">The joke was on him, then.
">With a shake of her head, she retreated to the kitchen to prep his coffee and feed the cat. Not wanting to deal with him at all, she took the coffee out to the porch and left, even more irritated to see he wore the necklace she desperately needed to steal.
">Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it from her pocket.
">Status? It was Jonny.
">She winced, unable to fathom what kind of penalty she'd face tonight. Xander killed Jonny's three goons and she was still clueless how to get the necklace.
">Super close - should have it soon, she lied in response. Tears pricked her eyes, but she forced them back.
">It was day three, and she was no closer to grabbing it. She needed a real plan. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Xander until he slid the iPad onto the counter she leaned against. She jumped and glanced down, spotting the picture Ashley had printed and posted all over the apartment.
">"What's on the schedule today?" she asked in the charged silence.
">"We'll see."
">"Okay. It's your career."
">He set his mug on the counter.
">She heard him messing with the coffee maker and turned. His back was to her, the large muscles moving effortlessly as he deftly prepped another pot.
">"So you do know how to make coffee," she said. "Can you cook?"
">"Yeah."
">"Like, really cook? Not just microwave stuff?"
">"Yeah."
">He started the coffeemaker and faced her, folding his arms across his thick chest. They gazed at each other.
">"Rough night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as the coffeemaker began percolating.
">"Very."
">She eyed him. "You didn't have a visitor last night."
">"No. I'm starving right now."
">"Why don't you…" She paused, noticing his fangs were out. "You don't exactly eat eggs and bacon for breakfast, do you?"
">"No."
">"Those women are more than sex."
">"Dinner," he supplied. "Sex is a bonus."
">She stared at him. "I'm talking to a real vampire."
">His gaze dropped to her neck, hunger flaring in his eyes. She covered her exposed skin with her hands. Amusement crossed his features.
">"Boundary," she said firmly.
">"I pissed you off last night," he observed.
">She pursed her lips without responding.
">"Hard to fuck someone over when there's a personal connection."
">"You involved my family on purpose?" she asked, anger rising.
">"You plan on stealing from me," he reminded her. "I offered you a way out. You decided not to take it."