entertaining, and his liaisons would provide plenty of fodder for an interesting book. Well, at least I hoped they would.
“I can't sleep,” Knight complained as he reappeared in my living room, rubbing his eyes. Apparently, modesty wasn’t part of his vocabulary, and he strutted into my room practically naked.
“If you're looking for sympathy, you've come to the wrong person,” I said snidely. “I've had less sleep than you.”
He grimaced as he lumbered into the kitchen where he reached for a bag of ground Starbucks and poured some water into my Mr. Coffee-a cherished birthday present from Quillan. I decided to fight the urge to think of Quillan again and steered my attention back to Knight, who leaned against the counter, massaging the back of his neck as he waited for the coffee to run its course.
“And for Hades sake, put on some damned clothes.”
Knight chuckled as he performed isometrics on the edge of the counter until his muscles bulged, the show- off. “You appeared to enjoy rubbing your hands across my chest the other night.”
He was never going to let me live that night down. This was the sixth time he'd brought it up in the course of three nights and four days. “You talk about it so often, I think you’d like a replay.”
Knight grabbed a mug and poured his coffee. Not bothering with cream or sugar, he brought it to his lips and swallowed, the heat of the liquid apparently not bothering him. Hmm, another Loki trait? I felt like I should start keeping a log of all his abilities for future reference. He nodded. “Just say when.” I grumbled something unintelligible but was interrupted. “You must’ve thought about what it would be like,” Knight continued and gave me a promising smile.
I laughed and shook my head, standing up. I suddenly found myself tremendously fatigued. In all truth, I was exhausted. Not only by my lack of sleep, but the constant banter with Knight was equally draining. I started for my bedroom, imagining myself in the arms of Morpheus, when it suddenly dawned on me why he was becoming so sexual.
I smirked and stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. “You do realize what's going on here?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “No.”
I laughed, pleased to be the one still left untouched by the creature’s blood. Apparently fairies were immune to Kragengen blood. But the same couldn’t be said for Lokis. I took my time before explaining, enjoying every second of the fact that there was finally something I could hold over his head. “The creature is still in your veins, its…interests haven't dissipated yet.” “Its interests?” he repeated. My smile expanded. “It's sexual appetite.” He nodded and rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Could be.” He shrugged. “I definitely don’t feel myself.” “Yeah, no kidding,” I chortled. “What about you?” he interrupted, eyeing me lasciviously.
I shrugged, delighted with the conversation. In fact, I had to admit it was the best conversation Knight and I had ever had. “I feel just fine,” I said with a confident grin.
“Oh, is that so?” he asked facetiously, apparently annoyed he was the only one feeling the sexual bug.
My eyes rested on his fingers tapping against the coffee mug. “Don't get any ideas. I saw what turns that fiend on, and I'm not into sadomasochism.”
He smirked and placed the mug on the counter, closing in on me until I was backed up against the living room wall. “You should keep an open mind,” he said in a subdued voice like he was telling me what the weather was like.
I tried to shake my head, but he kept coming. He stood less than an inch or so away-close enough to run his index finger down the center of my neck, dipping into the depression at the junction of my clavicle bones and down the center of my chest. I gripped his finger before it reached my breast. “Trey is gone. It's just the two of us,” he whispered, as if those words were incentive enough to jump his bewitched bones. “You're not in the right frame of mind, Knight,” I said with a counterfeit smile. “I'd be taking advantage of you.” “I want you to take advantage of me. I’m thinking chains and blindfolds…”
I squared my palms against his chest and thrust him away from me. “Don't push me, Knight, or I'll report you to the Relations Office… possessed as you are or not.”
He frowned but his eyes continued to undress me, like he'd never seen a woman before. I glanced down at myself, trying to figure out what was so arresting, but couldn’t find the answer. I was wearing a black tank top and short pajama shorts. Damn it all, I'd have to start wearing my Winter jammies.
And Knight? He looked like a zombie determined to get my brains. But, instead of a brain-besotted zombie, I had a horned out of his mind Loki on my hands. Sometimes life throws little surprises at you and this was definitely one I was going to get miles out of.
“Knight, pull yourself together! If we’re going to work together, you’ve gotta snap out of it!”
###
Knight and I resumed our usual position of laying in wait on our stomachs, just outside the entrance the creature used to come and go through the warehouse. The cold bite in the air contrasted dramatically with the raw heat emanating from Knight's eyes.
It was midnight, and I'd had enough creature stalking to last me a lifetime. I hadn't slept well as I was afraid Knight was going to try to make a move on me again. Whatever he'd swallowed, his sexual appetite was getting more pronounced by the day, making him as fun to be around as a horny dog who refuses to let go of your leg. It was ironic to think I much preferred the staid, cocky and controlling Knight I'd come to know so well. The feel of his palm smacking my ass was the last straw. “For Hades sake, Knight, pay attention to the goddamned creature!” “I can’t help it!” he groaned and rolled closer to me. I pushed him away and when he ventured a hand near me again, I smacked it away. “Hit me again please,” he whispered. “Harder.” This was going to be a long night.
I wrenched my eyes from his lusty gaze back to the creature who was in its natural hairy state in the midst of devouring what appeared to be a road kill carcass. From the corner of my eye, I could see Knight still watching me, paying zero attention to the creature. I handed him the binoculars, hoping it would give him something to do.
He held them up and feigned interest in the creature before dropping them to the ground and returning his insistent gaze to me. “You're much nicer to look at,” he whispered.
Why the hell did I have to put up with this? “Watch the creature.”
“We have time, Dulce, it's not going anywhere,” he said, wrapping his arm around me. I pinched it hard and he moaned out. “Again, Dulce, do it again.”
Instead, I crawled away from him. “Knight, lay off me. You're going to be very humiliated when you come out of this.” I glanced at him with a smile. “And you can bet your ass I'm never going to let you forget it.”
I grabbed the binoculars, figuring one of us needed to pay attention to the creature. Refocusing on our subject, I suddenly noticed the creature wasn't in the warehouse.
“Goddamit!” I seethed. “The creature left. Get up, get up.”
I got to my feet and sped down the alley, Knight directly behind me. Turning the corner, I nearly lost my footing in some loose gravel and pushed myself against the wall of the warehouse to regain my balance, motioning Knight to do the same.
I peered around the corner and watched the creature, now in its feminine shape, stepping into a dark Ford Explorer. I spotted the Wrangler which was parked maybe forty feet up the street, hidden behind a dumpster.
Once the Ford started down the alley, I bolted for the Wrangler, pulling my keys from my jeans pocket as I did so. Knight was quick behind me. I beeped the alarm off and threw open the door, not waiting to see if Knight was seated. I didn't have time.
I turned the key in the ignition, put it into drive and peeled into the street, madly searching for the Black Ford. At the base of the alley, red taillights disappeared over the crest of the hill on Magnolia Street, heading onto Periwinkle Street. Craning my head to the left, there was nothing in sight. Hoping the taillights belonged to the Ford, I followed them.
I caught the Ford at a stop light and suddenly worried the creature might glance behind and recognize us. “Knight, drop down so it can't see you.”
He did as I told him, thank God.
I was careful to keep at least two cars between the Ford and myself as we drove down Periwinkle street and headed for Splendor's city center. When the Ford reached Main Street, it took a left, and I did the same.
The Ford continued down Main Street, approaching Headquarters. When it was about thirty feet from Headquarters, it slowed down and made a left into the parking lot.
“Why the hell are they going to Headquarters?” I asked as I drove past them, not wanting to leave any clues
