Free Summon Dorn (Archangels Creed) by Azure Boone, Kenra Daniels

this guy was. "He isn't all that bad." Jessie rubbed her palm along her leg.
    " Yes. He is."
    She met his gaze at hearing how serious he was. Factual serious. Premonition serious. "Well, I'm not really that into him. We just…flirt really."
    Lucian made a derisive sound that said he knew more than she was aware.
    "Are you holding out on me? Lucian?"
    He sighed and stroked the steering wheel while gazing out his window. "I know he's a prick. I know he's not into you like he should be. I know…well, I think you deserve much better. Not to mention you're far too beautiful for him."
    Jessie 's heart pieces raced back into her chest to contract painfully at the never-in-her-life compliment. What to do with that? He's gay, he's gay, he's gay, she reminded herself .
    Why did he have to be gay? "Well!" She couldn't contain a choked laugh. "That's a first. I've never had anyone…" She nodded and shrugged, clearing the emotion from her voice. "That's a…first." Stupid to get all gooey over one compliment. She suddenly felt awkward in the silence. Lucian's gaze on her still bore near-physical weight. She was afraid to look. She didn't want his pity. Or his condescension. She scrambled mentally for something else to talk about. "So. What…what do you have in mind for your brother? I mean…for long term care?"
    Lucian gave a deep yeah, that sigh and rubbed one hand through his hair, leaving the jet black silk lying in tousled waves.
    Jessie released a breath she hadn 't noticed she'd held. She hated to bring that up, but risked it to change the subject from her pathetic love life and how immune she'd become to living in Loserville as Miss Lesser Than.
    " I have no clue. I suppose I'll take care of him until I can figure that out. I don't know what else I can do."
    " You…know how? I mean it's not hard but…"
    He choked a bitter laugh. "Of course I don't. I'm utterly clueless. I never imagined having to deal with anything like this."
    The heavy hopelessness in Lucian 's tone compelled Jessie to rescue him. "I can help you, don't worry. It's not like I have a life outside my job anyway."
    There was a moment of silence. "Why is that?"
    Jessie looked at him and tried not to become lost in his forest gaze. "I'm just…not that social." Cause I'm a klutz and get tired of the rejection. "Prefer solitude." Jessie smiled through the lie to keep from crying, then bit her lower lip when his eyes seemed to lower to her mouth.
    He reached and stroked her jaw and she flinched under the soft touch, her body coming alive.
    "It still hurts?" He drew his hand away and lifted his intent green gaze to hers.
    " Oh! No, no, it's all better." She reached up and felt the tender spot on her jaw that wasn't all better. Why did she have to pretend everything was perfect?
    " Good."
    Her heart plummeted into her stomach at the tenderness in his voice. She rolled her window down. "Such a beautiful day, isn't it? You know, I could come by your place and help you plan for your brother's stay. Like what you need and how and where to get everything. Or not, I mean, there's services you can call that are more than cap—"
    " No, please, I'd love that. For you to help me. Since…we're already acquainted I mean, and you're friends with Leo."
    Jessie smiled into her lap. "Yeah, exactly what I was thinking."
    " When can you come?"
    She opened the lid to her drink and filled her mouth with the crushed ice, hoping to douse the fire raging through her. "Anytime. Well, I work days right now, so…" She chewed loudly. "…any evening is fine with me."
    " How's tonight sound?"
    Jessie fought to hide the combustible excitement roiling through her. "Tonight?"
    " That's too soon, I'm sure," Lucian mumbled.
    She tried to figure out how to keep her elation out of her voice, and probably didn 't succeed even a little. "No, not at all. Tonight is fine. Tonight is great. Perfect."
    " I'll do my best to get your car back to you today by the way."
    " Oh yeah, that's right. No car."
    "