28. Elrik

28

ELRIK

A s my cock warmed, I held her, stroking her back and whispering ancient words of love into her ear.

Finally, she shivered from the chilly night air, and I would not allow my mate to be cold even if I was an ice lord.

I slid her off my body and quickly fastened my pants. After lifting her underwear off the sand and stuffing it into my pocket, I grabbed my shirt and swept her up into my arms. I carried her back along the beach, passing the almost-melted ice sculpture, and up to the road. At the bench, I pushed my feet into my sandals, placing hers on her lap.

She smiled up at me, her face still suffused with the joy I'd given her. When she tucked her face against my chest, I only sighed and pulled her closer.

I strode down the sidewalk with pride blazing across my heart. This woman was mine and I was hers, and I wanted everyone in the world to know it. But I remembered how important it was not to attract attention, so I lowered her to her feet.

"I'll move my truck and come back to you." I stroked her hair away from her face. "Do you want to wait upstairs?"

"I'll wait right here."

With a grin splitting my face, I climbed into my truck and drove away, returning shortly after that on foot. After sweeping her off her feet again, I carried her up to her apartment and inside, kicking the door shut with my heel.

I placed her gently on her bed and stripped off her dress, then my own clothing.

Then I climbed over her and kissed her. Before the night was through, I planned to show her with my tongue and my cock that she was the only one I'd need for the rest of my life.

I woke the next morning to the buzz of my phone. Leaning over the edge of the bed, I snagged my shorts and pulled the device from the back pocket, scrolling into it when I saw it was a call from Katar.

"Hello?" I slid off the bed and padded from the room to keep from disturbing Melly who still slumbered. I'd kept her up most of the night, though I doubted she'd voice one complaint. I knew her well. She'd smile, curl her finger, and welcome me back to her bed.

"Hey, Elrik," Katar said. "I thought you might be in the office by now. "

What time was it? A squint at the phone showed it was after nine. Wow. Okay. "I will be soon." This was the first time since taking this job that I would be late. Katar wasn't one to watch the clock since we'd often work all sorts of hours to complete a job, but he'd be within his right to chide me about lounging in bed until nine on a weekday.

"Someone's here to see you."

"Who?" Anyone related to this case? We'd made some progress, but I didn't feel much closer to exposing the person who'd framed Grannie Rose now than when I first started investigating.

"A woman," Katar said. "She didn't want to give her name."

"Tell her I'll be there shortly." I'd do my teeth here and wear my clothing from last night. I could go to my place and shower later.

"Awesome."

I ended the call and got ready in Melly's bathroom. Then I walked into the bedroom and stood beside the bed, grinning while I watched her sleep. There wasn't anyone lovelier than my Melly.

Since I didn't want to leave her with just a note, I climbed onto the bed and cupped her pretty face, kissing her deeply.

She moaned, and her arms went around my shoulders, stroking already. I'd give almost anything to be able to strip off my clothing and join her again beneath the covers, but I didn't want to keep the woman waiting. She could have important information related to the case, perhaps even details that would allow me to crack it. I looked forward to clearing Rose's name and then getting down on my knees and begging Melly to be my bride.

Would she say yes? I had to believe she would.

Rather than stroke her side and move my hand to her perky nipple, I lifted my head.

She gave me a sleepy smile. "Why are you dressed?" She plucked at my shirt. "Take this off. Get under the covers."

"I'd kill to do it, sweet, but someone's waiting for me at the office."

Her smile faded, and she frowned. "What time is it?"

"After nine."

"Ugh." She slid out from beneath me and out of the bed, bending forward to lift her robe off the floor, giving me the perfect view of her delectable ass and the gap between them.

I groaned.

She paused and peered at me over her shoulder. Smiling once more, she wiggled her ass. "Like the view?"

"You're killing me here."

Straightening, she tugged on her robe. "Take care of whatever you need to at the office and come visit me during your lunch break. We can sneak off somewhere for a quickie."

"I'm going to take you up on that offer." I sauntered around the bed, lifted her, and pressed her against the wall.

Her legs went around my chest, and she tugged me closer with the pressure of her heels. "Are you sure they can't wait?"

"It might be related to your case. I can't risk it. I won't be long, though. What time do you have to be at Creature Cones?"

"Ten." With a sigh, she released me. "I miss you already."

I kissed her deeply, putting my heart and soul into my touch. When I lifted my head, she gave me a smile that melted everything still frozen inside me.

I stroked her face. "Soon."

"Soon," she said with a nod.

I drove out to the coffee place and waited in line before placing my order, then waited some more to pick my order up. Twenty minutes or so later, I parked my truck in the lot across from Monsters, PI. With a coffee and a bag holding a muffin in my hand, I jogged to the front door, opened it, and strode inside.

"There you are," Katar's wife, Bailey, said with a smile. "She's waiting in your office."

Oh, good. "This took longer than I thought it would." I held up my purchases.

"I'm sure she won't mind. We told her you weren't here but she said she was happy to wait."

"Great. Thank you." I walked past her and down the hall, waving to Katar sitting at his desk as I passed.

"Hey Elrik," Tuvid called out, and I stopped to poke my head into his open doorway.

"You're back," I said. "I hope you and Angie had an amazing honeymoon."

"The best." Tuvid grinned so wide, his face must hurt. "I wish we were still in Europe, but I guess we had to come back sometime."

"I imagine. "

His smile fell. "Did Katar tell you someone's waiting in your office to speak with you?"

"Yup. I was just heading that way."

"Then I'll talk with you later."

With a wave, I continued to the last door on the right. The office opposite mine would soon be occupied with our newest hire, a dragon shifter detective. Another guy with wings like Tuvid who'd joked about being able to reach a job quicker than those of us who had to travel on foot or in a vehicle. Still, it would be cool to work with him. I bet he had some amazing stories to tell about his past job as a detective.

My office door was shut, but I opened it and strode inside.

My welcoming smile dropped fast.

"Brittney?" I snarled at my ex. "What are you doing here?"