Sorceress Hunting (A Gargoyle and Sorceress Tale Book 3) by Lisa Blackwood

best under the
circumstances to save as many human lives as possible. But if Gregory lost
respect in her because of it?
    Well then, she’d just have to be strong and keep her
secret because there was no way she wanted to lose Gregory’s respect or have
him loath himself.
    Given a choice, she’d make sure neither outcome came
to pass. Which brought her to her first relationship hurdle. How to give
Gregory what he needed without revealing something forbidden had already
occurred. If she tried to guard against him intruding on her thoughts, he’d
just get more suspicious, and then sniff out what had happened. He could read
her far too well—actually knew some of her thoughts when they were touching.
    So she would make certain her thoughts were clear and
obvious, and not give him reason to dig deeper.
    She hoped her plan with the fire was a good start. If
it wasn’t, she’d know pretty quickly, too. Subtle Gregory wasn’t.
     
    *****
     
    She had the fire burning merrily by the time Gregory
exited the bathroom with his customary two towels tied around his waist. His
ebony mane was hanging around his shoulders and still dripping water.
    A smile tugged at her lips. Gregory, predictable as
always, made straight toward her with another towel in one hand and a large comb
in the other.
    He stopped next to her, still towering over her in his
silent way as he stared down at the top of her head. The mat she’d set out by
the fire was big enough even for Gregory to stretch full length on. She patted
the mat. “I know we should get some rest since we have to be up again in a few
hours, but I’m still wound too tight to sleep. I thought we could help each
other relax.”
    Gregory made a deep huffing sound in humor but dropped
down next to her.
    “Here,” she held her hand out for the comb, “I’ll
start with your mane. The fire’s heat will help it dry.”
    She knelt behind him, with her knees to either side of
his broad hips, and began working loose the tangles in his mane. His wings
spread out to the sides to allow her in closer to his back, so it wasn’t such a
reach. She quickly fell into a routine. The rhythmic brushing relaxed her
nearly as much as it did him. She took her time until every tangle was out, and
his mane flowed smoothly down his back.
    When she was finished at last, she stretched up and
laced her arms around his neck in a backward hug.
    Their nightly routine brought her a deep sense of
peace. They remained silent, words not needed between them. He brought her
palms up to his lips and planted warm kisses on each while he curled his
muscular tail across her hips and along her back. The tip curled around her
shoulder and under her chin. She’d grown familiar with his way of returning her
hug. With her cheek pressed against his damp mane, she closed her eyes and
inhaled his pleasant scent, made stronger by his shower.
    With another slow, easy smile, she pressed a kiss to
the bulky muscle of one shoulder. Gregory rumbled happily and twisted towards
her.
    “Hah! No, you don’t. Tonight is for you. You’re the
one who dodged bullets.” She slowly ran her fingers over the healed grazes on
his shoulder, flank, and wing. “Well, mostly dodged.”
    “I’d have taken worse to protect you.”
    “I know.” Lillian ran her hands down his back,
skimming them between his powerful wing joints, where they merged smoothly with
his flight muscles. His wings shifted at her touch as if the light caress
tickled. “You’ve really got to stop trying to martyr yourself.”
    “Never.”
    She huffed out a good imitation of his annoyance.
“Well then, I’ll just have to keep making it up to you, I suppose.”
    Gregory turned to her, a hint of wicked humor in his
gaze.
    “Subtle, Gregory, really subtle.” She smiled and made
a gesture encompassing the entire mat. “Lay down.”
    With another of his contented rumbles, he did as she
instructed. She noted he completed the task with far more grace than she could
have