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“Offensive?”
“It’s offensive when they think it’s all we ever care about.”
Her brows rose. Curiosity sparked. While her face was mostly shadowed by the dim lights, her eyes gleamed a light gray that he could focus on. He liked focusing on them and was greedy for the way its shade shifted from time to time, depending on her emotion. Now he read skepticism under the curiosity.
“Isn’t blood all you ever care about?”
He eyed his drink in distrust, then gave in and signaled the waiter to bring them more glasses. He lifted his glass and took a sip.
“If we were barbarians, sure. It’s sustenance, and I would prefer to have it in an orderly manner.”
“So, blood banks instead of tearing animals apart. I like that.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” she echoed.
“I don’t see you acting restless when you hang out in my studio during the full moon. Most shifters do.”
“A lot do, but a lot aren’t dictated by that. I’m not. Besides, it’s good to control aspects of my life like this. I’m too busy—”
“With multiple jobs and your son. Yes. I know.” A pause, then, “Let’s do truth or dare.”
“What? Why are you…you know what, fine. Truth.”
“Don’t you ever do anything for yourself?” he asked promptly.
“This is for me. Painting is for me. My son’s happiness is mine.”
“That’s a load of bullshit.”
She grinned. “Bullshit, huh?”
He stared at the glass, then at her. “And I’m sure this beer is spiked.”
“It’s not. Truth or dare.”
“Truth.”
“What about you? Do you ever do something for yourself other than making your family happy and secretly painting? What’s the latest thing that gave you so much joy?”
Watching her paint. Witnessing her come alive when she tapped her talent until it overflowed. Her body language sang with it and made his fingers itch. Her eyes when she finished a section that she liked…it was like looking into magic and witnessing it bloom with a desperation that punched him in the gut. All over. It took him a long time to absorb the rest and mull it over.
“This,” he finally said. “I didn’t expect to enjoy a low-key joint like this. I’m used to…”
“Fancy stuff?”
“Things my clan enjoys. We grew up with prestige. I can’t deny that. This isn’t our scene but I like it.” A pause. “Truth or dare.”
“Dare.”
“I dare you to take time off for yourself. Even for a weekend. Without your son or your brother. Without work or thinking about any of that. If your aunt can babysit now, I’m sure she will be willing next time.”
She sipped…nodded. “Okay. I will.”
“Really?”
“You are right. Don’t shove it in my face now,” she added with a laugh. She had a very nice laugh and it tickled his senses. “Truth or dare.”
