“It’s you,” I breathed. “You’re real. Really real.”
His head tilted. “You asked me to show myself.”
I couldn’t help the nervous chuckle that came out. “I did, but I didn’t think you would. It’s been three days. I wasn’t sure… I thought maybe… no, never mind. You’re here now. That’s what’s important.”
“I was here earlier,” he said. “But I had to leave for a little while. I try not to leave you alone for too long. Anything could happen.”
My heart sped up, but not because of fear. “You’ve been watching me?”
“Watching over you,” he corrected. “What are you feeling? I taste sweetness.”
Did he taste emotions? “I guess I feel safe and maybe a little happy.”
He seemed to be considering my answer. The silence stretched between us, and I wasn’t sure what to say.
He finally spoke. “I’ve never made anyone feel safe before. I want you to feel safe. And content. And happy. You taste good when you feel those things.”
How do you respond to a statement like that?
Thanks, so do you.
I almost laughed. “I have your hoodie,” I said but didn’t move to get it. “I washed it.”
“You can keep it,” he said. “I’ve noticed you like to wear it.”
My face got hot at the comment. “If I asked, would you make yourself visible more often? Can you do it when other people are around, or am I the only one allowed to see you?”
“Anyone can see me,” he said. “But most don’t choose to.”
Well that was as clear as tax law.
“Does that mean we could go out somewhere together?” I asked. I thought maybe he could meet Jina, then I’d know I wasn’t crazy. I could still be making this all up.
“You wish to be seen in public with me?” he asked. “You want to be observed with me?”
He sounded cautious. Was he in some kind of danger?
“Are there people out there that might try to kill you?” I asked. “Are you in hiding from some kind of hunter?”
“There are no hunters of my kind,” he scoffed. “I’m an apex predator. No one is my match.”
I couldn’t help but grin at his arrogance. “Do you mind being seen with me? I’m only a lowly human.”
He must not have heard my teasing tone, because his answer was serious. “You are not a lowly anything. You are special.” I could’ve sworn I saw the tip of a snake-like tongue flick out from the hoodie. “No one tastes like you.”
I was going to need to ask him more questions about the tasting emotions thing. After a shot of something that gave me the courage.
I could have invited him back to my place, but Jina deployed on the USS Essex that morning. She wouldn’t be back for four days. I wasn’t afraid to be alone with him, but I really wanted to introduce the two of them to find out if shesawhim. Taking him to an empty apartment wasn’t going to work for a sanity-check.
“Can I take you out to dinner?” I blurted out. There was a diner not far away. The food wasn’t amazing, but it was cheap and open 24/7.
“You want to sit down and eat a meal with me?” he asked, sounding excited. I swore I saw his eyes glow a little brighter. “Like a date?”
“Sure,” I agreed. I liked the idea of going on a date with him. We could ask each other questions. If the servers looked at me like I was crazy, then I’d know I needed to check myself in somewhere! “There’s a place only a street over.”
He stepped up close and crooked his elbow. It took me a moment to realize he was offering me his arm! It was old-fashioned and charming.
“Let me grab my purse,” I said, touching his sleeve. “I’ll meet you outside.”
