Dark Desires After Dusk (Immortals After Dark #6)(49)

“So what you’re saying is that you’re toxic, and you can even be poisonous, too?”

He gave her an unamused look, then continued, “Even with other species, you should never go for the head. Think about it—most of it is covered by hard bone. The odds of hitting vulnerable areas like the mouth or nose aren’t good. And if you land a hit anywhere else but those two spots, you’ll likely hurt your hand more than your opponent. But that doesn’t mean you can’t attack the face. You can gouge eyes out, and rake your claws down a foe’s cheek. Or you can give him a ‘Glasgow kiss.’ ”

“What’s that?”

“A head-butt. Say I’ve got your arms wrapped tight at your sides, and you can’t get free. Just snap your head forward, aiming your forehead for the bridge of your enemy’s nose.”

“What about the old standby of kicking a guy in the groin?”

“Try it.”

Love to . . . Without warning, she launched a kick. He caught her foot, forcing her to hop for balance.

“Cadeon!” she cried, and he finally released her.

“I could have tossed you backward. If you’re going for the groin, use your hands. It only takes a little force to do a lot of damage there. And most males won’t expect a small female to go for a grab. Now try to hit my torso. Charge me! Now! Do it!”

She did, but he snatched her hand. Using her momentum, he spun her around, looping his arm around her neck. “That’s all it would take, Holly. Your adversary could break your neck.”

They were both breathing heavy, his forearm easing down to her breasts. She narrowed her eyes. He’d done this entire sparring scenario just to get her in a position like this.

At that instant, something snapped. Holly had officially had enough of Cadeon’s tricks. She’d throw a few of her own.

She relaxed in his arms, acting receptive. As if pleased with her, he pressed his mouth to her neck. He was already growing hard against her.

Yet just last night, he’d been with another.

Don’t think—just let instinct take over? She eased around in his arms. Gazing at his mouth, she whispered, “I want to kiss you.”

His eyes widened, then narrowed. “Holly . . .” he said in a raspy voice, easing down.

Just before his lips reached hers, she jerked her head back to whip it forward into his nose. A Glasgow kiss. Distinct cracking sounded.

With his nose pouring blood, he squeezed her upper arms, “Holly, what the f*ck—”

Using all her strength, she hiked her knee up between his legs.

His hands flew to cup his groin as his knees met the ground.

“You’re right, Cadeon.” She dusted off her hands. “That really was fun.”





22





You broke my nose and my ballocks, and you’re the one acting pissed off?” Cade said as he drove down the freeway, noting how nasally his voice sounded.

Without glancing up from her computer, she said, “You’re the one who wanted to spar.” Her tone was aloof, distinctly uninterested.

“I didn’t know I was courting your feminine wrath. And I told you not to go for the groin. Doubtful I’ll be able to reproduce after your knee-job.”

“What will the world be like without little Cadeons to populate it?”

“If you were angry because I asked you some questions then you’ve gotten me back.”

In that uninterested voice, she said, “Revenge is sweet.” He’d never seen this side of her.

Yet even considering this animosity, he would still do the same thing again. He’d struck gold in his interrogation, having finally discovered why his female had remained a virgin.

She’d been too afraid of hurting another with her strength and aggression.

He’d also learned how she’d controlled her libido. With punishing swims and wet dreams. Thinking about the latter had even his abused manhood stirring.

“Is this how it’s to be the entire trip?” he asked her.

“I simply don’t have anything to say to you.”

“Well, then I’m just going to talk. And talk. And say my piece. First of all, I didn’t sleep with Imatra.”

With a sigh, she asked, “Why do you care if I believe you or not?”

“Because if you think I got a leg over with that slag, then the chance of anything sexual with you will be drastically reduced.”

Without looking up, she said, “Cadeon, a chance can’t be reduced from zero.”

“Gods, I love it when you talk mathy to me.”

*

He wasn’t going to charm her this time. She faced him with a blank expression.

“All right, so you don’t think this is a jesting matter,” he said. “I get that. But the fact remains that I didn’t tup her.”

Strangely enough, Holly had started to have minute doubts. Yes, she’d seen them kissing—which was bad enough, since he’d been making advances toward Holly the same night. But had they actually slept together? What if Imatra truly had withheld the directions?

Holly said, “You might be telling the truth about this, and I might come to believe you. But you’re lying about something. I can feel it. So be careful what you convince me of.”

Had something flashed in his eyes?