J.R. Ward the Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels 1-4 - J. R. Ward [220]
“You can put your feet on the coffee table, if you want,” she said.
“I’m cool.” He reached over and turned off the lamp to his left, hoping she’d fall asleep. At least then he could move around and keep an eye on the exterior without getting her riled up.
Fifteen minutes into the movie, she said, “I’m sorry, but I’m fading over here.”
He glanced at her. Her hair was fanned over her shoulders and she’d curled up into herself. Her skin was luminous and a little flushed in the flicker of the TV, her eyelids droopy.
This was how she would look when she woke up in the morning, he thought.
“Let yourself go, Mary. I’m going to stay a little longer, though, okay?”
She tugged a soft cream throw blanket over herself. “Yes, of course. But, um, Hal—”
“Wait. Would you please call me by my…other name?”
“Okay, what is it?”
“Rhage.”
She frowned. “Rhage?”
“Yeah.”
“Ah, sure. Is that like a nickname or something?”
He closed his eyes. “Yeah.”
“Well, Rhage…Thank you for tonight. For being so flexible, I mean.”
He cursed quietly, thinking she should slap him instead of feel grateful. He’d nearly gotten her killed. She was now a target for the lessers. And if she knew half the things he wanted to do to her body, she’d probably lock herself in the bathroom.
“It’s okay, you know,” she murmured.
“What is?”
“I know you just want to be friends.”
Friends?
She laughed tightly. “I mean, I don’t want you to think I misinterpreted that kiss when you picked me up. I know it wasn’t…you know. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about me getting the wrong idea.”
“Why do you think I’m concerned you might?”
“You’re sitting on the other end of this couch stiff as a board. Like you’re afraid I’m going to jump you.”
He heard a noise outside and his eyes shot to the window on the right. But it was just a leaf blowing up against the glass.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel awkward,” she blurted. “I just wanted to…you know, reassure you.”
“Mary, I don’t know what to say.” Because the truth would terrify her. And he’d lied to her enough already.
“Don’t say anything. I probably shouldn’t have brought it up. All I meant was, I’m glad you’re here. As a friend. I really liked that ride in your car. And I like just hanging out. I don’t need more from you, honestly. You’re really good friend material.”
Rhage sucked in a breath. In all his adult life, no female had ever called him a friend. Or valued his company for something other than sex.
In the Old Language, he whispered, “I am barren of words, my female. For no sounds from my mouth are worthy of your hearing.”
“What language is that?”
“The one I was born speaking.”
She tilted her head, considering him. “It’s almost French, but not quite. There’s something Slavic in there. Is it Hungarian or something?”
He nodded. “Basically.”
“What did you say?”
“I like being here with you, too.”
She smiled and put her head down.
As soon as he knew she was out, he unzipped the duffel and double-checked that the guns inside of it were loaded. Then he walked through her house, turning off every light. When it was pitch-dark, his eyes adjusted and his senses heightened even further.
He scanned the woods behind her house. And the meadow to the right. And the big farmhouse in the distance. And the street out front.
He listened, tracking the footfalls of animals across the grass and noting the wind as it brushed against the barn’s wooden clapboards. As the temperature dropped outside, he sifted through the creaks of the house, testing, probing for a break-in. He prowled around, going from room to room, until he thought he was going to explode.
He checked his cell phone. It was on, with the ringer activated. And the thing was receiving a signal.
He cursed. Walked around some more.
The movie ended. He started it over