Page 23 of Dawn to Dusk
I appreciated that honesty. “Witches don’t practice monogamy unless a beast claims them and says otherwise.”
He winked at my answer. “Then I shall continue to court you until you dismiss me. I’m surprised you have not already chosen at least one lover.”
“Everyone here hates me.”
“Everyone?” His colorful eyes glinted with knowledge. “Or have you been hiding because that is what you believe?”
“You’re really going for the tough stuff this evening.”
“Might as well ask one more.” His perfect smile mesmerized me. How many smiles did he have? Were they all so captivating? His smile was perfect. Not too many teeth, not too little. His lips were thick in a way that said he would be an amazing kisser. It was always breathtaking when someone couldexpress every emotion with one feature. “Why did you cut your hair? Shame for your mother’s sins?”
My eyes fell to where my once ankle-length hair now barely passed my chin. The evidence of my dishonor to my goddess. “I gave my mother a better foothold in a war I never believed in. I was too much of a coward to do the right thing.”
“The world we live in is unkind, and people do their best with what they have.”
“My shame is my own.”
“I know. Witches are big on that.” A kind understanding smile this time.
“You smile a lot for someone lonely enough to court an ex-hunter.”
“Trust me, dear. There are worse out there than you, and witches do not mind regularly having company with men who will inevitably toss them aside.”
And there were not many witches offering themselves to beasts these days.
He hesitated for a split second before finishing his thought. Long enough for me to start investigating for ulterior motives again. “Their sexual need also supersedes certain . . . reservations.”
I lifted an eyebrow, not sure what he meant.
“Sexually speaking, witches are more open and understanding.”
“To what exactly?” Witches were the definition of wild sexual hunger, but beasts were far from being prudes. We saved all the sex shame for the humans.
“I request we discuss that at another time.” He grinned at me.
“Sounds like you want me to touch your penis without giving me a disclosure clause.” With beasts, sometimes thereneeded to be a disclosure clause. Different species had penises that you weren’t always mentally prepared for.
He chuckled, but it was an uncomfortable sound. His hair turned a pale yellow. “Please?”
“All right.” I conceded, biting back the urge to ask about his hair. “But it’s silly. Whatever it is, I’ll figure it out.”
“I’m hoping you will, but there is a time and a place for everything.” Deep royal purple washed over his hair again. That’s the color it stayed most of the time.
He cleaned up our mess and bowed at the waist. “Until we meet again.”
“Wait!” I blurted out. “Why does your hair change color?”
He gave me a panty dropping smile that made my thighs clench. “I’ll tell you the next time I entertain you.”
“No, I need to know.” I argued.
“It’s a deposit. To make sure you come back for more.” He confessed, jumping over the railing.
“Devious bastard.”
He laughed as he entered his own room. Despite my annoyance, I chuckled along with him, rolling my eyes at his antics.
The beast could make me laugh at least.
