Once

I think I got to frown. I'm not quite sure. If I did, it lasted less than a heartbeat, because his lips brushing mine melted it —and me— away. My eyelids fell, erasing whatever surrounded us, and I stood on my tiptoes to reach his lips better.

He broke our kiss a lot sooner than I would've wanted, and met my eyes with that warm smile that was my doom.

"Tell me again who's in the Manor right now?" he whispered, his thumb tracing my parted lips.

A stray brain cell, the sole survivor of his kiss, helped me answer. "The Blotters."

"Three, four of them?"

"Six."

"Six, wow. And your two friends, and Isaac, right?"

"Yes."

"And a demon in the garden."

"He's not a demon."

"Well, your hellhound pet in the garden."

"Yes."

He tilted his head and I knew whatever he asked, I wouldn't refuse.

"How about sleeping here?"

The bastard whispered it with his lips brushing mine. Was I to say no? I just kissed him. And I had to stop him when he tried to turn to the bed.

"What."