"Not like that," he snapped indignantly. "I mean… I never—"
"Give it up, Greek man. You've already drifted out to sea and are drowning fast."
Alexion should have been angry and appalled by this turn in their conversation, but he strangely wasn't. It had been countless centuries since anyone had teased him like this. He had to give her credit, she was swift and intelligent.
He watched her as she ate the popcorn. "Why is that white?"
"How many questions are you going to ask me?"
"I was only curious. And given how many questions you've asked me, it's only fair that I return the favor."
"Yeah, well, you don't have to do it in the middle of my movie." She sighed as she raked her hand through the popcorn. "It's always white unless you put stuff on it." She held the bowl out to him. "Want some?"
"There's no need. I can't taste it," he reminded her.
"It's air popped without butter or salt. There's not much to taste, but you can feel the texture of it, right?"
He supposed. Reaching out, he took a small handful and ate it. True to her prediction, it did feel odd in his mouth. It was crunchy and light. "Why do you eat this if it has no taste?"
"I like it. It's good for you."
"You're immortal. Nothing foodwise is bad for you."
She gave him a menacing glare. "Would you just watch the movie?"
Danger was a bit stunned when he shifted so that he could sit beside her on the couch. He also continued to eat her popcorn. It was really odd to have someone here with her. Not even Keller shared her late-night/early-morning movie. It was something she'd always done alone to unwind after her duties. There wasn't a great deal of Daimon activity in Tupelo. Most DarkHunters got rather testy when they weren't busy, but she kind of liked it.
So she spent many nights at home alone with her DVD collection or on the phone talking to other female DarkHunters. Her favorite ones to talk to were Ephani, who was a local Huntress and Zoe, who had just been moved to New York City. Both of them ancient Amazons, they had some interesting takes on how to treat men.
Most of which involved whips, chains, and handcuffs.
Alexion's hand collided with hers as they both reached into the bowl. She was still surprised by the coldness of it. No wonder he kept his coat on.
"Why are you so icy?" she asked.
"I'm cold?"
"Like a corpse."
"Oh," he said, as if he really weren't aware of the fact that his body temperature would rival an ice cube's. "Well, I am dead."
"So am I, but I have a pulse and some warmth." Which gave her a strange idea. Taking his wrist into her hand, she realized that he didn't have a pulse.
She swallowed as he watched her. "Why don't you have a pulse?"
No sooner had the question left her lips than a heartbeat started. His skin actually warmed while she held on to it.
Dropping his hand, she shot to her feet. "That ain't right. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I didn't mean to offend you," he said honestly. "The only one who touches me is Simi and she's cold too. I didn't think about what my skin would feel like to you or I would have warmed it up first."
She was completely confounded by his words. He could control his heartbeat and body temperature? That was unheard of. "How do you do that?"
"I think it and it happens."
Danger sat back down and reached out to touch his face. It felt like any other man's face. Granted, his skin was warmer than before, but it still wasn't quite the temperature of a normal human.
His dark whiskers were rough against her palm, prickly, and it sent a foreign ache through her.
He closed his eyes as if savoring the feel of her hand on his skin. He turned his face ever so slightly in a gentle caress. When he opened his eyes, the deep-seated hunger in his gaze almost frightened her.
Before she realized what he was doing, he dipped his head and captured her lips.
Her first inclination was to pull back and slug him, but there was another part of her that sparked to his gentle kiss. And it was gentle. Tender. It was a lover's kiss and it set her blood on fire.
She could only barely remember the last time she'd slept with a man. One-night stands had never appealed to her. Well, that wasn't exactly true. For a brief time, when she had first become a DarkHunter and learned of her freedom from disease and pregnancy, she had explored her sexuality.
But that hadn't lasted long. Since DarkHunters were forbidden to develop romantic relationships, it left her with nothing but sex. And sex without some kind of mutual caring wasn't fulfilling to her.
She pulled back. "I'm not an easy lay, Alexion."
He actually smiled a real smile at her. It was charming and unexpected. "I am."
Shaking her head, she laughed at him. "Most men are."
Alexion didn't respond to her comment. How could he while his body and lips were still burning from the sensation of her mouth on his? That woman had a tongue that set every fantasy in his mind alive. It made him wonder what else she did well along those lines…
"If you change your mind, Danger…"