Page 58 of Grave Beginnings

Ezra nodded, grabbed the door, and closed it as he left, giving us a small sense of privacy.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, worried what our team would think of us.

He breathed against my skin, heart pounding beneath my palm. “You apologize a lot.”

“I’m—”

“You don’t need to be sorry,” Angel interrupted. “Did you know apologizing all the time is a sign of trauma?”

“Yeah. But I’ve done the therapy thing, and it didn’t seem to do much other than make me aware of my many, many faults.” It was also a sign that I was feeling very vulnerable in the new job,and with a suddenly awakened magical ability no one could tell me how to control, while being unusually attracted to my partner.

“Can I make you dinner tonight?”

I blinked, processing the words. Was he asking me on a date? “Do you cook?”

He snorted, which tickled my neck where he remained nuzzled. “Yes, and I’d like to feed you.”

“Okay,” I agreed. “I like food. But I’ll need to go home and check on my brother first.”

“Sure.” He hesitated to let me go, and I could feel his tension rising.

“What?” I prodded.

“I live across the Veil,” he admitted, grip loosening as I stiffened.

“Is that safe?”

“As safe as it is anywhere.”

“Okay. Do you want me to meet you somewhere after work?” How would I navigate across the Veil? Were there maps?

“We can go together, if that’s okay with you. I can pick you up after you look in on your brother.”

“Sure. Will my phone work at your place in case my grandfather or Ivan calls?”

“Yes. You’re close to your grandpa?”

“He took care of me when my folks kicked me out. Well, him and my grandma. He’s in a senior living complex, but it’s not assisted, and I check on him a lot, order him food, spend a day off cleaning, and all that.”

Angel straightened, a smile tugging the edge of his lips. “I’m glad you had someone.”

Had Angel had anyone? “What about the team? Is Ezra going to report us?” I bit my lip.

“There are no rules about dating in SED.”

I let that sink in. This was really going to be a date. Withexpectations? Not that I didn’t desperately want to sink into him, but we weren’t there yet. “Dating.”

“Is dinner not a date where you come from?”

“It is, but…” How did I clarify without sounding like a cock tease?

“No strings, Jude.”

“Can you read my mind?”

“No. Nor am I any part sex demon.”

“Can you smell what I’m thinking?”