Demonically Tempted (Frostbite 2)

Kipp grunted. “Touch him, Tess, and I swear I’ll lose it.”

I peeked sideways at Kipp. Tension radiated off him, and his lips were in a firm line. I had no intention in pissing off the man I loved. “Sorry. Not going to happen.”

“Tess,” Max chastised.

Dane’s brow furrowed. “I’m here to help you, nothing more.” He folded his arms. “What’s the problem?”

I glanced at Kipp awaiting his answer since I wasn’t the one with the problem. Sure, I had no idea what Dane wanted to look for, but I couldn’t deny that Max was right. Having more answers about my ability did intrigue me, and finding another person who was like me was a relief. Could someone truly understand what I went through?

After a long pause, and Kipp’s on-going stare-down of Dane, as if he wanted to poltergeist him, I waved him on. “Well…”

Kipp glowered. “I don’t want him to touch you.”

I rolled my eyes. Instead of continuing with the ball-bashing, I focused on Dane and sought answers. “Why do you want to hold hands, anyway?”

He shrugged. “Discover more about you, is all. My abilities are stronger through touch, so I’ll sense things in you that would take a very long time to explain with words.”

I nibbled my bottom lip. “What exactly do you want to sense?”

“Your gifts,” he replied, cool and collected.

?

??I have no idea what your problem is, Kipp,” Max interjected. “But I went to great lengths to get Dane to come here and talk to her.” He looked hard at the chair that Kipp sat in. “You will allow her to do anything he wants.” He sent that look Dane’s way. “Within reason, of course.” His glare returned to Kipp, tone lowered. “He’s here to help her and that, is a direct order.”

Kipp sighed, so deep, his jaw clenching. “I don’t like him.”

I studied Dane, who looked bored, and couldn’t see what the problem was. Was Kipp jealous? Dane might be attractive, but I had my own sexy beast of a man. Had I shown an attraction to Dane? I didn’t think so. And Dane hadn’t shown any to me either. His only interest seemed to be all about helping me. Nothing more than that.

Regardless of Kipp’s hesitation, an order was an order. Dane held his hand out, and I placed mine in it. The second Dane closed his hand, my eyes fluttered closed, and Kipp cursed.

A surge of energy soared from my arm and sent tingles right down to my toes. It sped through me so fast, my breath whooshed out, and I shivered.

I snatched my hand away. “What was that?”

“What was what?” Max asked.

I rubbed my hand, willing the sensation away, but shivered. “He made me tingle.”

Zach’s eyes widened.

Before he could either laugh at how that sounded, or be pissed off for Kipp, I added, “Don’t go there. I didn’t mean it in how you’re taking it, pervert. I meant like a weird buzz in my body.”

Dane smiled and dropped his hand onto his lap, but stretched his fingers out as if the feeling affected him too. “It’s a joining of energy, that’s all. If you were more aware, you’d know this.”

I scowled at the curtness of his tone. “Excuse me?”

Kipp stood from his chair in a flash, strode over to Dane, and glared at him. “Yes, explain yourself.”

Dane snorted, clearly not seeing him, but the little smile that quirked up his lip indicated he felt Kipp’s disdain. “All I’m saying is that my being here is important. You are remarkably gifted, and yet you know nothing of the abilities you hold. It’s a waste.”

Kipp leaned away. “This guy is a fucking asshole.”

I turned to Kipp and nodded in agreement before looking at Dane. “You can tell me more about my gifts?”

A twinkle hit Dane’s gaze. “There are reasons you have these gifts that are more important than your ability to talk to and…” He paused, his nostrils flaring, and something else crossed his features I couldn’t quite identify. “Whatever else you are doing with them.” All that tension fled and he carried on, “It will help you have a better understanding of ghosts, and the Netherworld, so you know what you’re up against.”

My mouth—once again—dropped open. Max wore a similar bewildered look to mine, even Zach and Eddie appeared dumbfounded. “The what world?”