Page 21 of Taste of Blood

“Actually,” comes Asher’s smooth voice, “I was hoping to speak to this gentleman.”

I turn around and face him, and all that pent-up frustration comes surging to the forefront. See this is why I need to avoid him. I can’t come within ten feet of him without wanting to touch him. I squeeze my hands into fists and take a deep breath.

Something seems different about him. He doesn’t look like his usual immaculate self. In fact, if I had to guess, I’d say he slept in his clothes. He looks about as alert as I feel.

I step away from the desk so as not to be overheard. “What do you want, Asher?”

“You look tired. Pull an all-nighter?”

Oh no. I am not falling for that concerned act. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Maybe I can help. I do live here.”

“Do you know everyone who lives in this building?”

“Well, no…”

“Then I doubt you can help.”

He takes a step closer and lowers his voice, his eyes capturing mine. “As I recall, I used to help you quite a bit.”

I sigh and rub my eyes. I really don’t have the bandwidth to deal with this right now. “Let’s just get this over with. What do you really want?”

His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. In fact, there’s a helplessness there that looks completely out of place with his usual smug confidence.

“Do you hate me that much?” he asks softly.

Now I feel like a dick. “No, I don’t hate you. I just…I don’t want to fall back into the same pattern.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I don’t either. Please, Cord, give me a chance.”

It’s the “please” that does it. I’ve never heard Asher use that word before. At least, not with me. Still, I’m not ready to put the past behind me.

“I have to go home and get some sleep.”

He offers a lopsided grin. “I kind of need some sleep, too. I’ve been up all night.”

“Doing what?” I ask despite myself.

“Waiting for you by your car.”

“You…waited by my car?”

He nods. “All night. I couldn’t think of any other way to talk to you.”

Oh, I really don’t need this right now. “Look, I’m trying to stop a serial killer. I don’t have time to get into whatever this is between us.”

“Whateverthisis?” He sucks in a breath and holds my gaze, and I can’t stand the pain I see in his eyes. “Fine, go catch your serial killer.” I start to turn away when he adds, “But Cord…” I look back. “I’m not going away.”

As I head for the door, I could swear I hear a whispered, “I still love you.”

Maybe it’s just my imagination.

10: Asher

I NOW HAVE three pieces of information I didn’t have before.

Eduard Smyth.