THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

guess we could do that.”
    Ainsley leapt up. “Good plan. I’ll go make your room ready.”
    Before either man could object, she fled the room, castigating herself as she went.
    Stupid, stupid woman.
     
    Delano’s forehead creased as he watched Ainsley rush off.
    “You heard all of that, I presume?”
    He turned back to Eli. “Enough.”
    “Well, buddy, it looks like you’ve got a free pass to date your way through the 514 area code, to see if there’s another chick out there who suits you better.”
    “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.”
    “I knew you would, but then again, I’m not the one you need to convince.”
    Delano massaged his forehead. “God, here I was worrying that having reverted to normal, I wouldn’t be able to…”
    “Float her boat?”
    “Eloquent as ever. But yes, basically. I’m still worried about it. But come to find out she thinks I might have changed my mind about her because I’m just a regular man again? I will never understand women.”
    “Well, I have every confidence you’ll convince her. But a tip, if I’m not overstepping?”
    Delano could use all the help he could get. “By all means.”
    “Ainsley isn’t looking for a superman, Del. She won’t care if you can’t run as fast as you used to, or jump as high, or bounce back from a bout of sex like an eighteen-year-old. She fell in love with you for the same reasons I left the army to follow you.”
    Delano lifted an eyebrow, pretending to misunderstand. “To kill rogue vampires?”
    Eli snorted. “Yeah, that was definitely an attraction for me, I’ll admit, but it’s not the one I’m talking about. Ainsley sees in you the same things I saw. Your dedication to protecting the vulnerable, your commitment to the greater good, your capacity for self-sacrifice in the name of your ideals. None of those things have changed just because the vampirism mutation has been reversed. Do you see me or my men lining up to leave your employ?”
    “I don’t know. Do I?”
    “Not unless you’re plannin’ on firing me. The world is an infinitely better place without Janecek in it, no mistake about it. But this war is a damn sight far from over. We’re not going anywhere.”
    Delano blinked rapidly. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, Eli.”
    “You’re welcome,” Eli said gruffly. “And here’s the thing, Delano: if you give Ainsley half a chance, she’s not gonna go anywhere, either.”
    Delano struggled with emotion. When he’d conquered its grip on his throat, he laid a hand on Eli’s shoulder. “Thank you, soldier.” Then he turned and left the room.
     
    Ainsley managed to dodge Delano for the rest of the day. She spent several hours with Lucy and Devon. Thankfully, as Delano had promised, Devon awoke with no memory of how her impromptu helicopter ride had ended.
    By noon, Ainsley succumbed to the need for a nap. When she arose three hours later, still slightly groggy, she discovered that Delano had also retired for his own nap. This business of moving from night to day was brutal, but she had more experience at it than most. Certainly more than Delano.
    Now, evening was upon her. And although she managed to evade Delano in the flesh, she was less successful at evading thoughts of him. Her face still burned with embarrassment when she let herself recall how she’d spilled her deepest fears to Eli. What must Delano think of her? She should have had that conversation with him, and no one else. But now, she just wanted to bury her head in the sand and pretend it hadn’t happened. Maybe he’d go along with that. He certainly had kept his poker face on when—
    A knock sounded at her door. “Ms. Crawford?”
    Recognizing Shalvis’s voice, she flew to the door. “What is it? Lucy? Devon?”
    “No, they’re all right, ma’am.”
    “Eli, then? Is he okay?”
    “He’s fine, ma’am. Back in his own quarters, too. The reason I’m here, the boss wants you to join him in the lab.”
    “In the lab?”
    “Yes. That was his request. As soon as you’re able.”
    God, her hair was a mess and she needed a shower. It was bad enough that Shalvis saw her like this. She inclined her head. “Thank you, Mr. Shalvis. Tell him I’ll be down in ten minutes.”
    “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll do that.”
    Ainsley closed the door and raced for the shower. Ten minutes later, she combed her long, damp hair back from her face and regarded her image in the mirror. The sheer foundation she’d applied helped hide the