Page 352 of Flirting with Darkness

“What’s wrong, Rae?” He asks, taking my shoulders in his hands.

Shrugging a bit, I feel my cheeks warm, and I know I’m blushing. “Well, it’s just I thought I knew you—but now I feel like maybe I jumped the gun a little. I mean I just had sex for the first time in my life with you and I hardly know anything about you or where you come from.”

Kharon’s eyes fall as he regards me. Turning his head over his shoulder quickly, he sighs at the sight of the rising sun before looking back at me. “Rae,” he begins, taking my chin in his hands and lifting my head. “Last night was no mistake. It was indeed the best part of my six hundred years.”

“Six hundred!” I shriek. “But you barely look a day over thirty.”

“Well, more like twenty-five or twenty-seven,” he laughs, brushing his fingers through his hair.

“How is that possible?”

“For starters, things work differently in the Netherworld. Without the sun’s influence we don’t age as fast. Time moves far slower there than it does here. So in mortal years I’ve been around about the span of six hundred years. But where I’m from I’ve barely lived. That’s why when the Changelings cursed me with mortal-like aging, it sped me to death’s door. But it is your love Rae, reversing the curse.”

“Wait, so will this be some Benjamin Button type of thing? Will you turn into a baby or something? Because if so, that’s gross and I’m totally going to jail. Or hell. Or whichever comes first.”

“Oh, I am certain there’s no place reserved for you in hell, my lady,” Kharon says with a wink. “And while I have no idea who or what Benjamin Button is, I can assure you, this is as young as it gets for me.”

“Okay, but what about—”

“Rae, listen, I know you have questions. And I promise to answer as much as I am able. But there’s more pressing things we should tend to.” Once more, Kharon’s eyes dance and I wonder how quickly my clothes will disappear this time.

Rising up on the balls of my feet, I smile. “Like what?” I ask twirling my hair between my fingers.

Lifting his arm above my head, he dangles a gathering of greenery. “A Christmas kiss. Merry Christmas!”

18

KHARON

Dangling the mistletoe atop where Rae and I stand, I wrap my free arm around her waist and pull her close. Locking our lips together, I once more feel a bolt of kinetic energy whip through me, as yet another part of me is brought to life by the love of Rae Vereen.

Not only is this wonderful woman igniting a passion I thought I had long since lost, but she makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. I don’t know if it’s the softness of her lips or the sweetness of her luscious tongue as it swirls with mine, but I can honestly say I’ve never beheld such a precious gift on a Christmas morning in all my long years.

And based on our endless lovemaking last night, Rae Vereen is indeed a gift that keeps giving.

As hard as it is,and as hard as I feel myself becoming, I pull away from our kiss. I know if we linger a minute longer the lovely ensemble I just placed on Rae will undoubtedly unravel to her feet.

“Mmm… Merry Christmas, Kharon,” she breathes, tugging my shirt, yanking me close to nab another kiss.

“Best holiday ever,” I add, leaning my forehead to hers. “Just the first of many.”

Rae pinches her chin between her fingers, scrunching her mouth in the cutest way. “Yeah, somebody said something about taking care of me for rest of my life.”

I smile. Sarcasm never sounded sweeter. “And that somebody meant every word.”

“Well then why do I feel like I’m being kicked out? I mean I know there’s still more you have to share about yourself, but please don’t tell me there’s a Mrs. Kharon on her way back or something.” Rae giggles but raises a cautious brow.

While I know she’s being cute, just the insinuation frustrates me. “Rae.” My voice deepens more than an octave. She jumps back a little, but I drop the mistletoe to the ground, and grab her wrist. “Let me be perfectly clear. There has never been a Mrs. Kharon. But when that time comes, I assure you that you’ll be the only woman with such a title.” Rae’s eyes widen, and her mouth gapes in surprise. Taking her chin, I gently push her jaw to close her mouth. “But if you prefer that I be called Mr. Rae, I am more than open to the notion. I am a feminist, after all.” I smile, hopeful she knows how serious I am.

“Wow, Kharon,” Rae begins, her eyes watering. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted nothing but to hear you say those words. I know I have more to learn about you—where you come from—and so much more, but I doubt there’s anything you can say to change how I feel—how I’ve always felt about you. I love you.”

Kissing her cheek, I run my hand through her pillowy soft hair. “And I love you, Rae Vereen.”

“To the moon and back?” she laughs, firming her hold on my back.

“How about to Pluto’s moon?”

Tilting her head, curious, Rae chuckles. “Pluto?”

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