Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/Sentinel 1)

“Getting a towel since you denied me one.” He grabbed a towel from the rack and unhurriedly dried off.

“But..but..” she sputtered.

He sighed. “Let me guess, you thought you would keep me trapped in the shower by not handing me a towel or any clothing until I answered your questions, right?”

She looked guilty, but admitted nothing. “You owe me some answers.”

He wiped his face off. “Really and how did you come to this conclusion?”

“Because you stole answers from me! Now you owe me.”

He shrugged. “You’re welcome to sniff me.”

She gasped. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Well, that’s what I did so if we’re being fair that’s what you should do.” His eyes dropped to his still na**d form and then to her very clothed form. “Of course if we were being completely fair you would let me see you naked.” He wagged his eyebrows.

“I will not! You know what? I bet you didn’t get any answers from me. You just did that because you’re either a pervert or you’re trying to trick me into telling you things.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, that’s what I did. I tried to trick you into talking. Of course my leaving then kind of put a stop to that plan just like now.” With that he dropped the towel and stalked back to his room. She followed.

“You don’t know anything! You only guessed that I’m a virgin….” she gasped, “wait, you were in the bathroom tonight while Jill and I were talking. You didn’t guess. You heard!”

“I don’t have to go into the bathroom to hear what you say. I have perfect hearing as well.” He looked guilty though. She knew that look. It was the same look Jill and Joshua had when they got caught doing something bad.

She leaned against the wall, satisfied that she had him for once. “That might be true, but you wanted a closer spot. You were eavesdropping on me. Admit it, that's how you found out. You didn’t find anything out about me just by sniffing me.”

He threw her an exasperated look. “Fine, you want to play this game?”

“Yes,” she said firmly, straightening up from the wall.

Ephraim pulled a pair of underwear on. He really should walk around na**d to make her feel uncomfortable enough to leave, but she was starting to make him feel uncomfortable enough to hide his response to her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!” she stressed.

He sat down on the bed and leaned back on his elbows. She did her best to concentrate on his face and not his well shaped chest or abs. It would really help if he put a shirt on. “Aren’t you cold?”

“No, I’m fi-” He stopped talking and grinned hugely. “Is this bothering you?” He gestured to his stomach.

“What? No, don’t be ridiculous.” She sounded annoyed, but she was really embarrassed. How did he know?

“Then I see no reason to cover up since it doesn’t bother you,” he teased.

“You were going to tell me what you found out from smelling me.” She hoped it distracted him from her discomfort.

He sighed. “Okay, but remember you asked me to tell you. Very well then. From just smelling you I know that you showered an hour before you came down for dinner.”

She scoffed “You knew that already.”

“May I continue or are you planning on interrupting me continuously?”

She waved a hand in the air. “Continue.”

“You’re too kind,” he said dryly. “I know that you are wearing Calvin Klein perfume, but there’s still a hint of cucumber and melon body spray on your skin from this morning. You use Tide to wash your clothes and you were near someone today who smoked cannabis a week ago.” Her mouth dropped open.

“Also, in I would say in fifteen days your period is going to come. From the smell of your skin I suspect it will come in the early morning.” She felt her face flush. “I also know you are not on any type of birth control which means that you weren’t really considering sleeping with David any time soon which is a very good thing.”

“How do you know I wasn’t-“

“You’re responsible. I know how you feel about Candy’s sexual escapades and how upset you were about Jill’s mistake. You’re the type of woman who would start birth control the minute you even thought you might take a man to your bed.”

She bit her lip and very much wanted to leave the room, but she stayed. She wanted answers and this way he might feel that he owed it to her. “May I continue?”

“Yes,” she said quietly.

“Okay, I also know that David never laid a hand on you. I know he touched your breast from the outside of your shirt I would say two days ago, but that touch didn’t last long just like his kisses don’t last long.”

Her embarrassment forgotten momentarily she asked. “Wait, how do you know that? You smelled me from behind?”

Ephraim lazily scratched his stomach. “Messages travel over your skin. Think of it as a network. Anything that happens in front will be transmitted to the back. I only need to run the length of you to get my answers.”

“Oh…”

“As I was saying. You don’t like his kisses. From what I can tell you break off the kiss whenever he tries to invade your mouth. He grabbed your breast when he thought you were distracted. Very amateur.”

“Oh, and I bet you’re an expert?” she snapped.

He gave her a lopsided smile. “I’ll admit it’s been a while, but a man never forgets.”

“How long?”

He shook a finger at her. “No, we’re talking about you now, Madison. Let’s see, your skin…..ah, I also know that no man has ever touched you intimately.” He tilted his head to the side and studied her. “You’re a very strict date I take it.”

She nodded so he continued. “Good for you, especially now since it probably saved your life.”

Madison shifted uncomfortably. “What do you mean? What was wrong with him?”

He sighed. “Madison, he has HIV. You’re lucky that he didn’t win that bet.”

“Oh my god.” She felt breathless.

“You’re fine, Madison. I didn’t need to taste your blood to get my answer.”

“Are you sure? Cause if you need to,” she held out her hand, “you can take some just to make sure.”

He flinched back as if she struck him. “I’m not going to bite you!”