“No, you aren’t. It’s just— You’re so damn honest. And even though you’re worried, you’re not frightened, which means a lot to me, but that also means your witch friend is right being worried about you, because when the instinct of self-preservation was handed out, you were clearly occupied with something else.”
Sammy stared at Dre wide-eyed. “So, you are dangerous?”
Dre’s answering smile was definitely predatory and sent a lustful shudder down Sammy’s spine.
“What does your gut tell you?”
“That you would look damn good in my bed.” The words were out before Sammy could think about or stop them. He cringed and felt heat infusing first his cheeks then his entire body. “Did I just say that out loud?” Sammy hid behind his palms.
“Oh yes, you did.” Dre’s voice sounded raspier, deeper than it had just moments before. Sammy risked a quick glance through his fingers and found the demon’s eyes had turned a deep crimson, which did some pleasant things to his nether regions. Sammy groaned. This day was getting worse by the minute. Through the narrow gap between his index and third finger, he saw Dre licking his lips with a tongue long enough to have Sammy’s entire body tingling.
“And I love it, because I’m thinking the exact same thing.”
Sammy shuddered. “This is only the second time we’ve met! We should be awkwardly trying to find out if our feelings are mutual, not discussing…matters of the bed. And Mavis said you’re dangerous!”
Dre grinned. “Oh, I am dangerous, Sammy. I’m known to play mean Halo matches, and men romanced by me are spoiled for everybody else.”
“You play Halo? Great, we should have a match, because I’m quite notorious myself. Wait! What do you mean, men? As in plural?”
At least Dre had the decency to look a bit flustered. “Uh, what I wanted to say was… You see, I’m a bit older than you…and, well, I’m considered a grown-up by my people…”
Now it was Sammy who had to fight against laughing out loud, and just like Dre, he lost the battle. Between hysterical giggles, he managed to say something. “I…know you’re older. I don’t expect you to be…uh, untouched. It’s just…the idea of you being with somebody else. I don’t like it.” The last words came out with more emphasis than Sammy had intended, and his face heated up even more. He groaned.
Dre touched his forearm lightly with his big hand, seemingly not sure if the gesture was welcome. Sammy wasn’t sure either, but his body operated on automatic and he buried his face in the crook of Dre’s elbow. A heavenly scent like ripe strawberries in the sun with a hint of dark chocolate wafted into his nose and Sammy calmed. He was almost sure he’d caught the same scent from Dre night before, but then again, his own body had had a rather ripe aroma and the abandoned building had reeked of all kinds of decay and rubbish. Dre landed his other hand on Sammy’s back, rubbing soothing circles between his shoulder blades.
“If it’s any consolation, I think we can now say our feelings are mutual, and I don’t think it could have been any more awkward. So how about we consider this part of the dating script dealt with and you tell me your favorite city.”
Sammy looked up, still unsure what he should think but too enraptured by Dre’s scent and the pleasant warmth that was spreading through his body from the places where the demon touched him to try and pull away.
“My favorite city?”
“Yes, honey. For our first date, I want to take you somewhere special.”
“We’re having a date?” Sammy had problems keeping up with Dre.
“We are. Unless you don’t want to go on a date?” The hint of insecurity in Dre’s voice melted Sammy’s heart.
“Oh, I so want to go! I just can’t believe this is really happening. I mean, you’re beyond gorgeous and I’m just…me.”
“Which is all I want.” Dre traveled his fingers down his spine, and for a moment, Sammy thought he would melt under the touch.
“Rome. I like Rome.”
Dre smiled encouragingly. “Have you ever been there?”
Sammy shook his head. “No, but I’ve seen La Dolce Vita at least twenty times.” He gulped. “It was my father’s favorite.”
Dre suddenly pressed Sammy flush against his hard, broad chest. “Then Rome it is. I’m sure you’re going to like it. I know some cool places there.”
“We’re going to travel demon-style?” Sammy couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice. Dre chuckled.
“Of course. I promised you. Remember?”
“You did.”
They were silent for a few moments, staring into each other’s eyes. Sammy noted that the crimson in Dre’s gaze had faded and been replaced by black. It took all his willpower to stop staring into the depths in which he could easily lose himself.
“So, you were looking for a manga?”
Dre shook his head like a kitten that had just gotten wet. He clearly had been lost in his own world as well. When he started to smile, Sammy had butterflies fluttering in his belly.
“Yes. I was told you’re the man to talk to.”
With some difficulty, they let go of each other. Sammy straightened and gestured toward the desk where his computer sat.
“Then let’s go over there and see what I can do for you.”
Chapter Four
Dre was nervous. He didn’t want to admit it, but there was no other explanation. Why else would he have changed his outfit three times already, still not satisfied with how he looked? He wanted to impress Sammy so badly that he almost didn’t recognize himself.
“Hey, big brother, why are you having a staring match with the mirror?”
Barion was leaning in the door to Dre’s bedroom. His brother had come over to his place when he’d heard about the date. Dre could understand. This was the first time in almost a hundred years that he was going on a date—and with a human to boot. After his last, disastrous attempt at a relationship, Dre had restricted himself to hookups, only to spare himself the pain of being cheated on. Why in the nine hells he’d thought trying to build a life with an incubus was a good idea, he couldn’t tell. Back then, he’d been so in lust that he’d had trouble remembering his own name. Only finding his so-called partner in bed with not one, but two other demons had finally opened his eyes. He’d tossed the horny fucker out on his hot ass and spent the next year licking his wounds. Like Barion, Dre yearned for a stable relationship with somebody special.
Looking at his brother, Dre could see that Barion was dying of curiosity about who had managed to get him to date again, but Dre had kept the information about Sammy and the details about the date vague. He loved his brother with all his heart, but he had no intention of giving him a chance to ruin the date with one of his well-meant interferences that always ended in chaos. He and Sammy needed some time alone before Dre would even think about introducing him to any family members.
“I’m not sure if I should wear this shirt or…” He tugged at the black silk shirt he was wearing while looking for the dark red one he had tried on before.
Barion shook his head. “If I wouldn’t know better, I’d say you’re actually nervous, Dre. And that can’t be. Can it?”