There was just something unusual about him. Inhuman, almost. But that was ridiculous.
He straightened. “What is this device?”
Her phone buzzed in her pocket at that moment, but she ignored it. “It’s a sewing machine.” How could he not know that?
With narrowed eyes, he glanced at the row of mannequins. “Why do you have statues of headless females?”
A startled laugh burst from her. “They’re mannequins. I use them for designing clothes. Haven’t you seen them in store windows before?”
His expression cleared as understanding dawned. “I have. I understand. You’re a clothing maker.”
“Exactly.” She was still surprised he hadn’t put it together with one look at the room. “I make clothes for plus-size women because I could never find stuff I liked in my size.”
His eyes trailed down her body, and the heated look in them made her cheeks burn and her stomach flutter. “I like your size.” Her heart skipped a beat at his growly voice.
Negative Lily was trying to claw her way back out of the box to whisper hateful things.He might say that now, but just you wait. Give him a couple months, and he’ll start telling you to go on a diet like the last guy you dated.
Mist was still staring at her, but her attraction and arousal were being diminished by the stupid self-deprecating whispers, and she needed a moment to collect herself.
“I’ll go pour us some wine!” She fled the room.
Her phone buzzed again before she reached the kitchen, so she pulled it out and read the texts from Iris.It’s a signal ward that warns you if you’re in the presence of supernatural beings. Why are you asking that right now?
The second message told her she’d better not delay replying any longer.Did something happen? Are you okay? Answer me right now or I’m coming over.
That tiny whisper of wariness flared again, but she pushed it away. Instead, she rolled her eyes at Iris’s paranoia and fired back,No, don’t come. I asked because the ward is red, but I thought it was black before. I’m obviously imagining things. Please don’t panic because everything is fine. Gotta go!
Deciding she was done catering to her sister’s overprotectiveness, she put her phone on silent and tossed it on the counter. Then, she opened the cupboard with the glasses and rose onto her tiptoes to reach for the top shelf—
She froze, feeling a presence behind her.
Mist.She hadn’t heard him move. She couldn’t even hear him breathing, and yet there was no question that he was there.
Her heart slammed against her ribcage as she slowly lowered to her flat feet, quest for wine glasses forgotten.
“You scared me,” she said.
Rough fingertips swept the hair off one side of her neck, and she nearly fainted.
“You should never run from me.”
His voice was nearly a whisper, yet it never lost its husky growl. It came from right behind her, so close she knew that if she leaned back but an inch, they would touch.
“It is difficult to fight my instincts with you.”
“W-what instincts?” Her breathing was choppy, and her eyelids fluttered.
“To hunt.” His fingertips brushed her hair back again. “To capture and subdue.”
She swallowed.
She felt his warm breath against her skin moments before he pressed his nose to her neck. This time, she could hear the deep inhale he took.
He wassmellingher. It was animalistic, inhuman, and yet… the muscles in her lower abdomen clenched with a sudden wave of arousal.
“I find your scent… intoxicating.”
She gripped the edge of the counter and squeezed to keep from falling over. Oh god, this was crazy, but she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to spin around and press against him and be kissed senseless.
