Maybe Christian could do that mind thing on her and she could forget all about Ash for the rest of her short, miserable life.
Everything inside her screamed no to that idea.
Though maybe she wouldn’t have a choice. Because they’d said if she didn’t work with them, that was the only alternative. And right now, she did not want to work for them. She wanted to get as far away as possible.
She reeked of sex. If she was going to a meeting, she was showering first. Afterward, she had to put his robe back on. She’d left the clothes Shera had sent in the other room, and she was not putting her old things back on for a third time.
Inching open the bathroom door, she peeked outside. The room appeared empty. She tiptoed across the floor and picked up the bundle of clothes from the chair by the bed.
It turned out to be a dress. Faith couldn’t remember the last time she had worn a dress. Probably before her mother died, though even then she’d always been a tomboy. And never a dress like this. Full-length black silk that slid through her fingers, with gold embroidery around the neck and wrists.
She so did not want to put it on. But there was nothing else and she slipped out of the robe and quickly tugged the dress over her head, shivering as the material grazed her skin. The dress fit perfectly, though the front was way too low, revealing the tops of her breasts almost to the nipple and no doubt giving flashes of teeth marks. Though that was hardly likely to be cause for comment around here.
The external door opened and she jumped and whirled around. Ash stood in the doorway and she had to bite back the pain that threatened to envelope her. She wanted to run to him, except she doubted her shaky legs would carry her.
He made no attempt to hide what he was from her now. He was in what she guessed was his full demon mode. Tall, the black wings furled at his back. He wore tight black pants tucked into long black leather boots, a black shirt with the silver scabbard crossing it diagonally and the tip of his sword showing above his left shoulder. He was totally bad-ass scary, but for some reason he didn’t scare her. If he’d been going to hurt her physically, he would have done so by now. She got the distinct impression that he’d seriously considered the idea.
Maybe he was a monster, but he was one who had total control over his instincts. His expression was impassive, and she tried for the same but was pretty sure she failed. There was no way she could put this right now—what could she say: I only said you were a monster because I’m dying and I didn’t want to upset you?
No, she would have to see this through.
His eyes dipped down to take in the dress and heat flashed in his gaze. He desired her. Her nipples tightened and no doubt pressed against the thin silk of the dress—she resisted looking down. Sighing, she gave a mental shrug. He was totally aware of the affect he had on her; there wasn’t much point in trying to hide.
But he didn’t say anything, just held out a hand.
“Come.”
She eyes him suspiciously. “Come where?”
“We have a meeting, remember?”
Shit yeah, between coming out of the bathroom and seeing Ash, she’d forgotten everything except the feel of his big body inside her, his hands on her…
As she took a hesitant few steps, the silk swished against her thighs and rubbed over her nipples. Ash gave a frown of impatience. Pausing, she scowled. She was getting fed up with the attitude. So she might have misjudged, but after all, she had only said the monster thing for his benefit. Even if he wasn’t aware of that.
A little headache nagged at the back of her skull. The doctor had said to take it easy—no stress and no excessive physical activity. She glanced at the bed. Had that been excessive? No—actually not nearly enough.
“Today would be good.” Ash interrupted her thoughts.
“I never thought you were a sarcastic bastard.”
He gave a tight smile. “But as you pointed out, there are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”
She sighed and took the last steps. Taking a deep breath, she slid her hand into his. As soon as he had hold of her, he dragged her against him and picked her up in his arms. He held her against his chest, but in a standoffish sort of way, and she didn’t feel comfortable enough to lay her head against his chest.
“I can walk, you know.”
“But you can’t fly.”
He strode out of the room, straight through the double doors and onto the balcony that ran around the tower. Without giving her a moment to say, I think I’d rather take the stairs, he spread his great black wings and launched himself off the edge of the tower.
And she was flying. Again.
This time, the journey took seconds. Ash landed lightly in front of yet another set of double doors. He put her down without a word, pushed open the doors, and disappeared inside. She stared after him for a moment, then down at the dress. Ryan was going to piss himself laughing.
Oh well.