Protecting His Windflower (A Spirit Hunters Series Novel Book 1) by Temperance Dawn (best ereader for epub TXT) 📗

“Okay, do you mind if I run upstairs real quick?” He took a step back, stealing the delicious sensation coursing through her body. She instantly missed the warmth radiating off of him.

“No, of course not. I’ll leave the door unlocked for you,” she told him.

“Okay. I’ll be back.”

She nodded at him, and he turned to head upstairs. She stepped into her flat, kicked off her shoes, hung her sweater and purse on the hook near the door, and grabbed her phone. Emily hurried to the kitchen to start dinner. But first things first, she swiped open the text app and began typing. Lexi was going to die when she heard how her date went.

***

The shadow lurked at the end of the hallway, seething as Liam touched his treasured gem. It watched as his darling gazed into another’s eye, becoming lost in a lust he wished was for him. She was supposed to be his. He should have been the axis on which her world revolved upon. Not the other man’s. What was it about his rival that had his beloved seduced? His plans had been perfect. Everything had been set. He could have given her everything she desired, yet she still gravitated towards the one man he despised.

Memories of his demise floated forth, tormenting him, of how he left the physical world before fully being able to enjoy the riches he had collected. Reminding him of the deeds he’d done.

Eight

Of course he wanted to stay. The thought of leaving her tonight was killing him. She caught him off guard. He assumed maybe she’d need some space and time to think about the vision they had both shared. Liam couldn’t decide if he would bring up what he had discussed with his friends the previous day. He knew he should, especially after their linked visions. Knew she deserved to know why he felt so connected to her. But, the thought of laying all of that information on her weighed on him.

Liam pulled his phone from his back pocket and typed.

Liam: She asked me over for dinner.

Trey: No shit! You said yes, right?

Liam: Yeah. I said yes.

Luke: You’re one lucky SOB.

Trey: I’ve been thinking about our past cases. Remember the Walters case from 2006?

Luke: Oh shit! I forgot about that!

Liam: Yeah. I remember. I know where you’re going and to tell you the truth, I don’t even want to think about it right now.

Liam rubbed his hands across his face. The Walters case had been one of the toughest cases they had investigated to date. The couple had been tormented by an entity for decades. It wasn’t until Liam and his team stepped in when they uncovered the truth about a gruesome murder that was linked to the Walters from decades earlier.

Luke: Alright. Let us know how dinner goes.

Liam: I will

Liam headed back downstairs. Emily had done what she said and left her front door unlocked for him. At first, the idea of her leaving her door unlocked made him nervous, but with the front door to the building always being locked and him being the only other resident in the house, he figured there wasn’t too much to worry about.

Knocking as he opened the door, he peeked his head in and entered. Emily was standing in the kitchen, seasoning some chicken leg quarters and placing them on a baking pan. There was a loaf of bread sitting on the counter and a bowl of chopped potatoes and onions.

She looked gorgeous standing there. She had put her hair in a loose bun on top of her head, and golden curls framed her face. She sniffled and blinked rapidly, allowing a tear to escape the corner of her eye. He strode to her, placing his finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“What?” Confusion swept across her face. Blinking again, more tears fell down her cheek. “Oh! I’m okay. I was slicing those onions. Onions always make me cry like this.”

Liam let out a breath and stepped back. His gut still wrenched from seeing the kaleidoscopes play in her eyes, he watched as Emily continued to prepare dinner. “I’ve never seen roasted chicken prepared that way,” he said as Emily spread the chopped onions and potatoes next to the chicken on the pan before placing everything in the waiting hot oven. Then she went to wash her hands.

Laughing, she answered, “Well. It’s normally just me. This is a lot easier than roasting a whole chicken. And it’s just as good.’

A buzzing sounded on the opposite counter. “Oh, that’s just my best friend, Lexi. I told her you were staying for dinner and she’s worried.”

Liam grinned. “It sounds like she’s looking out for you.”

Emily scrunched her nose while staring at her phone, and her brows drew together.

“What is it?”

“Oh. She’s paranoid. I love her to death, though. She’s worried that I’m alone with you in my apartment. So, I told her I would call her a little later to check in.”

“Give her a call now.” Liam casually leaned against the counter opposite of her, resting his hands behind him.

“What?” Emily asked.

“Call her. Tell her I’m happy to answer any of her questions.”

Emily raised her eyebrows. “Okay, but I’m warning you now, she’s a firecracker.” Emily pressed the call button on her phone and briefly spoke to her friend before holding her hand out to Liam. “Here you go,” she said with a sexy smirk.

He took the phone. “Hello, this is Liam Wesley,” he said as he gave Emily a wink. “I know Emily is your best friend. She’s very lucky to have you. I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about.” Pause. “No, I haven’t dated in quite a while.”

“Oh my God! Alexis. Knock it off!” Emily shouted.

Liam took her hand and led her into the living room, where they both sat down on her sofa. Liam placed both of their hands on