Page 21 of Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie

“Are you saying—”

“I do not know.” Leon allowed a hint of irritation into his voice. I didn’t think he was irritated with me so much as the situation. I could kind of relate.

My empty water bottle’s plastic crumpled within my death grip. “Is it just my blood you want?” I asked.

Leon’s gaze finally came back to me. “The packaging is appealing as well.”

“Packaging?” I lifted an eyebrow.

“I have already said you are unique.” Leon said those words as if they explained everything.

“You did. Forgive me for not understanding your meaning,” I sarcastically answered.

“Vampires crave uniqueness. I was offering a compliment.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what to do with that. Evidently my cheeks did because they flushed with a different type of heat. My pixie form was pretty. All pixies were. Compared to Auntie Tandra and photos I’d seen of my mom, I was downright drab. I was also petite. Other pixies didn’t really hold that against me. I figured it was more of an internal issue than external one.

Leon took a cautious step forward. When I didn’t pull back, he took another, and then another until I could reach out and touch him if I wished. I thought about it but kept my hands planted within my own personal space bubble.

“Perhaps I should use more common terminology. You are very attractive, Frost. Every part of you is enticing—the scent of your blood, your intense coloring, your bravery, your wit and determination, your smirk, the way the light shimmers through your blue eyes, the hint of yellow that bleeds through when your emotions are high—there is not an inch of you I do not find appealing.”

Oh. Oh! What did I do with that?My lips parted, shallow pants filling the air. Absently, I wondered if that yellow Leon just described lit my eyes because my emotions were high. Very high.

Clearing my throat, I attempted speech a couple of times before anything decipherable came out.

“I-I…I’m not sure what to say. I don’t think… I mean, I’m pretty sure no one’s ever described me in those terms.” I’d never suffered insults for my size the way I’d heard Phil had. I’d never been afraid my colors were too dull like Parsnip. I’m not sure I would have given a shit if they had. That wasn’t completely true. Iwasa pixie, but that was only half my heart. My other half couldn’t care less what others thought.

Still, it was nice—no, better than nice—hearing someone else describe you in such appreciative terms. It was even nicer coming from someone who made my dick stand up and pay attention.

Leon’s lips twitched. He palmed my cheek, his talons long gone, his blunt nails gentle against my skin. Leon wasn’t exactly cold to the touch, but he was cool. I leaned into his skin, relishing the feel on my overheated flesh.

“Reciprocation is most likely too much to expect at this point.” The cold indifference typically lacing Leon’s words was absent, replaced by a tinge of playful warmth.

“Hmm…maybe not,” I practically purred, leaning into his touch even more. “You’re not so bad yourself.” I left off “for a vampire.” Leon knew what he was. He didn’t need my reminder.

“Not so bad? I suppose I’ve worked with less.”

I chuckled, the sound rumbling through my bass purr. The sound brought Lizbeth from the washroom. She cautiously peeked through the door. She must have been satisfied by what she saw because she was gone nearly as quickly.

Leon and I stayed that way for a few more precious seconds. His thumb touched my lower lip, running his pad over the surface. I gasped but couldn’t manage much more. Deep in my core, I knew this moment somehow changed everything. My life path was immediately picked up and realigned. The weaving road was now straight as an arrow, wide, and sure. It wasn’t a sensation I could easily describe and yet it was as true as anything I’d ever known.

Leon’s dark gaze slowly slid from my eyes toward my tilted neck. I hadn’t even realized I’d done that. Did he see it as an offer? It was amazing how expressive his onyx eyes were when I paid closer attention.

And if that’s what he wanted, was I ready to offer up a vein? Peaches did it. Previously, questioning him seemed rude. Current circumstances made me reevaluate that decision.

My pulse pounded. I could only imagine what that looked like to a hungry vampire. In that instant, I knew I wasn’t ready. The first niggle of fear rolled through me. It wasn’t overwhelming, simply that spark of self-preservation nearly every individual had. Something must have shifted in my eyes or maybe my demeanor. Whatever it was, Leon stiffened and dropped his hand. I immediately missed the coolness and pressure.

“I will not force you,” Leon said, tone frigid once more.

“I know,” I answered confidently. I shouldn’t have sounded so sure. “I don’t know why I know that, but I do.”

Leon relaxed a fraction. “Good. I do not wish to frighten you.”

I grinned. I just couldn’t help it. “Trust me, I’ve seen a lot scarier than you.”

I’d thought Leon would understand the amusement. Instead, his eyes flared crimson before settling into black again.

“That does not put me at ease, Frost.”

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