The Blood of Promise by T. S. Joyce

Author:T. S. Joyce [Joyce, T. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wicked Willow Press
Published: 2022-06-05T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Marsden’s headlights flashed over her rearview mirror as he turned into the motel parking lot behind her. He’d wanted to make sure she got back safe, and something about that consideration made her heart open up slightly wider.

The motel vacancy sign was buzzing, and the lights had gone out in the letters ‘n’ and ‘y’. Everything seemed so bright and crisp right now. Every detail of the parking lot was in sharp focus—from the spider web cracks in the asphalt, to the woman bent over her work at the front desk, illuminated by the warm glow that stretched across the parking lot and reached for the tires of her Jeep. The sound of Marsden’s engine turning off matched the sound of her own engine dying to silence.

She grabbed her purse and slipped out of the driver’s side door, then shut it behind her. The sound of her shoes on the sidewalk echoed through her mind as she pulled herself closer to Marsden. It was silly to miss a man on a short car ride when she could see him in her rearview, but she had.

His greeting grin ignited a flame inside of her. His window was rolled down and he leaned on one strong arm as he told her, “I’ll wait until you’re inside.”

Carly leaned on his car and fidgeted with her purse. “Tonight was…unexpected.”

His grin faded to nothing, and then returned slowly, just at the corners. “In a good way or a bad way?”

“Good way. You have been a good surprise.”

“You’re going to sleep tonight,” he murmured with confidence. “So am I.”

She inhaled deeply. She sure hoped she could sleep. The exhaustion was tugging at her entire body. “I have to go to the police station and make my report in the morning.”

Marsden nodded and his attention drifted to the door of her motel room. His eyes stayed focused on the number there—1010. “You’re going to leave town, aren’t you?”

Carly chewed the side of her lip and nodded. “I have to.”

A three-count of silence passed and then Marsden asked, “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“So I can get more attached to you?” she teased softly. “You’re safe. I won’t tell the police department about you or your Pack.”

Marsden’s bright-green eyes softened. “There’re no ulterior motives, Carly. I just want to see you again.”

His eyes bore into hers and she knew down to her bone marrow that he was telling the truth. He wasn’t just trying to make sure the police didn’t find out about that night. He wanted to spend time with her.

“I have to work tomorrow,” he murmured. “I’m up at the Dunlathe Warehouse all day tomorrow. I take lunch at eleven if you want to grab a bite. No pressure, but for me…if I see you in that warehouse, I’ll be glad.”

“Okay,” she murmured. “I’ll think about it.”

She gripped the sleeve of his T-shirt gently and wished she was brave enough to kiss him goodbye and walk away like one of those badasses in a movie. Kissing was dangerous for her though.

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