“So why do you need McKell’s time-stopping skills at the bar?” she asked, returning to a less upsetting topic.
“If he can stop time, maybe he can reverse time. And if he can reverse time, we can pounce while the queen is here, distracted and talking to Dallas.”
“But if he reverses time, won’t that affect you? I mean, you still wouldn’t know the queen was there.” And how would it affect Ava? Would a time reversal wipe away the memory of McKell’s kiss?
“Well, stopping time doesn’t affect McKell. Maybe reversing it won’t affect him, either.”
“Nice deflection, but you didn’t answer my question. What if the reversal affects you?”
“I don’t know,” Noelle replied on a sigh. “Maybe it won’t. Maybe he can reverse time for select individuals, allowing those of his choosing to remain unaffected like him.”
“That’s a lot of maybes.”
“Actually, that’s two maybes. Just ask him if he can do it, will ya?”
“I’ll ask, but he’ll refuse to help.” Hopefully. Ava’s step faltered a second time. She wanted McKell to refuse her? Just to retain the memory of his lips pressed against hers? How selfish was she? “He’s not happy with me at the moment.”
Noelle moaned. “What’d you do this time?”
“What makes you think I did something? I’m—”
“Earlier you said you hurt him. What’d you do, Ava?”
She had to say it, didn’t she? “I, uh, kind of tasered him.”
Another moan sounded, then a sigh. “Okay. This isn’t completely hopeless. While he’s writhing in agony, go buy him a sappy card. That always lets people know you’re almost sorry.”
“There you are,” McKell’s butterscotch voice said.
Ava yelped in surprise and nearly dropped the phone. She must have lost focus—again—because she realized he was now keeping pace beside her, as if nothing bad had transpired between them. He appeared fine. Pale, but fine.
Thank God. Relief speared her, stronger than any other emotion she’d experienced that day.
“I’ll be there,” she told Noelle, “no matter what. As for him, he’s not writhing, so there’s no need for the card. But he may or may not be with me.” She severed the connection before her friend could reply and pocketed the phone.
“Be where?” McKell asked.
“A bar.” She grabbed his wrist. Electric currents must have still raced underneath his skin, because the sizzle seeped into her. She turned him, so that they were heading in the other direction. His violet gaze remained locked on her, his lids at half-mast, his lips soft and … ready?
Heat bloomed in her cheeks. Was he thinking about drinking from her? She waited for him to try, breathless. Even waited for him to try and take a swing at her for bringing him down like a mangy animal. He did neither. Unfortunately.
Damn it. What was wrong with her, wanting him to make a play for her like that? Any play.
“Him who?” he demanded as they meandered down the street.
“You,” she answered honestly.
The tension in his shoulders eased. Tension she hadn’t noticed before. “So you weren’t wanting the aid of another man?”
“No.” She could barely handle McKell.
“Then I won’t spank you.”
McKell … spanking her … Someone get this man a paddle. “Gee. Thanks.” Good. There’d been no intrigue in her tone.
“You’re welcome. So where are we going? A bar, you said?”
“Not yet.” She pointed to a building across the street, even as she raced to the other side. He never fell behind, but he did grab her just before she hit the curb, jerking her to the right.
“What?” she demanded, surprised.
His expression was as tense as his body had been. “I didn’t want you walking into … nothing. Just be more careful.”
Walking into what? She glanced around, saw nothing out of the ordinary. Weird vampire.
“So we’re going to Starbucks?” he asked, giving her a little push forward. “How will a coffee help me?”
“You’re not the only one who gets thirsty.” She entered the building, and immediately cursed under her breath. Despite the late hour, there was a crowd. Was everyone in need of a pick-me-up?
She found a place at the end of the line, noting the way every female there watched McKell. Some stealthily, some with outright awe. Ava couldn’t blame them, but she did resent them. He’s mine, she wanted to shout. Which was absurd.
Had to be Noelle’s proclamation. You’re his woman. To his credit, he seemed completely oblivious to the sudden surge of estrogen and pheromones wafting his way.
“So. This bar,” he said.
Ripples of feminine pleasure accompanied his low, purring timbre.
“Right. The bar,” she replied. “I’m sorry, but hunting you-know-whats has to be put on hold.”
His eyebrows furrowed together, a slash of black against the creamy expanse of his skin. “Because I was a naughty boy?”
McKell … naughty … She gulped, her blood heating dangerously. He’d said that on purpose, the diabolical bastard. Now all she could think about was naked bodies straining together. As if you can blame him. You were thinking about that, anyway.
“No. Because I’m an agent, and I have a job to do.”
“Oh, well. I’ll go with you and help.”
Exactly what Noelle had wanted. Exactly what Ava had told her friend wouldn’t happen. Yet he’d offered easily, without being asked, without whining.
“You’re sick.” As she spoke, she watched him closely, gauging his reaction. His expression never changed. No fear, no upset. “You should be resting.”
“I’ll never be too sick to protect you.” Seductively uttered, as if they were discussing favorite sexual positions. Oh, yes. He was doing it on purpose, and she had every right to blame him. And punish him. With a severe tongue-lashing.
She tried to mask her shiver with a cough. “I think I’ve proven that I can take care of myself.”
“True. But even the best soldiers need backup upon occasion.”
Even the best soldiers, he’d said. Did he consider her a “best soldier?” Did he respect her skill? The pleasure she took from that was immeasurable. “You’d be willing to take a pyre-ray for me?” she asked, serious. “Because I’m heading into a den of vipers. Well, vipers to you. To me, they’re colleagues. They might shoot you first and ask questions later.”