Page 306 of Flirting with Darkness

Dex didn’t know what to say to that either. His work wasn’t something he talked about with anyone. Either they knew what he did, or they didn’t. That was that.

“I can pick my own schedule.” Dex figured that was the safest explanation. “What’s yours?”

She gave him a look that clearly said it was none of his business.

“So, what do you do?” he asked as innocently as he could.

“I’m in between work right now.” Nova shushed him and held out her hand for the vodka. “Now be quiet so I can fucking watch this.”

Damn, she was a pain in the ass.

They passed the bottle between them, and he could see her getting sleepier, but she watched the entire episode without even flinching or reacting. Dex couldn’t tell if he was impressed or worried.

He finished the bottle and silently handed her some water. Nova took it without looking and Dex just sighed. This was not easy, and it didn’t help that she still looked cute as fuck.

The episode ended and he paused, turning to face her fully. “Before we start episode two, you have to tell me one thing I don’t know about you. I’ll do the same.”

Nova gave him a sideways look that promised pain and he wondered if she could actually follow up on that threat.

“My dad wants me to come home.”

For some reason that statement hit him in the gut. The thought of her leaving actually put him on the edge of rage, and he couldn’t figure out why. She was hot, sure, but they barely knew each other.

His life would be easier if she left.

“Why?” Dex tried to keep his voice normal. He tried to make it look and sound like he didn’t care. He leaned forward to grab another water and drank it while he waited for her to respond, focusing on keeping his heart rate normal before it set off his demon.

Nova was quiet for a long time and he could practically see her sink farther into her jacket. “He doesn’t think it’s safe for me here. He told me I was being reckless.”

The real pain in her words made him want to hunt the man down and force him to apologize.

Dex rolled his shoulders back and then grabbed more food – anything to distract himself.

Really, it wasn’t all that different from whathehad told her. “I’m sure you’ll find a job and things will be fine.”

Nova sighed and turned back to the TV. “Your turn.”

18

NOVA

Dex was far more perceptive than she’d given him credit for. Even though he was trying really hard not to hover, she could feel his attention on her like a brand. For the first time since she’d met him, it didn’t feel sexual.

He was worried.

Talking to her dad had been the right choice no matter how she felt about what he had to say.

The moment you’re compromised, you have to get out of there.

At first, she hadn’t told him what was really bothering her. Talking about boys with her dad was fucking weird, but he wasn’t an idiot. He’d yanked it out of her with a few carefully chosen questions.

Admitting that she had very strong…feelings—for a powerful paranormal who might just end up on her arrest orders hadn’t been easy. But her dad had made the whole thing really simple.

If you get the orders, could you arrest him—kill him if that’s what they told you to do?

At that point nothing else mattered except her ability to do what was needed. But could she do it?

Nova didn’t think Dex was doing something she couldn’t live with. She really didn’t think he was abducting innocents or causing problems that would make the Council want to take him down.

---