Power Trip(43)

“Oh my God, it is.” Audrey unzipped her backpack and shoved the computer inside.

Cal followed them into the hall and shut the office door. “What are the guards doing?” he asked.

“Playing Angry Birds on their phones. I couldn’t imagine what was taking you guys so long. I erased the recording of our entry, but I was thinking a small power surge might be helpful. On the way out?”

“Sure,” Cal said.

“Neutral is such a lame power,” Audrey muttered, leading the way out of the lab.





Audrey got out of the car and handed Jake her keys. An eyebrow rose above his shades. “You’re not coming with me?”

“Your bachelor pad can’t compete with this, especially when my new lab equipment arrives.” She’d dictated a list on the drive from Genecorp and Cal had already gone into the house to call his purveyor, even though it was midnight.

She felt safe here, with Cal and his alarms, but what about Jake? “What if they come after you now?”

“I can take care of myself.” He tapped his dark glasses with one thick finger.

“Not if somebody hits you on the back of the head or blasts you with one of those silver stun guns,” she argued.

He shrugged. “I’ve got a hard head and a thick hide. I’ll be careful.”

She laid a hand on his arm. “Are you going home?”

“Eventually.”

Which meant he was going to the Lair first, probably to pick up some company. She rolled her eyes. “Pervert.”

“Glass house, sis. You’re shacked up with the Lair’s edgiest Dom. I should be telling you to be careful.”

She cocked her head. “Why aren’t you?”

“Be careful.” He leaned up to kiss her cheek.

“Smartass. Call me tomorrow.” She went into the house and followed the sound of Cal’s voice until she found him in the den behind the kitchen. She dropped down next to him on the leather couch, suddenly exhausted. It sounded like he’d made it about halfway through her list. Her eyes slid shut as she listened to his conversation, filled with pauses as whoever was on the other side of the line searched for items.

“Wake up, sleepyhead.” Something stroked her arm and she sighed, settling deeper into her warm cocoon. She opened her eyes and realized she was stretched out on the couch, covered by a blanket.

“You can sleep there if you want,” Cal offered.

No, she wanted to sleep with him. She sat up and struggled to fold the blanket.

“Leave it.” He clicked off the light.

She dropped the blanket on the couch and followed him out of the room. Instead of turning right, toward his bedroom, he led her upstairs. Disappointment made her miss a step. He paused, waiting for her to regain her footing. Of course he wouldn’t sleep with her. He wouldn’t even kiss her. What had she been thinking?

At his gesture, she preceded him into a guest bedroom and waited for him to leave, longing to be alone, buried under the covers with her humiliation.

“I wish I could stay,” he said softly.

Was he a mind reader now? She tried to give him a smile, but her lips trembled. Good God, she was not going to cry. She cleared her throat. “It’s fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He leaned against the door, as if he hadn’t heard her dismissal. “I dream at night.”

“Most people do.” It was impossible not to sound a little bitchy.

“Not like I do. I have blackout curtains on the windows and the room is soundproofed. I dream blue fire all night and I can’t control it. It’s not safe to sleep with me.”

She wanted to be mad at him, but he looked tortured, leaning against the doorframe, not even trying to mask his emotions. His eyes blazed and his mouth was tight. Desire was written all over his face. She couldn’t punish him more. “I get it, Cal. I really do. But I’m tired. I could use a cuddle, and since I’m not going to get it, could you please just leave? I’ll have my equilibrium back tomorrow.” This time, she managed a creditable smile.

“A cuddle, huh? I can do that. As long as I don’t fall asleep,” he amended.

Her heart began to beat faster. “Really?”

He nodded and kicked off his shoes. “Pajamas?” he asked, pointing at a pile of clothes.

He must have moved them upstairs from where she’d left them when she emptied out the backpack. Inwardly, she groaned—of course Jake had packed her flannel cupcake pajamas. Oh well, it was probably for the best. She stepped into the adjoining bathroom to brush her teeth and change.

Was it selfish of her to ask him to do this?

Probably, she decided, but he was a big boy. He didn’t have to offer and he could change his mind. When she returned to the bedroom, he was stretched out under the covers. She climbed in beside him, noting the gleam in his eyes but appreciating the fact he didn’t comment on her pajamas. They settled into each other. Tentatively, she slid her arm over his chest. When he didn’t protest, she let her leg find a place between his.