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“It’s amazing. Ah, can I use the facilities?” I ask.
“Of course. I’m sorry, Talia, I should have thought about that last night.” He frowns, but I just nod, shut the door, and hurry to the toilet, but when I sit, nothing comes. I’m too nervous. “Um, can you hear me with your monster super hearing?”
There’s a pause and then a huff, almost like a laugh he tried to cover. “Yes, but I am not listening, Tally.”
Grumbling, I try to pee, but I can’t. “I can’t go when you’re listening,” I whine.
There is another laugh, and then suddenly, soft music wafts through the air, and I relax, finally peeing. After I’m done, I wash my hands and face with water from the sink, cupping it to drink some before drying my hands and opening the door. I ache to wash away the blood and sweat, but I don’t want to keep him waiting.
I find him with his back to me, crouched down under the desk. He’s flipping through some old records. Perched on an old filing cabinet I didn’t notice before is a record player playing the soothing tones of soft jazz. “I’m not sure what music you like.”
“Any actually. I can appreciate the beauty in rock, hip-hop, jazz, and orchestra. They each have such different sounds, but the way they are made? Magnificent.” I smile as I move closer.
He grins up at me. “I feel the same.”
“I actually used to play the piano,” I offer as I sway with the music. He puts in another record, and a soft, romantic song plays.
“You did?” he asks as I twirl to the music, unable to help it. He smiles, watching me before standing and moving towards me. He takes my hand and tugs me closer. I gasp as he starts to sway.
“Cato,” I start, but he hushes me, lifts me, and twirls me, making a laugh burst free as he pulls me back and sways again.
“The piano?” he prompts.
“My mother taught me when I was younger. It was the only time we spent together. She was always very busy. She was a good woman, an inspiration, but I always missed her, so piano was our time. She made me understand the logic behind each key, each piece, and I fell in love with the order and the ability to create. It settled me. It was peaceful and grounding,” I murmur as I sway with him.
“You stopped playing?” he surmises.
“When she died,” I murmur. “It made me sad.”
Frowning, he pulls me closer. “I am sorry, Tally.”
I nod and just sway with him, and then he suddenly spins me out again, making me grin, and the bad mood is broken just like that. We dance around his room for this song and the next before he pulls me closer, resting his chin on his chest to look down at me with sparkling eyes and a soft smile.
I stare up at the monster in the warm white lights, the music wrapping around us, and I can’t remember why I ever feared him.
“Cato, why don’t you hate me like the rest of your people?” I ask, needing to know.
He stills. “Why would I hate you? I understand the hatred of the people who…hurt us, but you? You did nothing to me. How could I hate someone who’s so innocent? So beautiful and strong? We are both smarter than blind hatred. Maybe, Talia, you are making me realise that not all humans are bad.”
“And that not all monsters are feral, killing beats.” I grin.
Smirking, he leans down and presses his lips to my ear. “Oh, I am feral. Don’t mistake that, Tally. I am feral for you. I spent all night wondering what your human skin would look like flushed with me inside you.” He pulls back and spins me as I stumble in shock.
What on earth?
He laughs harder at my blushing cheeks and shy look as he pulls me closer again and lifts me, grinning as he holds me in the air. “You are so cute when you blush, Tally. Your skin looks like mine. I wonder if I could make you blush all over. But don’t worry, you’re safe for now.” He lets me slide down his body and dips me just as the music ends.
We are both panting and staring at each other. Slowly, his smile fades and his eyes flash with hunger as he holds me tightly. Pulling me back up slowly, he releases me, but his hands flex like it was a struggle. I instantly miss the heat of his touch. The way he watched me made me feel beautiful and desired.
I realise that for a moment, we weren’t enemies. We weren’t monster and human. We were just us.
What is happening to me?
ELEVEN
CATO
Licking my lips, I force my gaze away from Talia. She glows in here, shining with an inner light I can’t describe. Her lips are curled in a shy smile, and those addictive eyes sweep me away with their stormy depths. She’s beautiful.
