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I laughed. “No, I just mean—”
“It was to waken that spark of inspiration in you. I wanted you to need me as much as I need you, Cole Matheson.”
I swallowed hard, his words running up and down my spine. “You knew I’d want to draw you?”
“Who wouldn’t?”
“But it doesn’t make sense. The second time, you…” My face flushed, remembering him rolling up his sleeves, kneeling in front of me…
“The second time was merely to get better acquainted,” Ambri said. “It’s what I do.”
“Right. It’s what you do.” The heat in my cheeks faded. Because I wasn’t the only one he visited. Not by a long shot.
We rounded the corner and Ambri nodded his head at the café called La Marais.
“This is the place. Not my favorite, but you should like it.”
“You have favorites? I thought you didn’t need to eat or drink.”
“It’s French, which brings up unpleasant associations.”
“We don’t have to go here—”
“It’s fine. I could use the reminder, actually.”
“Reminder of?”
“The cruelty of humans.”
I started to ask how ademoncould find humans cruel, but he huffed irritably. “Can we sit at a table like civilized entities before you continue your inquisition?”
“Sure,” I said, chuckling. Before I could stop myself, I blurted, “You’re charming as hell when you’re cranky.”
His brows went up. “Oh?”
“I mean it’s incongruent with your refinement and expensive clothes and your perfect…face.”
Dear God, shoot me now.
But the awkward train had left the station and there was no stopping it.
“It’s why a super macho guy holding a basket of kittens is cute,” I continued, babbling like an idiot. “The two things seem incompatible which makes them more endearing.”
“Fascinating,” Ambri said, though his smirk was close to becoming an actual smile. “Your mind works in mysterious ways, Cole Matheson.”
“Tell me about it,” I muttered, mortification climbing up my neck. But it wasn’t me, it was him. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had scrambled my brain so much. If ever.
“Shall we?” Ambri held the door to the café open.
“Why not?” I muttered. “I can’t say anything worse.”
He grinned. “Let’s find out.”
thirteen
We enter the place that is like stepping into a Parisian café. Memories batter me, but I welcome them. I’d spoken truly when I told Cole I needed the reminder. Around him, I’m becoming disturbingly soft—not a word I ever want associated with me.
He orders a coffee and a croissant, then reaches into his pocket for cash.
