Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Chapter
Ten
Sydney
An hour later, I know for certain that Caden is following me. I duck into a little jewelry shop. Moments later, he peeks in the window. Not for an instant do I believe that he’s shopping for a lovely pair of earrings or a belly stud.
Clearly, the slippery sod has a hidden agenda.
The way I see things is this: yesterday, I refused to let Caden accompany me to visit my information source today. So he turned up on my doorstep this morning and professed romantic interest as a means to soften me up. Honestly, how stupid does he think I am? I called his bluff over lunch by propositioning him. Sadly, his stuttering refusal only proved he’s feeding me a line of crap.
I mean, after professing his infatuation, what unattached, heterosexual, red-blooded man turns down sex? Only the kind trying to dupe me. And the way he’s sneaking after me now merely confirms my suspicions. The only thing he’s shown genuine interest in since coming to work with me is the magical war story.
Obviously, he means to steal it.
Who would he sell it to? I don’t know, and it hardly matters. He’ll get that scoop over my dead body.
I’m hopping mad. He’s full of lies, and I should steer clear.
Unfortunately, my libido has other ideas.
More’s the pity. I’ve never been so drawn to a man in my life.
His lies about his feelings don’t hurt. All right, perhaps a bit. But I hate that he’s so intent on using me.
I can’t think with my emotions. If I’m going to keep my story and my distance, I have to get smart.
After all, I intend to meet my source shortly—alone, thank you. Hopefully, the battered witch will tell me more of her woeful but engrossing tale. I don’t know whether to believe her fantastical story, but she clearly does. Not only does it tear at my heart, but it’s been proven to sell papers. As far as my boss is concerned, nothing else matters.
I shove thoughts of my gorgeous, deceitful photographer aside. I’ll deal with him later.
Exiting to the street again, I walk half a block, then peek back as I round a corner.
I’ll give Caden credit; I can’t see him behind me, but I sense him. As I take another bend in the road, I catch a glimpse of him, pretending interest in a street vendor who shivers in the November chill. But I know Caden is watching me.
Nonchalantly, I proceed south, hunkering down into my coat until I find the perfect place. I dodge traffic and cross the intersection before entering an always-crowded pub. On a stool near the back, far from the barkeep, I sit.
A dozen seconds later, Caden blows in, along with a stiff breeze. I grab a discarded menu and pretend not to notice him at all as he wanders along the front of the pub, looking out the windows and presumably not noticing me at all. Finally, he sits at an empty table in the corner, grabs a menu—and peers at me over the top. I make a great show of checking my watch and my mobile, fidgeting and squirming.
Finally, a waitress pops by to take his order. Now is my chance.
I rise and head conspicuously for the toilet. I truly wish I could see the look on Caden’s face when he realizes I’m gone.
As the door to the loo shuts behind me, the thought makes me smile.
Caden
Sydney has vanished. Out the window of the loo, I guess. Brilliant.
I’ve underestimated both her cleverness and determination. Again.
Frustrated, I rake a hand through my hair. How the devil can I find her source and keep her safe if she doesn’t trust me? I can’t bloody well tell her the whole truth, but Sydney doesn’t realize the danger she’s in.
My phone rings. A glance at the display has me cursing not so softly.
“What?” I snap.
“Your delightful mood means things aren’t going well, I take it?” Bram drawls.
“The woman is too smart by half and knows everything I say is shit.”
“You’re not being charming enough.”
I grit my teeth. “Deception isn’t my style.”
“Do you need me to demonstrate charm?”
The thought of him anywhere near Sydney makes me feel homicidal. “The same charm you showed your now-missing mate?”
“Leave my mate out of this,” Bram snarls.
If you return the favor.
As soon as the words blaze through my mind, I curse. I have to stop thinking about Sydney like that. I don’t want a magical mate. I don’t want anything to do with magic at all. The cost is too high.
“Likewise. Leave Sydney alone.”
“Wait. Are you having the urge to Call to this reporter?”
I want to say no…but every time I’m near her, my temperature spikes. She’s a fever in my blood that’s only getting worse, and if I kiss her, I fear I’ll blurt the words that could bind us together for nearly a thousand years.