“Do you have somewhere else to go?” Sean interrupted her thoughts.
She shook her head. “No. Home is fine. I have work to do on this case.”
“You shouldn’t defend him.”
Colleen looked up at him. No one told her what to do. Least of all someone she barely knew. “You’re here to defend me. To protect me. Not to give me career advice.” He strode towards her. She put up her hand. “I’ve listened to you to keep myself safe.”
“If you want to stay safe then you need to stay away from O’Shannon.”
She put the last of the file folders into her briefcase. “That would be difficult. He specifically asked for me.”
She looked up into those husky blue eyes.
“Have you wondered why he asked for you? Why you of all people?”
Now he was just pissing her off. “I happen to be very good at my job.”
“Has it brought you happiness?”
That gave her pause. She flung her purse strap over her shoulder then hefted her briefcase off the table. “What is it to you?”
His expression softened. “Can you see me doing something else other than being a bodyguard?”
“I hadn’t thought about it.”
“My size precludes me from many jobs, but I love what I do. I was born to do what I do.”
She looked him over. “You could have played football, and I mean American football.”
He nodded. “That is assuming I have any athletic talent. My point is that I am living what I’m supposed to be living.”
“Which means you don’t think I am.”
He pressed his lips together, but spoke. “You don’t seem happy, Colleen. Even if you were, that client is not good. I don’t know if I can protect you from him.”
She cocked her head. “You don’t think I’m happy?”
He blinked. “That concerns you more than me protecting you?”
She laughed. “I guess it does. This protection is temporary. My life and happiness in it is a more long term.”
“I guess we aren’t going to solve any of your problems here.” He lowered his gaze, looking at the top of her head. She could see him reflected in the glass wall behind them.
She didn’t argue. She just followed him out to the elevator. “The driver is here?”
“I sent a text as soon as O’Shannon left,” Sean said.
She studied his profile as they rode down to the parking garage. Once again, she was reminded of stone. Some artist had chiseled this man’s jaw. Something about him drew her in a way she’d never experienced. Is this what women said when they met the one? The man they were supposed to marry? She searched her brain for what Meg had said about Donal.
“What?” he stopped for a second. “You’re staring at me.”
Had she been anyone else, she might have blushed, but she had never been shy about her interested in a man. “I just think you’re attractive.”
He blinked. “Okay.” He turned back to the front of the elevator.
She laughed. “That’s it?”
“What am I supposed to say? I’m doing a job, Colleen. I don’t get involved with clients.”
She stepped closer to him, some part of her wanting to poke through his professional veneer. The elevators doors opened before she could do anything else. He put a hand on her arm as he stepped out of the car. His gaze went in every direction. Then he motioned her behind him as they walked to another black vehicle. Sean opened the car door and she scooted in. Sean climbed in behind her. Once again Donal was at the wheel.
“You jumped right back into things after your honeymoon,” Colleen said. “I haven’t even had a chance to talk to Meg since you’ve been back.”
“She’s been pretty busy with our new house. We bought it then went away.”
“How’s her job going?”
“She’s loving it,” Donal said.
He drove them out of the garage. Sean looked out the window so she studied him some more. He’d shown no emotion to her compliment. What made Sean Foley tick?
Forget the case. That might be what she puzzled out today.
***
Sean wasn’t one to take a compliment. There had been no such things in his youth. He was a gargoyle. He could take human form to outwit an enemy, but usually he was a grotesque flying creature. What would Colleen think when he showed her his true self? Would she think him so handsome?
That was a good reason to show her as soon as possible.
He just didn’t want her to be afraid of him. When he protected fairies he was in his current form. When gargoyles slept, their wings kept them from falling off of roofs and high places.
Tonight when Colleen slept, he’d have to spread his wings on the roof. Maybe he could fly. He sent a mental message to Donal that he would need to see him tonight. His brother made eye contact in the mirror of the car and they set a time.
“I have my security card if you want to drop me in the garage,” Colleen said.
She handed it to Donal as they approached her building. Sean lifted his nose, but there was no smell of goblin in the air. O’Shannon had not followed them. What was his game? Why hadn’t he killed Colleen when he had the chance? Was he behind the threat to Colleen? None of it made sense, but goblins were known for their cunning. Scheming little creatures, as far as he remembered.
Goblins and fairies had been enemies for longer than Sean’s memory. His father couldn’t even tell them when it had all started. It was just part of life like the rising and setting of the sun.
The car stopped. Sean put a hand on Colleen, knowing she would just jump out. “Let me get out first.”
She nodded. He walked around the vehicle, taking in the garage. No one lurked about. He’d feel better when Colleen was in her apartment. He could breathe a little easier. She hopped out when he opened the door. With her briefcase in hand, he waved to Donal before closing the door. Colleen had her elevator key ready and they made the trip up to her apartment in no time.
She disappeared, he assumed to change. She emerged minutes later wearing more casual clothing. He stood, looking out over the river, his soul longing to let his wings out and swoop over the city.
“You look sad,” she said.
Turning to her, he shrugged. She was closer than he’d expected. In his personal space, so he stepped around her. “I assume you have work to do.”
“I do, but I want to talk to you first.”
“About what?”
He didn’t want to talk. He didn’t want to know more about Colleen. He was having enough trouble keeping his hands to himself. He admired her bravery. Her ability to focus on the job despite the danger she might be in. He didn’t want to like her that much. It wasn’t a prerequisite for doing a good job.
“What you said about me not being happy.”
He put up his hands. “I overstepped, but I still think you need to be careful around O’Shannon.”
“You think he’s the one who threatened me?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like him.”
She chuckled. “There isn’t much to like about an Irish mobster.”
There wasn’t much to like about a goblin either. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
She stepped closer and he wished she’d stop doing that. She scrambled his brains when he could smell her this closely. Her scent spoke of meadows and lazy days which he’d already had too much of when he was in stone.
“Have you ever felt as if you were different?” he said.
She crossed her arms, but didn’t step away from him. Her scent was like a drug and he wanted to breathe in deeply. That might be weird.
“Different?”
“Like if you wished for something for someone else that it came true?”
She frowned. “No. I don’t think I’m altruistic enough to wish for something for someone else.”
He nodded. Then she’d never felt the power of her heritage. This was going to be harder than he thought.
He needed Donal’s advice.
“That was an odd question, Sean.”
She stepped closer to him and he was powerless to move away. It was as if she had used magic to enchant him. He’d have to ask Donal if that was possible. She stood on her tiptoes, her lips inches from his. “I’ve made a wish for you.”
He took in her gorgeous green eyes, now a little darker. “Oh?”
Then as if a hand had pushed his head closer to hers, he kissed her. His hands, of their own accord, dug into her hair, keeping her close to deepen the kiss. When he came up for air, he didn’t feel as if he’d made a mistake.
“Did you wish for that?”
“I wished that you wanted to kiss me.” She stepped away, his hands letting her go and he felt the loss to his soul. “And you did. Maybe there is something to this wishing thing.”
She turned away and walked to the kitchen. Had the kiss not affected her? His heart raced and his body was on fire. Damn. This wasn’t good. He didn’t lose control normally.
She looked at him from the doorway to the kitchen, an innocent smile curving her lips.
“Lunch?”
Chapter Eight
The kiss still on his mind, Sean checked to make sure that Colleen was still asleep before he flew to the roof of the building to meet his brother. Donal crouched on the edge of the building. Sean landed next to him, but didn’t tuck away his wings. They were itchy from having been put away for so long.
“You’ll get used to them being away,” Donal said.
“I guess. I’m just happy to have them out right now.”
“You look troubled.”
“I am. So much has happened today and I’ve never felt more out of my depth than I do in this new world.”
“Aye. It is difficult to adapt, but you will.”
“It isn’t just that. I met the goblin. He’s Colleen’s client. I also think he’s the one who has threatened her.”
Donal looked out over the city. “To what end?”
“Well to flush me out.”
“I guess it’s a good thing he did. You don’t want Colleen going into this alone. She can’t,” Donal said.
Sean nodded. “I know.”
“Have you told her?”
“No. I started then she kissed me.”
Donal laughed. “I guess we Foleys are cursed.”
“Why is that funny?”
Sean didn’t see it as funny. Meg and Donal had worked out, but they were all cursed into stone because their father wasn’t able to keep it in his pants. He wasn’t going to make that mistake. Who knows what would happen in this world.
“Because our father wasn’t in love with that fairy, but I’m in love with Meg.”
“Yeah, it worked out for you. I don’t want to be in stone for another millennia.”
Donal put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s a different world. I’m not sure there even is a Fairy Queen in this land. Or this time period.”
“I don’t want to find out.”
“Colleen needs to know, Sean. You need to be bonded for you to defeat this goblin.”
“I tried today. That’s when she kissed me.”
“We are just irresistible,” Donal said.
“I wish I weren’t so. Remember when the fairies thought we were so hideous they made us stay in this form? We were insulted.”
“Aye, Sean. Now this form is the usual sight and our clawed and winged selves have to be hidden. Now for another reason. It isn’t simple, but that goblin isn’t going to sit by for long. He’s going to taunt you.”
“I guess he is. I don’t see the pleasure in it,” Sean said.
“Me, neither, but it is the way of goblins. They are bolder now because they can hide. At least from humans.”
“But fairies are their enemies, not humans,” Sean said.
“That doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy being mean to humans, too. They are despicable, Sean. Never forget that.”
“Well, I will be looking for a peaceful solution.”
Donal shook his head. “There isn’t one, Sean. I know you tend to be the peacemaker, but there is no peace to be made with a goblin.”
Sean didn’t want to argue with his brother, but there was always a non-violent solution. Sean just had to find it.
***
Sean slept fitfully in the second bedroom and was up having coffee hours before he expected Colleen to emerge from her bedroom. He sat out on the deck overlooking the river that Colleen had called Delaware. The city was almost quiet as the sun was about to come up.
This was the day. He had to gargoyle up and let Colleen know that she was a fairy. Tooi bad he’d kissed a fairy and liked it. The kiss still weighed on his mind as he remembered how she’d tasted. She hadn’t repeated it. She’d closeted herself in her bedroom working, he supposed.
He could act as if nothing happened, but he did have to see her to talk to her.
The door to the living room opened then closed behind him. He knew it was Colleen. She sat in the chair next to him, a mug in her hand. “Thanks for making the coffee.”
“No problem.”
She sipped and looked at the view. She was a beautiful woman. And a good kisser, not that he had that much experience. Oh he’d had a few gargoyle girlfriends, but none had been serious. No. Colleen was his first fairy.
And she should be only under his protection. Nothing else.
“Do you need to go into the office today?” he said.
He would have to plan for that if she wanted to.
She shook her head. “No. I have all the papers I need here to mount O’Shannon’s defense. Unless the Prosecutor wants to view the crime scene, I should be able to work from home for a few days.”
“Good. That makes my job easier.”
He looked out over the river as she looked at him. “You don’t want to talk about the kiss?”
“There’s something else I have to talk to you about.”
“That sounds serious.”
I swallowed hard. “It is serious, Colleen. I need you to listen with an open mind.”
“Are you going to talk me out of defending O’Shannon? I don’t want to hear it if you are.”
Sean shook his head, his gaze going to her. “No, Colleen.” I licked my lips. “Remember when I asked if you had ever wished for someone else get to something and they did?”
“Yes and I’ve been thinking about it and I may have some instances that it happened.”
Okay. That made this a little easier. “So you do recall that happening?”
“Yes, but like I said, I’m kind of selfish.”
Sean smiled at her. “Were they things that person would have gotten anyway or was it most likely they weren’t?”
She looked away from him then back. “They weren’t likely to get them. That’s why I remember them. These are situations I hadn’t thought about in years.”
“You haven’t done it recently?”
“No, Sean. I’ve been focused on me. It’s just who I am. Meg and her charities is something I’m not interested in.”
He nodded. That was Meg’s way of being a fairy. “Okay. I have something to tell you.”
Colleen smiled. “I think you’re hitting on me, Sean. And it is sweet. I can’t say I mind at all.”
“I’m not hitting on you.”
“You can’t for your job, I get it Sean. But when this is all over, I’d like to see you. We could just have some fun until then.”
He stared at her trying to figure out what she meant.
“Come on, Sean. If we have to be together, we might as well be together.” She waggled her eyebrows.
Was she? “I can’t Colleen. For many reasons.”
She pouted, but he didn’t think it was real. She was playing with fire and she had no idea. Then she laughed. “Oh, Sean. I’m flirting. Relax.” She hopped out of the chair. “I’m going to make breakfast. You need some?”
“Yes.”
She left him on the deck. His body was on f
ire with the idea of being with Colleen. He couldn’t lay with a human even if she was only half. He’d be just as bad as his father. He had to sit for a minute more to calm himself down, nor did he want her to know how he felt about her idea.
He had to admit, for one moment, he truly considered snatching her out of the chair and heading to her bed.
Chapter Nine
Colleen took a swig of cold water to cool herself off. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said she wanted to go to bed with Sean. He was that strong silent type that she usually preferred. She could not fall for this guy. Being unsure about her future, she didn’t want to get bogged down in a relationship.
She’d offered no-strings sex and he’d turned her down.
Then why did he look at her as if he wanted to crawl inside of her?
The patio door opened and she busied herself with getting breakfast together. Sean stepped into the room and dominated the space. He strode to where she was gathering items for the meal with no clear plan in mind.
“You need help?”
She flashed him a weak smile. “I can figure out breakfast.”
He crossed his arms. “It looks like you can’t.”
She bristled. “Just because I’m not making a gourmet meal doesn’t mean I don’t know how to cook.”
He put up his hands. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Colleen.”
She nodded. She’d taken what he said the wrong way. “I know, sorry.”
He stood there as she put bread in the toaster and started bacon in a pan.
“Maybe we should talk about that kiss, Colleen.”
She wanted to forget the incident because it was the most embarrassing thing she’d ever done and it had been the best kiss she’d ever received. And she’d never get it again. If she threw herself at him when he had a job to do, he wouldn’t take her seriously when he was done.
“You were right. It was a mistake. I guess I’m just feeling off-balanced.”
She leaned against the counter next to the stove, keeping an eye on the bacon. He slid onto the stool on the other side of the island. “You want to talk about that?”
Maybe the perspective of someone not in the situation would help. She didn’t know what Sean’s life experiences were, but she’d bet he’d never questioned himself. Would he understand? Why did she have to lose that last case? She flipped the bacon, then turned back to face him.
When Garogyles Love Trilogy Page 13