Free Immortal Craving: Immortal Heart by Magen McMinimy, Cynthia Shepp Page A

was still damp from the shower he’d heard her taking—her second one since they’d arrived. She leaned so nonchalantly in her red silk robe. She was as he always loved seeing her; no makeup, her hair wild and free, and her body barely covered. Her long legs were crossed, calling to him to spread them—Kale shook his head and focused back on her face.
    “Be careful with that small blaze, Kale. One of us can’t escape this house.”
    Kale smirked, tossing the ball of flames in the air and then flicking his hand towards the fireplace. The ball exploded against the brick of the hearth; the lightly charred logs lighting in a display of heat and licking flames.
    “You forget , fire is the one thing I always have complete control over.”
    Kat’s eyes moved from the now roaring fire to the bottle of alcohol on the table. Kale followed her gaze and smiled.
    “You want some?” he asked, pouring a shot and holding it out towards her. “If I remember right, you once shared my love of Patron.”
    Kat nodded. “I still do,” she said, pushing off the wall and moving to take the shot glass from him.
    Kale studied her face as she took the shot. She looked ashen, with pale purple circles under her eyes. The makeup she’d worn earlier had hid the fact that she was either sick—which rarely happened to any Fae creature—or she needed to feed.
    “When was your last feed, Kat?” Kale asked as she handed him back the shot glass.
    She arched a brow at him. “It’s been a few days.”
    “I’d say by looking at you that it’s been more than a few days,” Kale said, pinning her with his gaze.
    “Not that it’s any of your business, but I feed differently these days… and not as often.”
    “Define differently,” Kale pushed.
    Kat glowered at him. “I feed off Jake at least once a month, and I supplement those feedings with human lovers twice a month.”
    Kale couldn’t help it… he didn’t like hearing her refer to the humans she slept with as lovers.
    “You don’t have sex with your Trow ?”
    “No,” she said quietly.
    Kat lowered her gaze to the floor. She didn’t like talking to Kale about the men she invited into her bed. It shouldn’t matter, but it hurt her heart to tell him… not that he cared.
    “You can’t sustain on sex with humans… not only twice a month.”
    “I do just fine. I’ve survived this long.” She found the courage she needed to lift her gaze to at least look at his face, though she avoided eye contact. She was strong. She had to be, but something about this infuriating Immortal… something she couldn’t explain about him, called to her. Made her feel vulnerable and weak. His presence clenched at her heart and if she stared into those espresso orbs, the pressure would threaten her very existence.
    “And let me guess, you were out looking for your next human tonight.”
    Kat steeled herself as she answered, finding a little attitude to support her answer. “I’m due for a good romp in the sack, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    Kale nodded. “Then you can feed from me ,” he said flatly.
    Kat stared at him, dumbfounded and a little scared at the thought. She couldn’t… she just couldn’t.
    “No,” she answered, trying for the same flatness he’d had in his voice upon the offer.
    “You don’t have many options right now and I can see how hungry you are.”
    Kat’s nostrils flared… She really was hungry. She was moving towards him before she could think better of it. Her eyes remained like hard emeralds as she came within his reach. Kale moved quickly, pulling her into his lap.
    “What are you doing?” she shrieked as she squirmed and attempted to get up.
    He was too close—his body and scent too familiar.
    Kale wrapped an arm around her waist as he answered, “We’re going to do this my way.”
    It wasn’t right, he knew it, but he wanted to feel her against him. He’d longed for her and even if things weren’t the same, he wanted to do this for her.