Page 50 of Maneater

I bark out a laugh. “What did you think of that scream when he poured?”

“Truthfully, I could’ve done without the shrieking. I almost pissed my pants. But the taste is amazing. Little exploding sugary crystals popping on my tongue mixed with a slightly sour, icy lemonade.” Darien makes an air kiss gesture with his fingers. “Perfection.”

“Well, now that you have the cup, you can go back and get half-price refills. For something sugary sweet, I suggest a Honey Bubble Fluff.” I rub my chin. “Or if you want something that packs more of a kick, then you can’t go wrong with a Phoenix Fireball.”

Darien types furiously on his phone. “Wait, Honey Bubble what?”

“Fluff.” His eagerness is intoxicating. Seeing my world through someone else’s eyes for the first time is a treat.

“Is it like syrupy sweet? I’m not a huge fan of really rich foods. Nothing too creamy.”

A vulgar joke forms in my mind, but I keep it to myself. “I’m not sure how to describe it according to human specifications.”

Darien tilts his head. “How so? When we’re out in the real—” He clears his throat. “Sorry. I mean, when we’re in the other world, you eat and drink human stuff.”

I nod. “Yes, but I don’t experience them in the same way. The basics are there. Salty and sweet. Bitter and sour. Spicy and rich. However, the nuances are vastly different. I’m not sure I can convey to you what a Honey Bubble Fluff tastes like, other than to recommend one if you enjoy sweet drinks.”

“Try?”

His eyes implore me, and I’m determined to come up with a description he can understand.

“Okay, let’s see…” I focus on the flavor in my mind, move my tongue through my mouth as if I’m tasting it in the moment. “I’d say it’s a combination of surreal visions of joy, giggling kittens, and possibly marshmallows.”

Darien stares at me, blinking rapidly. “Uh… I’ve never heard a kitten giggle, let alone tasted one while they were mid-giggle.”

My shoulders slump. I thought I’d really nailed the flavor with that description. I guess humans don’t process sensation the same way we do.

“Don’t worry. I’ve never literally tasted a kitten either.” I wince. “I don’t want you thinking that’s the kind of monster I am.”

He shakes his head vigorously. “Of course not, I know how you are with animals. I’ve never seen anyone connect so deeply with them.”

“Phew.” I chuckle a bit uneasily. “Don’t want to scare you off. What I mean is that it’s the feeling you get when a kitten giggles rather than how they themselves taste.”

He scoots closer to me and entwines his fingers with mine. “And I’m not scared of you,” he whispers. “It would be weird to move in with you if I was.”

“Point taken.”

Our gazes lock, and I remember my plan of getting us out of there early. I want to spend some time with him in my arms. Tomorrow will be a long day working at the booth, catching up with everyone, plus whatever secretarial duties I need to fulfill. I want tonight to be for us.

Right as I’m leaning in for a kiss, Darien frowns. “So, kittens actually giggle for real?”

I almost respond with a big “duh”, but catch myself. Darien exists in human form all the time. He has no clue about kittens who giggle or eagles that make raspberries when they’re telling you to fuck off.

“They do. You might not be able to tell, but the next time we’re around one that’s laughing, I’ll let you know.”

“Cool.”

He’s staring at my mouth, and I can’t hold back any longer. I press a firm kiss to his lips, teasing past the seam to taste him. No one or anything tastes like Darien. He’s sweeter than any drink could ever be.

The world falls away, and the only thing that matters is the beautiful man in my arms. I wrap my palm around the back of his head, holding him in place as I plunder his mouth, stealing his breath as he steals mine.

A cacophony of whistles, grunts, and howls pull me from my lust-addled stupor. We both abruptly break the kiss at the same time, Darien burying his face in my chest. Nothing like a chorus of catcalls to ruin the moment.

Fred calls out, “Get a cave!”

You know what? He’s right.

Chapter Sixteen