Piper had a glass of wine in her hand. The flames in the gas fire pit in front of her flickered and gave off just enough warmth to keep her cozy in the outdoor area. Anson had been circling the party, moving in some kind of pattern that made sense to him. His eyes were always on her. At least she assumed they were because every time she sought him out in the crowd she would see that flash of silver.

The party had been a flurry of activity, the word that a Kindred was present spread quickly. Luckily, her parents’ friends were all great people and almost everyone was excited to introduce themselves. He’d told them all he worked with her at the bank and her parents played along with it. It was a nice lie that kept her from getting those sad understanding looks she was so used to now. Instead, she got winks and knowing looks. A few were bold enough to give her a thumbs up, thinking she was dating him.

Piper wasn’t going to explain herself. She’d done that enough in her life. There had to be a day in her future that she could reach where she wouldn’t have to explain anything. She could just be.

Anson was coming around back to her, checking in to see if she needed anything. She’d reminded him that he wasn’t her servant. He told her to stop being difficult and asked again whether she needed a drink. He’d returned with the wine she requested then started off again.

Piper kept her eyes on him as he approached. She loved seeing them. The reflection would have sent off warning signals in a normal person. To Piper they made her feel more relaxed. She felt her shoulders drop when she saw them. She wouldn’t have been honest if she didn’t admit that once or twice she had thought how it would feel when he didn’t watch over her anymore. If her stalker could be found and put behind bars that would be the last time she’d probably see Anson. He’d move on.

“Can I get you anything?” his deep voice asked as he stopped in front of her. She had to crank her head back to look at him.

“I don’t usually get sloshed at my parents’ house. I’m warm and slightly medicated after three glasses, thanks.”

Anson took a seat next to her. “Your mom’s a good cook.”

“She is. She loves entertaining. I never had that urge,” Piper said with a laugh. “I have an aversion to parties where I’m the center of attention now.”

“Makes sense. I don’t like people looking at me either.”

Piper made a choked sound. “You know people look at you all the time, right?”

“I know, doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“I suppose not. Must be hard to be Kindred. There are some humans that just can’t get over the appeal of you and your kind.”

“I’ve dealt with groupies all my life. Kindred know it’s part of living together. I still would rather be alone in the woods or out on a board in the ocean.”

“That’s nice. I’m not much of a camper. I do like beaches though.”

“Do you ski?”

“Sort of. It’s mostly a controlled fall down the hill. I’ve yet to break something. I don’t go for myself, only when others guilt me into going.”

“I’d like to go with you. I enjoy snowboarding. We might have enough snow this year to ski by Thanksgiving.”

“You think you’ll still be on my job then?”

Anson was quiet for a moment. “I think that however long it takes, we might as well keep living.”

Piper didn’t want to let the idea of spending time with him on what could be construed as a date to wiggle into her mind. It was too tempting.

“I don’t suppose we’ll be able to fix this anytime soon.”

“I think we’re looking in places that no one has looked before. I have expectations of finding this man,” he said, his voice angry and she could hear his bear as he spoke.

Realizing he wasn’t happy with the topic, she asked a question that had been bothering her for a few days. “Were you avoiding me last week?”

Anson seemed to hesitate. “Yes and no. You needed to meet everyone. Your routine had to be run through each person. But yes, I was giving myself some space.”

“Giving yourself space?” she asked.

“Like I said on the ferry, this isn’t just business.”

Piper set her glass down so she could bring her hands up to cover her face. She didn’t need fairy tales, she needed peace.

“I’m sorry if it seems like I’m pushing you away. I mean, I am, but it’s really for your own good.”

Anson reached up and pulled her hands away. “You think it’s for my own good?”

“I know it is. Nothing changes. I’m under a cloud here. I’m sinking, Anson. I can’t allow myself to think that way.”

“What if I’m the one that is meant to hold you up? Give you the break you need?”

Piper loved the way that sounded. A break. She always had to hold everything together so tightly. She felt like she would fly apart if she didn’t. Managing her job, her safety, her broken relationships, so many people and feelings that she felt responsible for. There wasn’t room for doubt or to let her take a breath.

“And what if you aren’t?” she whispered, searching his eyes, hoping he could see that she couldn’t give him anything.

“Shouldn’t we try? See if there is something there?”

“I wish I could give you even that. That I had a little to offer you. If I was selfish I’d let myself indulge in the fantasy. Think about it when things were dark. That would be nice,” she said softly.

Anson let out a growl that she was sure others had to have heard.

“Please, Anson, not here, not now.”

“I’m not letting this go, Piper. You need help.”

Piper didn’t disagree with him. She took such pride in managing herself and her affairs. Anson looking at her so fiercely made her falter for only a moment. She couldn’t hold his gaze for long. His eyes spoke of things that she couldn’t have. Looking too long would confuse her.

Taking a sip of her drink, she turned her gaze back to the fire. Handsome Kindred or not, Piper had to keep strong for herself.

* * *

Anson didn’t know what to do. His papa’s words kept echoing in his head. He reached out to those he thought could help him and give him some sense of whether he should or shouldn’t pursue the woman sitting across from him. The pain in her eyes was so deep, so entrenched, that his animal side wanted to rip it out with his claws. He wanted to take her home with him, tuck her into bed, and keep her protected. Even if that meant shifting and watching over her.

Not that his small rented apartment was good enough for her. He’d been renting it for two years and had never even bothered to decorate it aside from the photos he pinned to the wall in the living room. The collage reminded him of his life, all of his parents, his Clan and the adventures and experiences he sought out on a regular basis. It was the single guy’s version of a photo album. He traveled so much that his time was spent at work or outdoors when he was free. His house was a place to sleep, not to live.

Anson watched her, he couldn’t help himself. Every small movement she did registered with him. Her plump limps pressing together as she looked like she was chewing on her problems. Her sad eyes directed into the flames that were reflecting back at her. Her forehead looked tight, as though her mind was running a mile a minute. Between her job and her problems, she was running full tilt and Anson wondered if she ever had a quiet moment.

The Crone hadn’t said that she was his mate. She also didn’t say she wasn’t. Anson needed to buckle down and do his job. Find out who was following her and causing her stress, that was his job. That was his mission. If he could finish the job, there was a chance what he was feeling would just fade and life would go back to normal. He would go back to searching for his mate. Piper would go on living her life.

For some reason that outcome didn’t set well with him. It bothered him and made him want to roar. There was nothing about it that felt right. His feelings were valid. He liked her. Everything about her. Why shouldn’t he spend time with her? Because she didn’t want him. That was why.

But, he felt that she did, deep down. Her words to him belied the fact that she was rejecting her own feelings towards him. That meant there were feelings to be had. Standing, Anson started taking his perimeter walk again, his eyes scanning for trouble as they kept slipping back to her. A middle-aged woman came and sat next to her and he saw Piper put on a happy face for the woman. Anson could tell that it wasn’t real. She slid a mask over her face whenever anyone else was around. That mask didn’t come on with him. He took comfort in that. She was real with him. She was vulnerable. He wasn’t about to let that gift go unnoticed. She trusted him. If he had to start somewhere with her, he’d take that.