Katie's Hellion

The intense sensation startled her. That a mass murdering demon was the only man she'd ever felt so comfortable with made no sense. She'd risked her life to rescue him because it was what good people did. After all, in his own twisted way, he'd tried to help her.

"I still don't believe you," she murmured. "There has to be another reason you chose me."

He said nothing.

"If you're hungry…"

…you should eat. She couldn't bring herself to say the words.

"Whiskey tastes like shit," he replied.

"Now who's whining?"

"Careful, little girl," he growled.

"You're not going to kill me. Might try to chew through my other arm. That hurt, Rhyn. You owe me for that. And for rescuing you twice."

"More fish?"

"You won't even apologize for my arm, will you?"

"You should've left me," he said.

"So you repay me for rescuing you by eating my arm."

"You can't face those things. You were a fool to follow me."

"I didn't follow you," she snapped. "I traveled through the shadow world, which is also how I got you back! You think I lugged your heavy ass for two miles?"

"You found your way through the shadow world on your own?"

His words were measured enough that she looked up.

"Got a problem with that, too?"

"It's as it should be."

She studied him. There was some satisfaction in his response, the first shred of positivity she'd heard from him yet. Their gazes locked, and she felt a different kind of warmth slide through her.

Could she really be sexually attracted to an immortal mass murderer of millions? It was not a stretch, not with his muscular body pressed against her and his rugged features so close. Even the liquid silver eyes that once terrified her were hauntingly beautiful, when not glowing like some hell-beast's. She liked his smell, his warmth, his strength…even his snarkiness.

She was crazy. There was no way a monster like him would ever be interested in his blood monkey!

He touched her neck, and she waited, assuming he'd take blood from her despite his distaste of alcohol. His thumb traced the line of her jaw lightly, and heat skittered through her. He lowered his head, and she bared her neck. Though his hot breath tickled her, he didn't bite her. The pad of his thumb traced across her lower lip. She closed her eyes, breathing growing shallow.