I let out a surprised laugh at this mischievous directive, which was unexpected considering the very unfunny circumstances we were meeting under.
“I’ll try to remember that.”
Bones didn’t speak during the hour drive back to the hotel. There were so many things I wanted to ask him, but of course, I couldn’t bring myself to.
When we pulled in the parking lot, however, I couldn’t stand the silence anymore.
“So what’s next? We find out if Charlie has a bounty on him? Or see if anyone knows who the masked asshole might be? I wonder why the guy bothered to wear a mask. Kinks, do you think, or maybe he was someone she knew and he didn’t want her to recognize him?”
Bones parked and gave me an unfathomable look. “Either one is a possibility, but regardless, I think it’s best if you bow out now.”
“Oh, don’t give me that unsafe crap again!” I said, instantly angry. “You think I can see what was done to Emily, know it’s going on with countless other girls, and just hide under my bed? Remember, I was supposed to be one of those girls! I’m not bowing out, no way!”
“Look, it’s not your bravery that’s in question,” he replied with an edge.
“Then what?”
“I saw your face. The look in your eyes when I spoke to Charlie. You wondered if I was going to join Hennessey. Deep down, you still don’t trust me.”
He hit the steering wheel with his last comment. It dented, and I winced from more than the accusation in his words.
“You were doing a great job acting, and I got confused. God, can you really blame me? Every day for the past six years I’ve had it drummed into my head that all vampires are lying, vicious scum, and to date, by the way, you’re the only one I’ve met who isn’t!”
Bones let out an amazed snort. “Do you realize that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me?”
“Was Tara your girlfriend?”
It just flew out. I sucked in a horrified breath. Good Lord, why did I ask that?
“Never mind,” I said quickly. “It doesn’t matter. Look, about last night…I think we both made a mistake. Hell, you’ve probably realized that as well, so I’m sure you’ll also agree that it should never happen again. I didn’t mean to flake out earlier with Charlie, but old habits die hard. Okay, bad metaphor there, but you get my point. We’ll work together, bring down Hennessey and whoever else is in his little gang, and then we’ll, ah, go our separate ways. No harm, no foul.”
He stared at me silently for several moments. “’Fraid I can’t agree to that,” he finally answered.
“But why? I’m great as bait! All the vampires want to eat me!”
A small smile touched his mouth even as I mentally groaned at my choice of words. Bones reached over and stroked my face.
“I can’t just let us go our separate ways, Kitten, because I am in love with you. I love you.”
My mouth fell open and my mind briefly cleared of thought. Then I found my voice.
“No, you don’t.”
He let out a snort and dropped his hand. “You know, pet, that is one truly annoying habit you have, telling me what I do and do not feel. After living for over two hundred and forty-one years, I think I know my own mind.”
“Are you just saying that to have sex with me?” I asked suspiciously, remembering Danny and all of his cutesy lies.
He gave me an annoyed look. “Knew you’d think such a thing. That’s why I didn’t say anything before, because I never wanted you to wonder if I were merely lying to cajole you into bed. However, to be rudely blunt, I’ve already gotten you on your back, and it wasn’t by declaring my devotion to you. I simply don’t care to hide my feelings any longer.”
“But you’ve only known me two months!” Now I tried arguing the point, because denial didn’t seem to work.
A slight smile curled his lips. “I began to fall in love with you when you challenged me to that stupid fight in the cave. There you were, chained up and bleeding, questioning my courage and almost daring me to kill you. Why do you think I struck that bargain with you? Truth is, luv, I did it so you’d be forced to spend time with me. I knew you’d never agree any other way. After all, you had such hang-ups about vampires. Still do, it appears.”
“Bones…” My eyes were wide at his revelation and with the growing knowledge that he was serious. “We’d never work out together. We have to stop this now, before it goes any further!”
“I know what makes you say that. Fear. You’re terrified because of how that other wanker treated you, and you’re even more afraid of what your dear mum would say.”
“Oh, she’d have plenty to say, you can bet on that,” I muttered.
“I’ve faced death more times than I can count, Kitten, and this instance with Hennessey is no different—do you really think the wrath of your mum is going to scare me away?”
“It would if you were smart.” Also muttered.