“What are you doing, little monster?” he asked in a silky voice that would probably give me nightmares. “Why are you trying to shoot me with a crossbow?”
“Damn it, you’re fast,” she said through a constricted throat, breathing heavily. “I wasn’t trying to shoot you. I was armed in case someone was coming for Jessie.”
He didn’t let her up, his lips close to her ear. “Yet you pulled the trigger.”
“Because you rushed me, dipshit. What’d you expect me to do, stand there and get my throat grabbed and then pinned to the wall while Jessie just watched?”
“And yet…that is exactly what happened…”
“Right. But this way I got to shoot a hole in Austin’s house. I think he’ll be fine with it. That sort of thing probably won’t faze him, right?”
He shook his head a little before backing off, his face inches from hers as he retreated. Their eyes locked for a moment, her body loose and pliant within his proximity despite the apparent danger. Her lips fell open, drawing his notice, and he licked his.
“Should I do something?” I asked with a grimace. “I kinda fell asleep at the wheel there for a moment.”
Tristan blinked a couple of times, as though waking from a dream, before smoothly stepping back, his eyes glowing brightly. Nessa’s face was flushed.
“No, I think the little monster and I know where we stand,” he said.
“Yeah, I need to get way faster. Next time I’ll get you, pretty boy.” She waggled her finger at him before putting the crossbow back. “Now that I have you”—she pointed at Tristan—“c’mere and taste this.”
“You haven’t had me.” His voice was whiskey and fire. “I’m eager to rectify that.”
“Heh. Nice volley.” She motioned him on.
“Brochan and the second wave are en route,” Tristan said as he passed me. “Alpha Steele requests that you meet him dressed exactly as you are. I’ll escort you there. Natasha, we don’t have much time,” he called as he followed her.
Tristan wore trendy jeans and a T-shirt that had been specially made for gargoyles to account for the wings. And, for him, the shoulders.
“What happened to dressing nicely?” I asked as I followed them into the kitchen.
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask,” Tristan replied, stopping at the island and looking down at the lasagna Nessa had made. “Where’s the weird mage?”
“He’s out in the backyard working on a particularly nasty spell,” Nessa said, scooping some of the lasagna onto a plate. “You look like a guy who eats a lot. What do you think of this?” She handed the plate to Tristan before turning for a fork. “Austin seems to think he’s the best cook in the world, so before I challenge him, I want to make sure this lasagna is up to snuff.”
“All the things you could be doing and you’re challenging the alpha to a cookoff?” Tristan said, before taking the fork and dutifully sampling a bite.
“I need to take breaks, and what better way to enjoy myself than rubbing the alpha’s face in my superiority?” She smiled at him, watching his mouth as he chewed.
“And you didn’t have Jessie taste it because…” Tristan glanced at me before taking another bite.
“She doesn’t have a refined palate.”
“Dude.” I spread my arms wide. “I can hear you.”
“Jessie, my love, that shouldn’t come as a shock.” Nessa laughed as Tristan went for yet another bite, eating faster now. “Well?” she asked.
“You and the weird mage are supposed to stay in tonight,” he said, continuing to eat. “You’ll have gargoyles watching the house in case something should happen.”
“Fine, fine, but how is it?” She leaned closer to him, her eyebrows raised.
He finished the plate in record time, now eyeing the dish that contained the rest.
“I’ll be back for more after I take Jessie into town,” he said. “I’d prefer it if you served it to me wearing a lacy teddy, but I’ll take it however you want to dish it.” He set the plate down and
motioned me out of the kitchen. “After you, alpha.”
“It’s good, right?” Nessa followed us toward the door. “Think it’ll wow Austin?”
When we got to the door, he reached up and yanked the arrow out of the ceiling. “It’s the best lasagna I have ever tasted, and yes, I’m a man who likes to eat. As far as wowing him, I couldn’t say.