and Charlie?"
He shook his head laughing. "Lachlan and Charleston. If you can imagine that."
"Oh my God, your parents."
"Oh yes, just as pretentious as you would believe they would be." He indicated the bathroom. "Just through there. I'll grab the first aid kit and meet you there."
"You don't have to do all this. I'm fine."
"You keep saying that. I’ll determine if you’re okay. Did you hear from your mate?"
"I love that you know Tabs already. She texted back. She said she will sever you from your balls if you hurt me."
"Of that, I have little doubt."
His bathroom was the sort of thing you saw in Architectural Digest. Clean and modern. But instead of the proverbial white that was the style of all modern bathrooms these days, it was all black and grays, and the effect was gorgeous. He had one of those sauna steam showers, and all I wanted to do was jump in.
The floor was that wood looking tile, ceramic, I think. It was beautiful. The backsplash was all shimmering browns and golds with a really ornate enormous mirror. When he joined me, he indicated the chair at the vanity. "Take a seat."
"This is ridiculous. I'm fine."
He also had a T-shirt he offered. "Something to change into. You probably got some blood on yours."
I glanced down at my top which was mostly a shimmering metallic panel on the front and some strings. The top was entirely backless, and once I let go, my breasts would be screaming for freedom. The top was free of blood, but it would be nice to cover up a little more. I was too exposed.
"Thank you."