A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed it back, not wanting to admit this, but somehow not able to keep the truth from him. “Well, they’re right.”
Dragging his finger back up her arm, he caught her chin, drawing up her gaze and staring at her with tender eyes. “No, Bryanna, they are wrong.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “How do you know?”
“Because I’ve been where you are. I’m a demon. I belong in the pits of hell and have been labeled a ruthless murderer of souls.” He tilted his head. “Am I those things?”
“No,” she answered without pause. He wasn’t at all what she’d known about demons. There was no sign of evil. If anything, he’d shown her nothing but kindness. “So, what, you ignore them?”
His eyes became pained. “It’s impossible to ignore.” His chin lifted and the dark edge to his eyes vanished. “But I live the way I do and prove them wrong. I accept myself for what I am. I’m not flawed, I’m special…and so are you.”
“Yeah, special.” She snorted, gazing out at the flowers around her that were scattered through the field. “That’s one way to put it.”
Capturing her chin in his hand again, he forced her gaze to him and gave her a hard look. “Do you know of another witch who can do what you can do?”
“No.”
He inclined his head, his eyes softening. “Meaning, there’s only one you. Only one witch who has been gifted in a way no one else has. I’d say that makes you pretty damn special.”
Drawing in a deep breath, she regarded him and couldn’t find any deception in his gaze. “You really believe that?”
“I do.”
The idea sounded nice. She welcomed a life of not having anyone judge her and point fingers as if she had a big wart on her nose. Maybe one day she’d share Zeke’s views. For now, she couldn’t and desperately wanted off the subject. “About my finding a job, is there an employment office?”
His eyes twinkled, at what she had no idea. “Goblin’s Employment is on the main road and I’m sure it’s still open. Everything in town closes at 10:00 p.m.” He gave her thigh a slap. “Why don’t you go there now and see what you can find?”
She stood, glancing down at him in the hideous chair, and he looked completely out of place on such a girly piece of furniture. When he didn’t move to join her, she asked, “You’re not coming with me?”
He shook his head slowly. “I’ve got to be somewhere else.”
Her breath caught in her throat at his dismissal. Oh, maybe he was done with her now or perhaps he had another lover. He owed her nothing, and well, he’d been kinder to her than any other one-night-stand she’d known. Still, hot jealousy over another lover burned in her veins, which made her heart skip a beat.
Witches didn’t care for demons. Besides, she hadn’t even known him a day. She needed to get into a hot bath, since clearly she was more o
f a mess than she even realized. “Okay then.” Though the jealous part of her made her add, “Will I see you later?”
He grinned. “Bet on it.”
So, he’s not done with me. But that left… “Are you going home to another lover?”
His eyes narrowed. “You think I would be here with you now if I had another lover?”
“Um…” She gulped.
He slowly stood from the chair, gripped her hip and yanked her to him, his fingers tangling into her hair. Then his lips were on hers and her concerns were forgotten.
Zeke kissed her with a fiery passion and his demanding kiss told her he only thought of her now. The power with which he kissed her left no room for a misunderstanding.
When he broke the kiss, he arched an eyebrow. “Any doubt now?”
“No,” she rasped.
“Good.”
Chapter Six
Zeke strode down Main Street and the night had now settled in, the town fluttered with activity. Most supernaturals who lived in Charmstone came out after dark. He neither minded the sun nor needed sleep. Days were endless for him, but he enjoyed when those who lived in the town awakened and the streets were busy.