Stephanie touched my arm.
I flinched.
“Do I hurt you?”
“No.” I pulled away slowly. “I think it’s instinctual. Every time you touch me I shy away, not because it hurts, maybe it’s a deep rooted fear that all humans have, and now that I’m fully human…” I shrugged.
“Can I control you?” Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “Technically, a Dark One can’t come into contact with an unmated human without them going insane with desire, lust— I mean, why aren’t you…?” She blinked and then looked down. “I can’t believe I just asked you that.”
“Why am I not overcome with insanity in your presence?” I chuckled. It was nice to see her uncomfortable for a change.
“Yeah.” Her chest rose and fell with even breaths, and I concentrated on her breathing; it made me calm, counting every inhale, every exhale.
“I imagine Sariel wouldn’t think it fair.”
“Fair?”
I clasped my hands behind my back. “But you’re welcome to try.”
Stephanie rolled her eyes. “How do you know I haven’t been trying?”
“Because I’m alive.”
Her eyes widened. “So if I try, I kill you?”
“Possibly, who really knows?”
“No thanks.”
“Take a chance.”
“No.” She stepped farther away from me, her back colliding with one of the book shelves.
I pursued, nearly slamming my body against hers, not because I wanted to force her but because I couldn’t help the aggression pounding through my veins. When she retreated I wanted to pursue. I couldn’t help myself any more than I could stop myself from breathing.
“Where’s your sense of danger and adventure?” I taunted, pressing my hands to her cold arms. “Try.”
“I could kill you.”
“I’ll try not to die.”
“Oh,” she muttered and cursed under her breath. “How reassuring.”
“Do it.”
“No!”
“Oh, so you’re afraid.” I nodded mockingly, “Don’t think I’ve ever met a Dark One who experienced fear.”
Her nostrils flared. “Don’t push me.” The room temperature plummeted.
I arched an eyebrow then very slowly leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Chicken.”
It was immature.
I knew that.
She knew that.