Emerald Fire Read Free Page B

stabbed at her plate. “Why didn’t they come with you, though? Did they really expect you to do this alone?”
    Brock shrugged and focused on his food. “My best friend Damis has found his mate so he’s a little busy. In addition, he is preparing to take over his father’s rule. His mate, Kat, would have volunteered, but I couldn’t ask her to do that.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “For fuck sake, I’m a grown man and should be able to do this on my own.” Realization hit. “Wait, you know what happened?”
    She met his gaze and looked a bit uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. It’s kinda common knowledge around here. People tend to ask about the house encased in magic.” She sucked in a breath and turned back to her plate. “There’s nothing wrong with leaning on friends, but I understand your reluctance.” She gave him an understanding smile. “I still hope you’ll allow me to help.”
    He wasn’t sure yet if he would accept her help. Something about her comforted him and scared the shit out of him at the same time.
    * * * *
    Sarah stood outside the house and watched while Brock unraveled the magic woven around it. The demon fidgeted and paced, and on more than one occasion, she worried he would run from her. She hoped, once inside, he would be able to find peace. Something in her gut told her his jitters were not all due to the opening of old wounds. She realized she actually made him nervous. When she’d caught him admiring her assets, she’d been anything but angry. His roving eyes had sent moisture between her thighs and a longing that nearly had her shoving him to the floor to sate her desire. Hot, inviting, he made her mouth water. She wondered if he tasted anything like the spicy cinnamon scent she inhaled every time she got near him and decided she needed to find out. Would it be in poor taste to seduce him when he was at his weakest? For some reason, she didn’t care, and that was really out of character for her.
    “Sarah?”
    She looked up and met his dark, brown eyes, noting a twinkle of mischief in them.
    “Find something you like?” he chuckled.
    Shit. She’d been caught staring at his ass. Well, it wasn’t her fault he filled out a pair of jeans like nobody’s business. Not to mention he was standing two steps up from her which put the muscular perfection right at eye level. She curled her lips upward. “As a matter of fact, yes. Yes, I did.” There, let him chew on that! She hoped he’d take it as a hint of her interest.
    He tipped back his head in laughter. “Well, I guess I deserve that after I gawked at you.”
    He pushed the door open, his features immediately schooled. Her heart ached for him and longed to see the sexy smile again. Her new goal was to get him through this and help him move on. She wanted to get to know the real Brock. The one who wasn’t in pain.
    “I’ll go first just to make sure it’s safe.” He slipped past the threshold and disappeared. Sarah remained on the first step, waiting for him to give her the all clear. Minutes later, he stuck his head out, his face ashen. “You can come in.”
    She made her way up the remaining steps and through the doorway, not sure what she would find inside and half expecting her senses to be assaulted. She took in a deep breath and found the air to be crisp and clean. She must have had a puzzled look on her face.
    “The spell kept everything out so there’s no mildew or mold,” he stated matter of fact.
    She glanced around the spacious kitchen and felt as if she’d stepped back in time. The white porcelain refrigerator and gas range with its side storage compartment were state of the art for the period when the house had been previously occupied. Everything glistened as if freshly cleaned, waiting for the museum patrons to walk through the time capsule. She noticed Brock no longer stood next to her so she moved across the linoleum floor to the beige carpeted living room. She found him standing in the