Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

He frowns, his brow creasing to emphasize his exhaustion with my constant little stabbing reminders of his past attacks.

"All you can do is trust me, Alyssa. I can't prove anything to you until you trust me enough to open up."

I won't give him the chance to prove himself wrong. I know better than to think people will be accepting. I've heard his view on my father. I'm not going to have him look at me the way he looks at Drackus.

"Let's focus on one set of problems at a time. We'll start with the blond bitch playing with fire."

To add a little drama to that, I use my magic to light all the candles in the kitchen, making Kane laugh lightly while releasing his hold on me.

"We could have a lot of fun once you're immortal, Alyssa. Think about that," he says while walking off.

"Hey, whoa. What is that supposed to mean?" I chirp while following behind him.

"You won't be so fragile then," he says with a devious smile as he turns to walk backwards, his eyes daring me to play. I blush slightly, and he continues, "Plus, once you're immortal, your blood won't be addictive, which means you could taste poison's kiss all you want. I think we both know you like the bite."

My body heats up and the mirror offers me a view of the random shades flipping through my eyes. Kane gives me a devilish wink before sitting down on the couch. Something tells me this is going to be a long day.

Chapter 20

The Prey Fights Back

Dice walks down the stairs, looking refreshed and leathered up. I laugh as he squeaks with each step - his leather grinding together.

"Do you own anything in your wardrobe that isn't leather?" I tease while shutting the book in my lap.

"Nope. I'm too sexy, love. I have to show it off."

I laugh at his candor now, considering the oaf sort of grew on me after saving my life.

"Where's Kane and Zee?" he asks while sitting down across from me.

"I'm right here," Zee chirps while walking in from the kitchen, holding two steaming cups in his hands. "Kane is sleeping off his all-nighter."

He hands me a cup of hot tea, and I offer my gratitude by sipping it happily and greedily, reveling in the warmth it brings me.

"Did you cut down my heat?" I ask the incubus while narrowing my eyes at him.

"A little. It was blazing hot in here," he says while leaning back, sizing Zee up for some odd reason.

Perhaps he's into men as well as women?

"A little?" I chuckle out. "It's forty-two degrees in here. To a mortal, that's cold. It'll take my house at least an hour to warm back up."

"Forty-two is a feasible temperature. Thirty-two is freezing, so I'm not sure I understand the problem."

I just laugh while shaking my head, and Zee - someone who has been mortal recently - understands completely where I'm coming from.

"Dude, you're creeping me out looking at me like that," Zee adds with a freaked-out tone.

Dice just laughs while leaning back, and then his eyes shift to me. "I've got an idea. You trust this night stalker, don't you?"

I shrug, glancing toward Zee. "Sure. Why?"

"I want to test my theory. See if you can withstand his powers of subduing."

It seems harmless enough. I know it's not possible, but if it'll appease the annoying incubus, I'll do it to shut him up.

"I'm game. Zee?"