His hair was brown, like the mud on my clothes, and much longer than Niko’s. “When’s the last time you washed it?”
When he kept staring at me, I realized the request had nothing to do with cleaning his hair. He wanted the intimacy of all that scalp massaging and close contact. I’d rather just dump a bucket of water over his head, but sensing that wasn’t what he had in mind, I decided to make the deal before he got specific.
“It’s a deal.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “How do you know I won’t deceive you to get what I want?”
I stepped closer. “Because you’re a Chitah, and your word is your bond.”
He inclined his head.
This was going to be a cakewalk. I rocked on my heels and smirked. “I’m a Vampire.”
Matteo’s nose twitched, and he suddenly pushed away from the door and loomed over me. He stared deep into my mismatched eyes, studied my flawed skin, and yet couldn’t seem to figure out why my words smelled like truth. “Say it again.”
My smile dimmed, and I repeated myself in slow words. “I am a Vampire.”
His canines punched out as he drew in my emotional scent. “You’re obviously not a Vampire. How do you do it? How do you say it with such conviction and belief that I can’t scent your lie?”
“Years of practice. Well? Time to pay up.”
“North,” he replied. “The lions are a two-hour walk, just past a stream.”
I grabbed my bag and reached for the doorknob, but he blocked it.
“You promised,” I reminded him.
That roguish grin appeared on his face. “Yes. I promised to tell you their location, but you didn’t ask me to let you go.”
I flung my hands out to blast him, but he gripped my wrists and held them tight.
“I can’t read your mind,” he said, squeezing my wrists, “but I can smell a spike in adrenaline faster than you can blink.”
“I’ll just wait until you go to sleep. Did you plan on holding me captive forever? It’s only a matter of time before we kill each other.”
He leaned close and bared his teeth. “I’m saving your life, female. Danger lurks in the dark woods.”
“Danger lurks in a woman’s anger.”
A laugh bubbled in his throat, and when it finally grew too much to contain, he tossed his head back and shook the room with the noise of it.
I turned away and mulled over my predicament. I wasn’t blind. Matteo knew the perils in these woods the same way that I knew the dangers of the city. I would probably get lost, and I had no way to fend off a lion attack in the dark. I needed him.
“Be my guide.”
Matteo strode away and settled at the table. He lifted his licorice and bit off another piece. “And why would I do that?”
“Because you’re a trading man, and I’m sure you can come up with a fair deal.” I approached the table and spun my chair around, straddling it. “I can pay you.”
He waved his candy in a circle. “What use do I have for money?” After swallowing his bite, he set down the licorice. “I haven’t spoken to a female in a long time. I want your company.”
I chuckled. “I’m the last person you’d want to keep you company. I’m not washing your hair, and I sure as hell don’t plan on cleaning your house or cooking your meals. Do you want to hear about all the men I’ve killed?”
With an enigmatic look, he sat back.
My social skills weren’t great, so I needed to figure out a way to get this guy to help me. Maybe through small talk. Matteo had long locks, and that made me curious. “I thought Chitahs only grew their hair long when courting a woman.”
His piercing gaze forced me to look away.
