He stayed close to my neck, exhaling against my skin.
I flinched, expecting a bite, but it never came.
Wait, was he . . . ?
“Stop!” I pushed on his chest and leaned backward. The blood that rushed to my cheeks was probably noticeable even in the dimmed light. I pulled my robe tighter over my body, aware of my immodest position.
“What? I could be selfish if that’s what you like,” he suggested, his fingers digging into my sides.
I winced.
He was not going to let me go.
If I have no choice but to be close, then might as well take advantage.
I leaned in cautiously, letting my hands slide down his chest.
Despite my prior prejudices, a heart was beating somewhere in there. It was impossibly fast. Counting the beats, I realized that it must have been around three hundred per minute. That might have been thought impossible, but as of an hour ago, I found that my stalker had some peculiar adaptations. It would have been more exciting if my discovery was not set on eating me.
As my hands crawled higher, I traced my finger hesitantly across his bottom lip, fearing he would bite.
“Open.” My lips hovered close as I moved my finger down to pull on his bottom lip.
He graciously complied, tracking every movement closely, like he was waiting to snap if I made any move that did not please him.
My index and middle fingers pushed past his lips, his tongue dancing around them.
The tongue split directly down the middle, producing two independently moving halves. They were flexible and coordinated as his tongue moved along my fingers. He let out a low groan as he sucked on them.
With haste, I hooked my fingers downward, forcing his jaw open.
“Where do you hide them?” I demanded, tilting my head to the side to get a better look. My other hand joined to push his head back.
The Creature pulled back and grabbed both of my wrists.
“What in God’s name are you doing?” A look of genuine shock cut through his charade.
“Don’t bring him into this. Show me where you hide your teeth. You can’t just show me something like that and expect me not to ask questions.” I pulled my wrists from his grip. “You promised me answers the other day. Youoweme.”
Nowhewas looking at me likeIwas the crazy one. His brows furrowed. “Fine, but no more fingers.”
He tilted his head back slightly and opened his mouth for me.
I would not mind him so much if he were always this obedient.
Both sets of fangs folded neatly against the roof of his mouth, similar to a snake. He let them flex forward, flush against his canines, matching his human teeth seamlessly when pressedagainst them. Two long pairs of perfectly deadly needles, though the outermost set was shorter and thicker. He kept his eyes on me, waiting for my reaction.
“You have front and rear accessory fangs. Like some sort of cross between a Viperidae and Colubridae,” I rattled off excitedly, running my finger along the larger needle, not able to hide a smile as my mind raced from theory to theory. “Are there more of you?” I whispered curiously.
His expression was serious as he searched my face, looking for some hint of my behavior being a jest.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” My eyes shifted between his, analyzing him back.
A low growl vibrated in his chest.
What is it now?
He lost his cocky edge and was dangerously steady.
