Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series by Tiffany Shand Page A

but she should be here soon,” he replied. “Congrats by the way.”
    “On what?” Did he think she and Jason were a couple now?
    “Becoming the Second, of course. Can’t say Mel will be as congratulating though. I think she feels sorry for you.”
    “Thanks, I feel sorry for me too. Jade, why don’t you and I start searching the upstairs of the main house?” she asked. “Everyone keep your comm links on and be vigilant. There’s probably a few traps around here.”
    Cate and Jade passed through the main house. From what they saw it appeared scarcely furnished; it had hideous dark red walls and mahogany floors throughout. After a quick scan to make sure the building was clear of any potential hazards, the two of them headed up to the first floor and into the largest bedroom, which they thought was Bethany’s.
    “You and Jason seem a bit off this morning,” Jade commented.
    “I was hoping to talk to you about that.” She turned away from a set of bookcases. “Something really weird happened last night.” She explained the dream she had about Jason and the following nightmare. “Then this morning we woke up in bed together, with our arms around each other. Talk about embarrassment.”
    Jade grinned. “It’s about time you two...”
    “We didn’t – I mean, we didn’t have sex,” she said in a low voice. “We just fell asleep together.”
    “In your bed and in each other’s arms. Hey, do you think maybe that dream was trying to tell you something?”
    “It was just a dream and a weird one at that. I’m not some kind of virginal sacrifice and as far as I know Jason isn’t a god. Nor is he in love with me.”
    “Ha, yeah right! Sweetie, I know you’re good at reading people, but Denai or not, anyone can see that Jason –”
    “Don’t start! I’ve told you a million times, we’re not a couple and nor would I want to be.”
    “Oh come on, you know him better than anyone, and you’ve been good friends for years. All you need to do now is take the next step.”
    “He’s my partner and…”
    “You can’t tell me you haven’t ever thought of Jason in that way. The guy looks like a god and has all that sexy male energy about him. Hell, even I drool over him sometimes.”
    “You drool over any breathing male!” Cate laughed.
    “The point is, you have a gorgeous guy who likes spending time with you and lives under your roof.”
    “He has his own room!” she protested.
    “Yeah, but you have to admit, you kind of liked waking up next to him, didn’t you? If that were me, I would have had my way with him and maybe tied him to the bedpost.” Jade smiled at the image. “Come on Cate, when was the last time you had sex anyway?”
    “I just haven’t taken a fancy to anyone lately.”
    “You haven’t been on a date in weeks. Why not ask Jason out?”
    “Goddess, no!”
    “He’s not seeing anyone, is he?”
    “I don’t know. We don’t really talk about that kind of thing.”
    “Great, he’s single and so are you. You two are completely perfect for each other. It’s time you got over your commitment phobia.”
    “I don’t have a commitment phobia and I don’t do serious relationships either, you know that.”
    “Fine, think of him as a friend with benefits.”
    “We work together — being anything other than friends will just be too weird. Not that I want anything more than that.”
    “But you’re thinking about it.”
    Cate groaned. “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything to you. Now I’m never going to hear the end of it.”
    “Damn right! We need to come up with the best way for you to ask Jason out.”
    “I am not asking Jason out,” she snapped. “Now let’s focus on work, that’s an order.”
    “I don’t take orders from you.”
    “Wanna bet? I’m team leader and Second Grand Mistress.”
    “I can’t believe you’re pulling rank on me.” Jade pouted.
    Cate grinned. “The rank might as well be good for something. I order you not to talk about Jason