Ash set the spoon down, picked up her mug, and sipped the steaming liquid. “After I finish this, you’re taking me back.”
He slipped his mobile back into his pocket, his focus back on her. “Not yet.”
“Why not?”
A hint of that irrepressible smile appeared. “Maybe I like your company.”
“Oh, sure.” With a mental eye roll, she snorted and sipped more tea. “You strike me as someone who always gets his way. Probably spoiled rotten as a child?—”
“Sullen.”
Ash lowered her cup. “What?”
“Grumpy.”
Oh.She bit her lip to keep from smiling. “I don’t believe that.”
He shrugged. “Youmust have been a fairy child. Perfect.”
“Hardly. Quieter. More unnoticed.” She really wished her adult life were the same as well. “Animals liked me better. Less judgmental.”
A soft chuckle, like he found some private amusement in her words. Ugh. He was having far too much fun at her expense. Her gaze slipped to his smiling mouth?—
Oh shit!Her breath tangled in her throat.
Fangs!
“Your teeth,” she rasped, taking a step back. “What the hell are you?”
“Not a vamp, for sure.”
That ridiculous taunt made her hesitate, but didn’t stop her mouth. “You’ve certainly got the teeth!”
“And you’ve got quite the temper.” He stepped closer, his presence filling the tiny space between them. “Dangerous combination with those powers of yours.”
“Says the man who apparently opens portals between countries,” she countered, fighting the heat rising in her face.
“I’m no?—”
“Oh, for God’s sake, I know your bloody nouns,” she bit out. “So, what are you? A sage with a love of arcade games, hiding out in this forgotten abbey and meditating your life away? How does that even work?”
A smirk appeared. He was too darn close—too darn hot—and apparently, didn’t understand what personal space meant? She scowled.
“If you want to find out,” he said softly, “stay awhile, and maybe I’ll tell you.”
“Yeah, that won’t work with me.” She rolled her taut shoulders. He might be maddeningly good-looking, but she wasn’t interested in a quickie or whatever he was after. “I have things to do. Now that this little tête-à-tête is over, I insist that you take me back.”
“Oh?” His eyebrow lifted in challenge. “You’re that eager to be burned, I see?”
“No, you bloody pumpkin head! I need to find someone.”
He blinked, then asked, “Who?”
She bit back a groan. He refused to tell her anything about himself, while she was fair game? “It’s none of your business.”
“Oh.” His shoulders slumped, that sexy mouth turning down. “The thanks I get after rescuing you from a blazing pyre.”
Seriously?
