Chapter Six #3
“Nothing can get over the wall,” Sip said, catching Hunter eyeing it. “It’s been spelled and runed by the twins themselves, so not even One-Death can get in here. The building on the left is the kitchen, while the other two are our barracks.”
Three single-story sand-colored buildings obviously made of dried mud were hung with colorful fairy lights and triangular flags with images of jaguar heads above their respective names, and a cluster of small, round café tables and chairs were set on a patio of broad flagstones.
“This room hasn’t been used in a bit,” Sip said, entering one of the barracks, throwing open the first door.
Inside was a small room fitted out with a bed, dresser, chair, and similar round table as was found on the patio.
“I’ll fetch some linens and pillows for the bed, but you’re on your own for sleep attire.
Are you two, for lack of a better word, together? ”
“We are work acquaintances only,” Hunter answered quickly, not looking at me.
My libido, which had been humming along nicely still contemplating all the intriguing parts that made up Hunter, suddenly dropped in abject disappointment.
“Ah. Indeed. Well, then you can have the room directly across. It belongs to Cyndi, but she’s off on maternity leave for another two months, so her room is free.”
By the time Sip showed us the communal bathroom area with toilets, showers, and sinks, and I accepted an armful of clean sheets, two pillows, and a deliciously soft and surprisingly light down comforter, my spirits were pretty glum.
“Papi’s going to kill me,” I said softly after I’d made the bed. I’d left the door cracked just in case Hunter wanted to come in and let me seduce him, but the door to his room remained closed.
With a sigh, I opened the window, allowing the soft night air to swirl around me. I leaned my elbows on the windowsill and gazed out into the garden. “What am I going to do now?”
“Sleep, assumedly,” came a male voice close at hand. I gave a little jump, then leaned out of the window when I realized it was coming from directly beneath me.
Hunter was seated in a chair just below my window, his phone in hand.
“What are you doing there?” I asked.
“Protecting you.” He twisted his head to try to look up at me, but had to turn the chair a little so he could do so comfortably.
“Why?” The word shot out of my mouth before I could even think.
“That’s what I do,” he said, both of his eyebrows rising. “I’m a dragon hunter.”
“I know what you are, but that doesn’t explain why you’re sitting up outside my room. Sip said the garden was safe.”
“I hope it is, but I’m not about to take a chance when it comes to your safety,” he said, glancing back at his phone when it dinged at him. “Besides, it’s clear from our earlier conversation that you’re not interested in going to bed with me, so I’m standing guard, instead.”
“And here I thought saying I was open to friends with benefits would make the point clear that I’d have no problems with sex. It’s just anything more ... permanent ... that I can’t do. Not with Papi.”
“You said he wasn’t a lover. Was he so in the past, and would thus take badly to anyone with whom you had sexual relations?”
“No, he wasn’t, and ew for putting that thought in my head.
I meant that he’s dangerous, and a highly skilled manipulator.
If he thought I had someone interested in me romantically, he’d entangle them in his plans using me as bait.
So, while a little sex is fine, we can’t get involved emotionally.
Not that you said you want that, but you should know that it can’t happen. ”
Hunter’s nostrils flared, and a little wisp of smoke came from one nostril. “The fact that you think I can be scared off by this broker tells me you know nothing about dragon hunters. If you were my mate, I would not allow him to so much as look at you with anything but the most profound respect.”
“That’s a lovely speech,” I said, more than a little amused by how outraged he was.
I thought, based on our earlier discussion, that he was on board for sex without strings, but now it seemed like he was offended by the idea.
“But not necessary, since we aren’t a couple and never will be.
Regardless of the sleeping arrangements, I can’t think that you staying awake all night is going to make you hyperaware of the surroundings tomorrow when we go look for this woman you insist needs our help.
Frankly, I’d rather have you rested for that, especially if that bird vision-serpent thing is still out there. ”
Hunter stood up slowly, his eyes shaded in the darkness, but I could have sworn I felt heat radiating from him. “Are you sure? You wish for me to make love to you?”
“Dude, I’m single,” I said, holding up a hand to tick items off my fingers. “We’re adults. I haven’t had a boyfriend in a very long time, because Papi poaches whoever I’m interested in, leaving me alone again.”
Hunter’s lips twisted.
“Sorry,” I apologized. “I didn’t mean to imply you’d roll over for him. Just know that he’s a master manipulator, and try to stay off his radar. You’ll regret it if he tries to force you into doing things you’d rather not do.”
“I’ve spent nearly five hundred years consumed with self-loathing while feeling abandoned, unworthy, and up to my neck in dark power trying to control me,” he commented. “If I can triumph over all that, then I do not fear this broker.”
“Ouch,” I said, wincing at the flash of pain in his pretty eyes, immediately feeling guilty that I’d inadvertently hurt him.
“I’m sorry that I phrased that statement the way I did.
I’d say I was sorry for everything in your life having been so horrible, but I’m a recovering people-pleaser, and my therapist would shank me if I internalized the pain from your situation rather than being supportive to you.
So, if you ever want to talk about what you went through, I’m happy to be there for you. ”
He looked like he wanted to laugh, but instead said, “I appreciate that. However, I want to make absolutely certain about this, since I am aware women frequently feel pressured to do things they don’t wish to—you want to have sex. With me. Tonight. Now.”
“Does that shock you?” I couldn’t help but ask, suddenly feeling unsure.
I’d been pretty confident that he was as interested in me as I was in him after our brief conversation earlier in the day, but maybe the fact that I was go for the idea turned him off.
“I’m afraid I’ve never been the sort of woman who plays mental games with men.
At least, not the kind that involves hooking up.
I do like logic puzzles, but those aren’t really a mental game you can play with another person.
Maybe if it was a really hard one, then two people could work it together, but on the whole, it’s a solo situation. ”
“Mabel,” he said, his voice thick like he was choking.
“Hmm?” I asked.
“Are you nervous?”
“Very.” I sagged with relief when amusement filled his eyes. “Although I try to take ownership of my emotions and thoughts, so, yes, I do want you, sexually speaking.”
He smiled, and for a moment, I felt just like a bunny facing a dangerous predator, but then Hunter vaulted through the window, and all I could think of was how much I wanted him.
I dismissed the tiny voice in my head that suggested I might be putting myself in a path of danger that would turn out to be much more destructive than anything Papi could do, and argued I knew what I was doing.
I can’t remember a time when I was more wrong.