CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I stretched as morning rays penetrated my closed eyelids. An immense yawn cracked my jaw, and I groaned. I pulled the covers up over my head, not quite ready to wake up.
The bed was so comfy and warm, a little haven all of my own. My peaceful place where dreams emerged, taking me to other worlds or into exciting adventures halfway across the planet.
A masculine snicker had my eyes flying open, subdued light pushing through the red blanket over my body.
My blanket was white…
This was not my bed.
I curled my fingers over the top of the fluffy comforter, and ever so slowly, pulled it down to my nose, my eyes peeking over the edge. My eyes widened, large as saucers. I squeaked, “Am I in your bed?”
Finn’s left shoulder was leaning against a doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest as he studied me. “You are.”
“What am I doing here?” My eyes flicked over his bedroom, catching hues of navy and red. Maybe a few splashes of wood here or there. I gripped the cover tighter, keeping it over my nose. “How did I get here?”
“You fell asleep in the train right after the park. I decided you could stay the night here, when you didn’t wake up by my bedtime.”
“You mean, we rode around in your train all day?”
“Yes. I had a few business contracts I had to work on, so I had my assistant send them to me there. It wasn’t an issue.”
“Why didn’t you just take me home?” I cried.
“You looked so damn peaceful.” He had no remorse for his actions, standing in a pristine suit as he was, ready to face a new day. “I didn’t want to wake you up.”
My eyes couldn’t be any larger. “But my parents! I haven’t gotten my own apartment yet. I still live with them. They are going to be worried sick.”
“I know you live with them,” he responded, with patience. “I contacted them and told them you were staying with me at my place last night.”
I blinked.
Then I groaned.
I pulled the cover up over my head again.
Finn chuckled softly. “Was that a bad move?”
I groaned once more.
“A really bad move?” he amended.
“You were working on contracts yesterday, right? Well, you’ll probably have a new one on your desk this morning.” My palms landed on my face, hiding it, even though the cover did a fine job of it already. “It’ll be from my father. A nice and pretty marriage proposal for your consideration.”
He choked, the sound dreadfully like he was trying to contain his amusement at the situation. “Well…it won’t be the first one I’ve ever received. I actually have a wastebasket just for those lovely proposals.”
“I bet,” I moaned. “Get ready to add another to the waste. I guarantee Father will have sent you one. Bagging you for a son-in-law would be like a shooting star he could catch with a pretty, blonde net of Mina.”
He couldn’t contain it any longer.
His laughter boomed throughout the room.
“This is humiliating.”
He snorted down his hilarity. “Power hungry fathers aside, is there anything you need before I leave for work?”
“No,” I mumbled. “I’ll leave when you do.”
“There’s no rush. You can go back to sleep.”
“I have work too, if you’ve forgotten.” I finally pulled the blanket down to reveal my eyes again, allowing me to look at him. But I kept it up to my nose. “You aren’t the only one employed.”
His white brows furrowed. “Your file said you worked on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It’s Friday.”
I glared. “That is a bother.”
“What?”
“I was trying to be polite and not overstay my welcome—if I even had one to begin with. You weren’t supposed to know my work schedule.”
He smirked. “It really isn’t a problem if you want to stay. Just make sure to close the door behind you.”
“Fine. I’ll sleep a little longer.” I was already here.
“Why are you keeping the blanket on your face like that?”
“You’re a shifter with an excellent sense of smell, and I have morning breath.”
Finn’s head tipped back with surprised laughter. His chest shook with his merriment. “You are so delightful, Mina. But I already smelled your breath this morning. It’s not that bad, not as bad as mine was anyway. You were curled up against me all night long.”
“You slept in here with me?” I asked in shock.
“It’s my bed, my dear. And I did say I would get you in it.” He winked as he lifted himself off his doorframe. “Purchase a new bracelet today. I want to contact you. We’ll have a proper date where I can seduce you, so the next time we’re in that bed together, we won’t just sleep.”
Monsters are real.
Monsters are real.
Monsters are real.
No matter how many times I thought it now…
I didn’t give a damn what he was.
“Okay,” I whispered. He could hear it.
Satisfaction passed over his features, and he dipped his head in farewell. “Goodbye, Mina.”
“Safe travels, Finn.”
He walked out of the room, trusting me to stay in his home while he wasn’t here. From the silly gossip pieces I read every so often, he never let a woman into his home. He always took them to a hotel or went to their place for any sexy encounters.
Trust. He was showing he trusted me.
The way I had trusted him.
“What?” Finn shouted, his voice far away. “God, slow down. How many golems are there?”
A pause.
He growled, “I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
I jerked upright in bed. I was still wearing my evening gown. I was a damn filthy mess, but I jumped out of bed and grabbed my heels that were by the door.
I had no clue where I was going, but I followed the sound of expensive shoes clicking on tiling—pacing back and forth. I came to a skidding halt right in front of Finn. “What’s going on?”
He was tapping on his bracelet. “God’s house is being attacked. Poppy’s the only one there right now. She’s tough, but she faints every time she sees those damn things.”
“How long until your train is powered up?”
I knew he was preparing on his bracelet.
“One minute remaining. And I’ve sent a message to all the guys. They’ll be on their way too.”
“How many golems this time?”
His lips pinched. “More than yesterday.”
I stood to my full height. “I’m going with you.”
Finn snorted. “No.”
“It’s Poppy. She came to my rescue. It’s my turn to help her, and if she’s frightened, I may be able to calm her down. You said she faints every time with the golems. Maybe she just needs a woman to help her.”
His severe blue gaze jarred my own. “You’re serious? You believe you can help her?”
“I want to try. Like I said, she came to my rescue.”
Finn considered me for a moment. “You’ll stay in the train until I tell you otherwise.”
I nodded and bent to put on my heels. “I’m not arguing. I’ll do as you say. If it’s too dangerous, I understand.”
I followed him as he started walking. “I thought the master-man was supposed to be unconscious for a while.”
Finn jerked open his front door, the dawn cascading on his waiting train out front. “So did we.”