"It was only for a few seconds."
Diego nodded, then pursed his lips. "What did you do with him?"
Damn, I'd been hoping he wouldn't ask.
"Do you really want to know? It wasn't...pretty."
Diego's face softened, and he took my hands in his, squeezing them tightly. "Tell me." He sounded almost eager as he said it, and I blinked, surprised. He didn't sound the least bit afraid or wary.
"I pulled him into the shadows...and I took him away from your home and left him there. Then I came back and took you to the hospital."
"Left him? As in inside the shadow?"
"Yes. He couldn't get out without me, and it was a spot where light didn't reach from anywhere, so the shadow wouldn't disappear. He died slowly."
Diego's lips parted in surprise, his face looking a little paler. I frowned. Had I finally scared him off?
Before I could say anything—not that I knew what I could possibly say to justify what I'd done—Diego threw himself at me, his arms clamping tight around my middle as he buried his face against my chest.
"Thank you," he murmured against my skin, and I held him close, pressing a kiss into his hair.
"You're welcome. I just wish I hadn't waited until he actually hit you to do something. I should've done it the first time he raised his voice at you."
"Maybe, or maybe that would've scared the shit out of me. I don't know. There's no point trying to rewrite the past, because we can't. I'm just glad you're in my life and he isn't."
"Me too."
I cupped his chin in my hand, my sharp nails pressing against his cheek. I was careful not to press too hard, though Diego didn't seem to care as he leaned into my touch.
"Your nails are like Pixie's," he mused, making me chuckle.
Before he could compare another part of me with his cat, I leaned down and pressed my lips to his, keeping the promise I'd made him before dinner.
Diego moaned as he reached up and slid his arms behind my neck, tugging me closer.
His lips danced against mine, so soft and plump, and I couldn't resist the urge to bite into the lower one, licking and sucking on it until it was red and shiny.
"Damn, Shade. Where did you learn to kiss like this?"
"Where didyou?" I shot back, since I couldn't very well admit all my knowledge came from the books my friends at the Sanctuary supplied me with. I was a centuries-old virgin, and that was one secret I refused to share with Diego.
Seven
Diego
Shade felt so goodagainst me, and I wanted to keep kissing him. If I could get away with it, I'd spend the whole night just making out.
Unfortunately, it was a school night, and I had work tomorrow. As much as I'd love to drag him to bed anyway, I couldn't afford to be half-present tomorrow. Being sleepy and blind on a busy street—or in a classroom full of eight-to nine-year-olds—was never a good idea.
With one last soft press of lips, I pulled back, our breathing harsh and the only sound in the otherwise silent room.
Pixie meowed, and I smiled as she rubbed against my leg, clearly annoyed I hadn't given her any attention for so long.
I ran my fingers through her silky fur, then turned my face toward Shade. "I have school tomorrow."
"I should go," Shade murmured, and I knew he was right, but I didn't like it. I didn't want him to leave.
"Could you...could you stay for a while? Just until I fall asleep?"
