Free Demon Hunting In Dixie by Lexi George

without making a sound, he was behind her. She could feel him. She spun around. He was right on top of her. God, he was beautiful. His pale blond hair and his strange eyes seemed to radiate light. No human man had a shine to him like that. It was hypnotic, mesmerizing. She could not move. He was a wolf and she was a rabbit, and he was going to gobble her up unless she did something to break the spell.
    â€œYour friend seems a-a little intense,” she stammered.
    â€œHe is a hunter and single-minded in his pursuit of what he wants . . . as am I.”
    She jumped when he reached out and removed her floppy gardening hat. Her hair tumbled down around her shoulders. She stared up at him, feeling self-conscious and nervous. This guy was so perfect, and she was so . . . not. She was a big blob, an awkward, ugly thing compared to his shining perfection. Why was he paying attention to her? It was some kind of cruel trick.
    He lifted a long, red curl, and examined it. “Why do you conceal your fire with an ugly cap and your beauty beneath a shapeless gown, Evangeline? You cannot hide your true self from me.”
    Evie gasped. “Who told you my name? Nobody has called me Evangeline since my mama died.”
    â€œEvie is the name of a frightened, lonely girl. Evangeline is a beautiful, strong woman. You are Evangeline.”
    â€œYeah, right, this coming from a guy like you.”
    Ansgar’s brows drew together. “What does this mean, ‘a guy like me’?”
    â€œOh, come on, don’t make me say it. You’ve seen yourself in the mirror.”
    He smiled, and Evie thought the top of her head would blow off. Wow, this guy was something else.
    â€œYou find me attractive in a physical sense?”
    Attractive, who was he kidding? He had to know he was drop-dead gorgeous. He’d probably heard it a thousand times before from a thousand other women. Did he need another female to tell him so? Did he need Whaley Douglass to stroke his ego?
    No.
    No, she did not think so.
    She looked him square in the eye—a very un-Evie-like thing to do—but for some reason around this guy she was something else, too. “Let’s say you don’t exactly suck in the looks department.”
    He tilted his head, as though considering her words. “Not to suck is a good thing in your culture, is it not? You use sarcasm. It shows spirit. You are not at all the meek, timid mouse you pretend to be.”
    Taking her by the arm, he pulled her toward the door.
    â€œWait, where are we going?”
    He gave her another bone-melting smile. “You will accompany me to the tailor’s to purchase a new suit of clothes so that I am not conspicuous.”
    â€œMister, you’re six-foot-four if you’re an inch, and you look like a cross between Thor and an escapee from Rivendell. The clothes don’t exist that would make you inconspicuous. Besides, I told Addy I’d mind the shop.”
    â€œThen you will close the shop. At the tailor’s, we will select what you like. I want to please you.”
    Evie stared up at him in confusion. “Why? Why on earth do you care what I think? I’m nobody, and you just met me.” With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she looked around for the hidden camera. “This is a joke, isn’t it? Meredith put you up to this. It’s some kind of sick reality show. That’s great, really great. Well, you’re going to have to get yourself another stooge, ’cause I’m not going anywhere with you.”
    She spun around and marched behind the counter.
    Ansgar followed her. “Evangeline, I do not jest with you. I do not know how. What has Adara told you about me and Brand?”
    â€œShe didn’t tell me anything. She started to tell me and Meredith came in. You and Brand came in right after that. So, see, I don’t know anything. Innocent as a lamb, that’s me. You can go out of here knowing your secret is safe,