Chapter 49 Book 2 Tease 2
Ohhhhhh. Please let that sigh have only been in my head. Oh my. If my heart hadn’t stopped beating over half a millennium ago, it definitely would have looking at the figure sprawled on my porch swing. Motorcycle boots carelessly propped on the railing, his long legs were crossed and clad in black leather pants. A dark blue button up was visible under his blue and black vest with a Celtic cross dangling from his neck. How could the muscles of his chest be accented through so many clothes? It wasn’t fair! His black leather jacket was lying on the cushion beside him. As I forced my eyes off the muscles and up to his face I couldn’t help but notice the earring he was wearing was one of mine. At least I could stop looking for it now. I’m ashamed to admit he looked mouthwatering sitting there in the fading light with the sunset lighting his green eyes and bouncing off his dark perfectly tousled hair. When those eyes met mine I felt a zing shoot through my girlie bits.
Judging from the slow grin crossing his face he was detecting the change in my scent. Damn hormones. I had to get them under control. I slid a glance to the pup to see if he was noticing anything. He was standing there looking at our guest with his mouth hanging open. Conner was looking at each of us while obviously trying to swallow a giggle. With my eyes closed I took a deep breath and reminded myself why I hate this man and my body why we were no longer allowed to lust after him.
“Xavier thanks for getting here so fast. Um.” I cleared my throat. I so didn’t want to have to say this next part. “I need your help on something.”
“Pragma, I am always happy to help with your cases.” Bastard. He was using his charming husky voice. The one that sounded of Ireland combined with Greek endearments. He jumped up with a flourish and turned to open the screen door from the wraparound porch into the house and gestured us in. Conner grabbed Tristan’s arm and drug him inside. I stopped at the door and waved Xavier on. This was my home and I wasn’t about to let him play host. The sparkle in his eyes told me he knew exactly what I was feeling and he was enjoying it. Since he wouldn’t release the door, I conveniently stepped on his instep as I passed. That just made him chuckle. His eyes flashed before he asked “Why do you smell of scorched flesh and Conner’s blood, love?”
I didn’t bother to answer as I went in the house. Two steps in I heard the ding of the microwave and noticed the scent of blood in the air. I swung my head towards the bane of my existence. “Helped yourself did you?”
“Well, love, you don’t care for B+. Why would you have it if it wasn’t for me?” Shooting him a dirty look as he headed into the kitchen to get his meal, I opened the first aid kit to pull out our evidence. Xavier returned carrying two mugs. He kept the one of B+ and handed me the O-. After he took a drink he turned to Conner and asked” How bad are you injured mate?”
“Arm got a little shredded. But otherwise I’m good.” He reached his right hand out to Xavier with a smile. “Good to see you man. Have you met the pup yet?” Xavier shook his head as he shook Conner’s hand. The smile on my partner’s face grew as he turned to Tristan. “Tristan Smith, Xavier O’Donnelly.”
“Yes, of course. The stray pup tagging along on her cases right? You were the one that shot Nicolette in the arse. I am surprised she didn’t skin you. Rumor has it you ruined her favorite leather pants and rendered her unconscious during quite the brawl.” Xavier’s eyes went a little vampy as he took the pup’s extended hand in his. Judging from the grimace on Tristan’s face, Xavier was being a typical male and squeezing the pup’s hand harder than necessary during the handshake.
“Odd. She hasn’t ever mentioned you.” Tristan was trying act like his hand didn’t hurt but, I was sure it did.
“Xavier here’s an expert on weapons and all things ancient Greek. As well as the Director of Intelligence and Warfare for the peacekeepers in his spare time. “ Conner left off bane of my existence and most likely to die by fire ball.
“Wait, as in the Director of Intelligence and Warfare that wanted Frankie Hays alive? The one that Cole doesn’t speak to?” The pup’s blue eyes were bouncing between the three of us while he rubbed his hand.
“Yep. That one.” Conner was downright giddy. Xavier gave a polite nod of his head. The dignified response was ruined by the fangs. Uh oh. Xavier might be a little pissy over me getting shot. Wait, I was a still a little pissy over that!
I shook my head as I looked at the trio in my living room. Tristan was trying to look professional in his cargo pants and polo. But his shoulder length blonde hair gave him more of surfer trying to get out on bail look than law enforcement officer. Conner had the right clothes but, since they were splattered in blood and his left sleeve was missing, he looked like an extra in a zombie movie. Then there was Xavier, standing there looking like a pira-.Son of a Bit-.”Why are you dressed like Captain Hook? I mean, EXACTLY like him?”