He says that as if I won this conversation, but I get the feeling I was just run over and he’s hiding it by being nice.
“The more important question is, what are we going to do this afternoon?” Considine asked.
I reviewed his words, but my mind wasn’t as agile as I would have liked given I really needed sleep. “Sorry, what?”
“This afternoon—after you wake up,” Considine said. He talked a little louder, as if I wasn’t tired but hard of hearing. “What are we going to do before our shift?”
“We?” I asked.
“Yes, we. Are you going to bake a new family concoction, or did you want to go out to eat before our shift?” Considine’s smile was charming. Too charming. “We could go to that curry restaurant with the cat you are so attached to.”
“You want to make plans with me?” I asked, feeling very much not in control of the situation.
“Yes,” Considine patiently said.
“Why? It made sense before when we were close friends, but what are we now?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Considine said. “It’s all for my seduction of you.”
Now I know I’m mishearing things.
“Your what?” I repeated.
“My seduction of you,” Considine repeated. “I’m going to charm you into having feelings for me.”
CHAPTER
SIX
Jade
My face instantly heated—I’m sure it looked like my freckles were all connected from the brightness of my blush. “W-what? You said you fancied…”
“You,” Considine helpfully added. “I fancyyou.”
“Yeah, that’s not… why do anything?”
He shook his head in mock disappointment. “Jade. You know me. I might bide my time, but I won’t sit around and accomplish nothing in the meantime.” He leaned in close, smirking when I squeaked. “I won’t push you beyond your comfort level. However, I am greatly encouraged that you’re blushing and not puffed up and angry.”
I backed up to give myself space to think. Vampire pheromones didn’t work on slayers, but I couldn’t seem to manage an intelligent thought when he was so close. “I’m still adjusting to the idea that we’re partners, Considine.”
Instead of following me like I feared he would, Considine tilted his head. “You don’t oppose the idea anymore?”
I hesitated. “I still don’t understand why you want to do this…”
“It’s because of you,” Considine helpfully said, which I ignored.
“But you listened to me inside the Cloisters and followed what I asked on the streets. I think we can make it work. But this?” I spread my hands wide and waved them in the air. “Romance—no, ‘fancying,’” I quickly corrected myself when I saw his eyes light up. “I don’t know how to handle it from a vampire, and I still don’t quite believe it.”
Considine narrowed his eyes. “You said you’d dated before.”
“Other slayers,” I plainly said. “Which, culturally, is way different. We had a base understanding of each other simply from being raised similarly. Most of the dates I went on were at training facilities or shooting ranges,” I said.
“We could go to a shooting range,” Considine said. “I love watching you handle your gun.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I rubbed my temples and tried to find the words inside my tired brain that would help me communicate just how crazy everything was.
Considine took a step toward me and set his hands on my shoulders. “You’re tired. We can table this discussion for later, but Jade?”
