Evil Speaks Softly by Maureen Bonatch

Author:Maureen Bonatch [Bonatch, Maureen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charmed Type
Published: 2024-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Iturned to Gage. “Did you want to come in?”

I hesitated with my hand resting on the doorknob. This violated my rule of never inviting a date into the private sanctuary of the house. “Because we didn’t get to talk much about, you know, the stuff.”

I smiled and cocked my head. Saying it felt like an inside joke. Until now, I hadn’t realized we talked about everything else at dinner but Watchers, Recorders, and Nightwalkers.

Heat spread through me despite the cold air whipping around me. I’d spent an evening with a man who didn’t appear to be interested in me only for my books. For the first time in years, I’d gone out with a gorgeous man who hadn’t grown up in this town and known me, or about me, my entire life. Or at least his knowledge was mostly about me being a Recorder.

It was nice. I felt like a schoolgirl on her first date. I didn’t want the night to end.

“Of course, the stuff.” Gage shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels, appearing relieved.

His gaze drifted from my eyes to my lips, giving me the impression he sought an opportunity to lean in for a kiss. I relished the thought but identified the dilemma presented with our awkward height difference. I wore four-inch heels and stood on a step above him. He’d have to stand on tiptoes to reach me.

Gage appeared unfazed by the challenge and mounted the step. I moved to give him space to stand before me, but he closed the distance. He placed his hands on my shoulders. Through my jacket, his feather-light touch felt tentative, questioning. I parted my lips in anticipation while I raised my eyes to meet his.

He leaned in slowly.

Mozart’s frantic barking and scratching on the door destroyed the budding mood. I restrained my scowl. Mozart played the I have a bladder the size of a walnut card at the most inconvenient times.

Gage’s eyes widened. “I almost forgot.” He held up a finger as he backed down the porch steps.

I smiled when he turned and hopped the last two in one bound like a mischievous boy. He spun to me when he reached the car door and winked. “Bet you thought I forgot.”

“Forgot what?” I fished in my purse for the house key. My awareness of the frigid temperatures increased when Gage departed. Mozart barreled out when he spied Gage. The dog closed in as fast as his short legs could, intent on determining if Gage was a friend or foe. “Mozart, no.”

Gage chuckled and bent to pet the furry beast as he jumped on his leg, marring his kakis with snow-encrusted paw prints. “He’s fine.”

“He’s getting your pants dirty.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”

“They’ll wash.” He closed the car door and started toward the porch, beckoning for Mozart to follow. The dog ran circles around his legs, keeping pace with him.

He held a little bag with a pink ribbon on the top. When he saw me looking, he tilted the bag to and fro teasingly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.