Burn (Dark in You 1)

“Of course you have a private jet,” Harper said dryly. Didn’t everybody?

As Knox guided her inside, she saw that the interior of the sleek black jet was just as impressive as the outside. She should have guessed the rich bastard would have his own plane. Sinking into a gray leather reclining seat that seemed to mold itself to her body, she happily accepted some refreshments from the animated stewardess.

Opening a can of Coke, she said, “Okay, I’ll admit, this is seriously cool.”

Sitting opposite her with only a walnut table between them, Knox briefly peered up from his phone. “Glad you think so.”

Tanner and Levi had taken seats in a separate cabin at the other end of the jet, giving Knox and Harper plenty of privacy. Watching as Knox’s fingers moved furiously over the screen while his face was set into a mask of concentration, she said, “A bit of a workaholic, aren’t you?”

“There are worse things to be obsessive about.” He’d no sooner put his phone away than the aircraft began to move. “Why didn’t Jolene want to travel with us?”

“She thinks you and I should have plenty of ‘alone time’ to get to know each other the way anchors should.”

“She’s right.” Knox twisted his mouth. “So…if you don’t date demons, does this mean you’re celibate or that you stick to humans?”

He had a way of totally throwing her by shooting random questions. She had a feeling that was exactly why he did it. “What does it matter?”

“I want to know.” As her mouth set into an involuntary pout, he smiled. “You really do hate personal questions, don’t you?”

“It’s something we have in common.”

He inclined his head. “All right. How about an exchange? You answer my questions honestly, and I’ll do the same for you. Nothing too invasive.” The latter words were both an assurance and a warning.

If he was anyone else, the offer wouldn’t have at all appealed to her. But the guy was such an enigma that he had her curiosity well and truly roused. It was frustrating that he had the very same effect on her libido. While she believed it was better not to know what he was, she couldn’t help but want to know. “Fine. To answer your earlier question, no I’m not celibate. I only date humans.” He narrowed his gaze at that. “Now it’s your turn to answer a question.”

Her eyes were daring him to back down. Knox didn’t. “Ask.”

“Does anyone know what you are?” He was silent for so long she didn’t think he was going to respond.

“Only my sentinels,” he finally replied. “Do humans totally satisfy you and your demon?” He didn’t expect her to answer that, but she surprised him – as always.

“No,” she reluctantly admitted. “Are you really as brutal and unforgiving as everybody says?”

“Yes.” If that answer scared her, she didn’t show it. “Are you at all afraid of me?”

“Sometimes.” She was afraid of her body’s response to him, and she would be dumb if she wasn’t at least a little unnerved by something so dangerous. “Why are you secretive about what you are?” Because that could give her a clue as to just what he was.

“Our kind fears me enough as it is. They don’t need an additional reason.” He drummed his fingers on the armrest. “What do you think I am?”

“When I was coming up with a worst-case scenario, it crossed my mind that you could be one of Lucifer’s offspring.”

He laughed. “Lucifer keeps his offspring close; you should know that.” He tilted his head. “That’s the best theory you have?” If so, he was disappointed.

“That’s another question. I haven’t had a chance to ask mine yet. Are you a hybrid?”

He frowned. “There are no hybrids in the demon world.” Even cambions – demons that were half-human – were still classed as a demonic breed in their own right.

“I know, but stranger things have happened.” Like the fact that she was even answering personal questions.

He deliberately nudged her knee with his beneath the table. “No other theories?”

“None. Some think you’re some kind of super incubus. Don’t act like you don’t know the effect you have on people.”

“I’m not a…super incubus.” He smiled at her irritated look. She clearly didn’t like being in the dark about anything. “Why don’t you get involved with our kind?”

She arched a reproachful brow. “That’s a little invasive.”

“Asking me what breed of demon I am isn’t invasive?”

“Ah, but I didn’t ask you what breed you are. I asked questions that might hint at the answer. That’s different.”

“Okay, I’ll rephrase. Do you avoid getting involved with demons because one once hurt you?”

“No. How old are you?” She could tell he wanted to pursue his own line of questioning, but he didn’t push.

“Much, much older than you.”

She narrowed her eyes at his evasive response. “Can you really call on the flames of hell?”

“Maybe. Do you expect me to leave you, abandon you?”

That question demonstrated a perceptiveness she didn’t like. “Maybe.”

“I won’t.”

He didn’t say anything else, and she knew that was as much as both of them were prepared to reveal for now.