What happened to the irritating, demanding guy? Not that Lizzie missed that guy. It was just a little overwhelming to have such a handsome man leaning over her rumpled and recently unconscious self. A handsome man with an unexpectedly decent sense of humor. Especially when she was staring deeply into his eyes…and her rear was planted on the floor.

He knelt in front of her, one knee on the ground, his face only inches from hers. She could have reached out with her hand and touched his cheek, he was so close. And she had an absurd desire to do exactly that. To run her hand along the hard line of his jaw. To rub her thumb over the stubble covering his chin. To touch her finger to his lips. Good lord! Her brain must be completely scrambled.

A point that was proven by the next thing out of her mouth. “Does this mean there are demons? And vampires?” What was her fascination with vampires and demons? Like magic books and werewolves weren’t enough? Well, anything that distracted her from touching John…

“Don’t answer that,” she said. She tried to take a deep, calming breath. And inhaled the smell of him. A clean, soapy smell, with just a hint of mint toothpaste and something spicy, maybe clove, filled her nose. She leaned against the foyer wall, tipping her head back. She needed a few more inches between them or she’d never manage a coherent sentence.

“No problem. Not filling your shock-induced brain with miscellaneous supernatural trivia, seems like a good plan. Besides, you’re not exactly yourself right now. We can save the questions for later.” John’s answer, combined with his calm demeanor, left Lizzie with the distinct impression that she wasn’t having the same effect on him, that his closeness, his almost smile, and his clean, minty-clovey smell, were having on her. Gah. Get a grip, girl.

Still kneeling next to her, he peered closely into her eyes. “Are you all right to try to stand up, or do you need another minute?” At her nod, he heaved Lizzie to her feet. Embarrassing, yes, but heaving was happening. She even made an oomph sound. Lovely.

“How do you know what’s myself?” Okay, that didn’t come out right. But, apparently, it was clear enough for John to understand and raise an eyebrow over. “You win. I’m not myself. Why am I standing up?”

“Because you’re going to the living room, where you will lie quietly on the sofa and not pass out again.” At which point he nudged her none too gently in the direction of the living room.

“Aren’t you super strong, or something? Couldn’t you just have toted me to the sofa before I came to?” Her vision was a little swimmy, and she suddenly decided that it would be nice to be on the sofa.