A Little Night Muse(11)

                His heart stopped. “Wet?” She didn’t mean...

                She stepped back. “Come.” Her voice—soft and husky—was like a                     velvet hook set in his stupid open mouth. But if she wanted to play catch and                     release, he was willing game.

                His boot hit the bottom step before he realized he was moving.                     The snake skin stuck to his heel, and it rustled across the plank. He paused to                     kick it free. “Damn snakes,” he muttered. He propped the rifle and his hat by                     the porch railing as she backed into the house.

                “It’s wet everywhere,” she said. “And cold.”

                Cold sort of snapped him out of his                     daze. That and the splash of water under his foot spreading across the slate                     tile.

                “Well, hell.” Distracted by the plumbing problem, he glanced                     around. “Busted pipe. I warned Vaile about insulating.”

                She stiffened. “The Hunter is here?”

                Josh shook his head. “The Hunters are away. Not sure when to                     expect them back.” Now that he thought about it, seemed odd they hadn’t                     mentioned a return date. Now that he thought about that, seemed odd he hadn’t questioned it before.

                First things first. “I need to find that pipe.”

                He edged past the woman. The scent of her—lush and mysterious                     and dark, like the tiny seep springs in the woods, trickling from rocks and                     roots—swirled around him. He inhaled, and his boots angled to follow her without                     his conscious effort.

                In the kitchen, the mini flood washed away his distraction.                     “Shit.” He dragged one hand through his hair, trying to get his head on                     straight. “The freeze last night must have broke a pipe.” He crouched by the                     sink and opened the cabinet underneath. There, right at the wall. “Best to turn                     off the whole house until we check the rest. Vaile will kill the contractor.”                     When he turned and straightened, the woman’s face was drawn tight. “Hey there.                     You okay?”

                He put his hand on her arm. Through the silky fabric, she was                     cold to his touch. But the spark that leapt between them was hot. Crazy-hot                     scorching, like his nerves had turned to electrified fence.