Page 13 of A Velvet Kiss After Dark

Kane winced. He didn't know whether to laugh or eat the food. "How do you know that?" Hell, he didn't know any of that shit and he was the werewolf.

That cocked eyebrow rose even higher, an imperious look. "I am a journalist, Kane. It's my job to know the facts. You'd be surprised at what I know."

"Would it please you if I ate this food?" Honestly his stomach grumbled for more. He was hungrier than a bear coming out of hibernation, but her previous "insult" had rattled him.

"As a matter of fact, it would."

His gaze flicked over her mouth, wet from licking her lips, and he nodded absently. "For you? Anything."

He experienced the joy of watching her blush. The confident expression on her face fading back to that insecurity he'd seen all-too often. He didn't mind the mousy Tabitha; but he had to admit, the confident one really grabbed his attention.

He devoured the food she'd made. Stacks of hot packages, salty fried pork strips, greasy sausage links, a pile of scrambled eggs and toast to boot. He didn't bother filling the milk in a glass, he just grabbed the jug and chugged half of it straight from the bottle. When she merely grinned, he smiled back at her.

She looked away quickly, that flush coloring her pretty cheeks. And pretty she was. Small, pretty, and with a femininely fragile body that made him hard to imagine learning all of her curves and peaks. What would her breasts look like? What kind of panties did she wear?

Abruptly, she stood and began washing dishes. She was tense and avoiding eye contact.

"A penny for your thoughts," he offered playfully.

She sucked in a breath. He heard it clear as day, even over the running water. "Yeah, right," she muttered. She didn't realize he could hear her, but he did.

Louder, she responded, "It'd take a lot more than a penny to get me to talk."

Just what would it take to get her to talk? To expose her deepest, darkest… or naughtiest secrets to him? He yearned to know all of them.

But, again, he didn't know exactly why. She was fascinating, yes. Sexy, fuck yeah. But why the need to enclose proximity between them?

He finished his plate, lost in his thoughts, then sidled behind her. He wasn't even trying to be stealthy, yet she was so lost in her thoughts, she hadn't felt or heard his presence.

"I'll do this."

She jumped, bumping back into him. In frustration, she growled, spun around and smacked him right over his wound from yesterday.

He flinched. More from muscle memory than anything. It hadn't actually hurt.

Eyes wide, her hands flew over her mouth, astonished. "Oh my god! Did I hurt you, let me see?"

She peeled his hands away and eyed and gently prodded his skin. He swallowed tightly at the feel of her soft fingertips tracing over his skin. His body reacted, responded, and ignited at her simple touch. Yet, she had no apparent idea of the effect she had on him. That if she but gave him permission, he'd be inside her in a heartbeat, swallowing her cries as he made her soar higher and higher.

"You heal fast. It's remarkable." She hunched over to get a closer look. Muscles in his abdomen flexed and tightened. He wished he had a clean shirt to put on. For some damned reason he felt… vulnerable. How laughable was that? Ridiculous! He couldn't recall ever feeling vulnerable around a woman. Let a lone a human.

A human who wore white leggings with a black skirt over and a fitted pink shirt. She had cute written all over her.

She poked the wound with inquisitive fingers. "It truly doesn't hurt at all?"

Hard swallow. "Not at all," he gritted out between his teeth. He struggled to stifle his lust for her. He wanted her hands to touch him everywhere. To explore unbidden. Would she? If he asked her?

Why did he get the feeling he wasn't her type? And why did that piss him right the hell off?

"Hmm. It's really fascinating. I would probably have been bed-ridden for a few months, honestly. With constant medical care, medications, interventions, surgeries, stitches. Not to mention a mega hospital bill. And hear you are, standing up, skin completely regrown. You look as good as new." Shaking her head in amazement, she stood back up and peered up at him. Only to freeze.

"What?" she whispered. Her eyes widened at his expression.

Eyes so bright they emanated from her face like beacons. She had the large, almond-shaped lids rimmed in kohl, but even without the added glamour, her eyes were stunning. She was stunning. Mouthwatering.

His brain synapses backfired and exploded on a continuous loop. KISS HER, his brain commanded. Sound idea, he agreed. But after last night's dismissal, he hesitated. Would she welcome his attentions or would he be denied again? He didn't know if he could withstand a second round of blue balls so quickly.

Plus, he didn't want her spooked. He wanted her…needy, wanting. Wet. His cock throbbed to be inside her, sliding back and forth; blood rushed through his veins like volcanic lava.

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