Paragon - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

I paced around the penthouse.
This is exactly why we should remain in separate living quarters. There were too many opportunities for slip ups–especially when a certain lawyer started strutting out of bathrooms in nothing but a towel.
I sighed through my nose and raked my hair back.
My phone vibrated in my back pocket. I tore it out and answered curtly.
"Yes?"
"Ms Fletch– excuse me–Demarcus, are we still on track for take off tomorrow morning?"
I smiled as my pilot struggled with the norm of my ever changing identity. I paused my pacing and considered this. Looking around the room quickly and making the decision in less time.
"No. Move it up, get clearance for tonight. Update me if that will be an issue." I added, looking past the curtains as the sun dropped between skyscrapers.
"Of course. We'll make preparations for departure with air traffic–"
"Perfect." I interrupted briskly. "See you shortly." I hung up and took another measured breath. I looked down at my damp clothing that I had walked straight into the shower in. It wouldn't do.
I called concierge and ordered a fresh change of clothing. I added another to Quinn's room and glanced at the front door. She wisely had kept her distance for the last few hours since our heated encounter. I was more than grateful for it. My mind was running around the same thoughts of her body all afternoon.
She didn't yet realise how much it took to drag myself out of pure instinct and an urge to spill her blood. It was as second nature to me as breathing–but how could she understand. To her she just saw me avert my eyes and clench my jaw and assumed that was all it took.
I slumped into the sofa heavily and shut my eyes.
I thought of the first fateful mortal that had crossed me the day we had won the war. The day I was left bleeding out in a medical tent and drifting away... Only to come back into the world with a burning hunger that demanded nothing but blood.
There was so much of it around me available. I drained two men who were on beds nearest to me when I woke from my haze. Life seemed out of focus–in black and white. Then the rich crimson entered me and I was endlessly strong. Fast. Aware.
The humans who had seen me end many that day had assumed it was an acute form of PTSD from the war.
I was rampaging through France when Paragon had found me. Ordered rather than told. Commanded rather than asked. The members of the elite mortals were stronger than I ever had a hope of being and much older. Then had captured and lectured me. They did not care whom I killed, only that I did not get caught. I could walk this earth doing as I pleased as long as I did not make the mortals aware.
That and I would present myself when summoned. As all immortals would. There was no negotiation. When you were needed you came. I hadn't been needed in ten years but that could change in a second. A single phone call. One I was always ready to answer.
There was a knock on the door and I flinched in the seat.
I swept my hair over my head and walked to the door. When I opened it a maid dropped me a bob and a smile–staring in slight shock at my face and damp clothing.
"Ms Demarcus–you requested some clothing?" She cleared her throat and cut her eyes down to the wrapped clothing in her arms.
I gave her a quick smile and accepted it with thanks. She turned to the opposite room before I cut in stopping her from knocking.
"I will take that for her."
The maid spun of her heel startled and nodded again with a flustered smile. I watched her return down the hall quickly before closing the door and throwing the clothes over the chair.
I tore off my shirt and threw a fresh navy one over before buttoning it and moving to replace my jeans. When I finished I took Quinn's and left the room with a deep breath. I had my senses under control and I was ready to explain our new ground rules firmly.
I knocked. Waiting and glancing back down the modern, dimly lit hall.
I frowned when a number of seconds passed and tried again. Of course she had the damn key card for her room. I debated breaking it but decided against it.
I picked up my phone again and dialled her.
She answered on the fifth ring.
"Detective?" She said easily, to the sound of voices in the background.
"Where are you?" I demanded, pacing towards the lift already.
"Relax yourself, Fletcher. I went shopping, I need some new clothes–"
"You–I already got you clothes." I stated, pinching my nose.
She scoffed and laughed. "We have difference senses of clothes and besides I think it was best I gave you some space."
I frowned as the lift opened and stepped inside. "Tell me you didn't use a credit card registered to London–"
"No super spy, I took some of the cash you charitably left inside that duffle bag." I practically heard the smirk in her voice.
I made my own lips twitch in response. "Blown it all already?" I drawled, entirely unbothered.
"Would you mind if I did?" She asked playfully.
"I wouldn't give it a second thought." I responded easily. "I'm just curious as to what you purchased."
The lift opened and I paced through the main marble lobby.
"Well you can find out by meeting me at the Marina." She finished, as I heard more voices and a confirmation of payment. I rolled my eyes as I stepped outside into the heat.
"I'll see you soon, Adams. I'm sure I'll notice you from a mile away." I ended the call and flagged down the valet who gave me a bright smile and made the call to send for that beautiful Aston.
* * * * *
When I pulled up to the Marina docks nestled beneath surrounding skyscrapers the sun had disappeared. The buildings were lit up like beacons and the palm trees swayed also softly lit in the night.
I opened the door swiftly and leant against the side of the charcoal grey car watching people walk slowly between restaurants and the line of the water. The temperature was warm and not stifling and the atmosphere inviting.
Then I saw something much more inviting.
She walked with the same elegance she had in the top law firm in London. Her eyes were raised to the tall buildings around us and a pair of black Raybans were pushed up into her hair. She now wore a light, floating skirt past her knees and a high sleeved black shirt over her body. She was magnificent in anything but she knew what complimented her too.
I caught the roman inspired sandals on her feet and smirked.
I remained against the car watching her eyes finally drop from the buildings and land directly on me like she knew I was there already.
She grinned and my blood cooled. I returned her look with a slow smile and she moved a few shopping bags over to one arm and threw me a mocking salute as she approached.
"May I offer her majesty a lift?" I asked dripping irony.
"Well, it's true I do look the part."
I rolled my eyes and opened the passenger door for her. She gave me a knowing smile over the door that made my heart race despite the stern conversation I had planned out in my head. She stepped inside the car and I shut the door before taking a deep breath.
"Keep it together for gods sake." I muttered to myself.
I walked around to the driver's seat as Quinn pushed the bags down below her feet. Then she turned to me as I tried to speak.
"I–" she paused and waited for me.
I shook my head and gestured for her to go.
"I just wanted to say..." She sighed and watched me more intently with those burning green eyes–had her skin got more tanned in a day? I thought as I scanned the smooth lines of her face–
"–I was completely out of line pushing you like that earlier and it won't happen again–unless of course–you start it first then all bets are off." She chuckled breathlessly glancing at me while her face flushed.
I took my eyes off the attractive pink on her cheeks and pulled the car out of the space and towards the road. Then I cut her a look carefully and nodded.
"I don't want you to think I didn't want... because I did." I got out, looking back to the road. "It's just that there are no guarantees on my control–"
"I understand that better now." She interrupted, pushing her sunglasses back on her head and leaning against the seat to watch me. "But I'm going to be much more considerate of what situation it puts you in." She clarified.
I looked at her gratefully now and gave her a half smile.
"It would make life easier not wanting to kill you."
"Among other things." She murmured with a smirk.
I sighed and tightened my hands on the wheel. "And she ruined it." I muttered.
She pushed my shoulder lightly and I smiled before pushing the accelerator firmly and making her suck in a surprised and excitement. I sent the car past others and wove us onto the open highway quickly.
"Do we need to be somewhere?" She asked breathlessly as I punched the speed higher.
"Actually, yes. We're on a flight tonight." I said evenly, taking us closer to the hotel.
She looked at me quickly to see that I was serious.
"And do I get to know the destination this time?"
"Nope." I smirked, weaving through more taxis and giving Quinn's heart a mini attack.
She shook her head and leaned against the seat with a smile.
"I actually don't mind the surprise thing." She bounced a leg and stared up at the buildings flying past us again. "Today I just got a new wardrobe in a country I just arrived in with cash." She chuckled.
"I'm glad you approve. Shopping isn't the only thing you can do where we're going." I murmured, watching the wide road.
She cut me a flat stare.
"You can't just tease me like that and not expect a question." She stated.
"Ask."
"What continent is it on?"
I shrugged with a smile. She pouted.
"You just said ask."
"I didn't say I would answer."
She shoved me again and I grinned pulling back into fifth gear. The car shot forward faster and Quinn quickly shrunk back into the seat with a quick apology. I laughed and dropped our speed to something that was almost reasonable.
"So many secrets." She muttered.
I glanced at her and she caught my eyes briefly as a highway light hit the side of her face and lit up her eyes. I dragged my eyes away quickly and focused on the road. I heard her pulse pick up that much faster but didn't need to comment on it. There was too much between us in those glances that went unsaid but spoke volumes. An unquantifiable connection and attraction.
We just needed to keep it in check.