But afterward, they had transitioned into what Americans called friends with benefits. When the loneliness grew too burdensome or whenever they simply desired a little physical contact, they gave each other a call. A comfortable and convenient arrangement.
Ethan pursed his lips. “Could we turn it into a booty call after I help you with whatever you need me to help you with?”
She smiled. “I don’t think so.”
“Damn.” He loosed a half-sigh, half-groan that went on so long it nearly made her laugh. “All right. I’m over it. What do you need?”
She hesitated. “It’s . . . delicate.”
His face lit with curiosity. “Okay.”
“And could potentially be dangerous.” How the hell was she going to explain this?
“Okay.”
“By dangerous, I mean it will likely piss off Seth if he finds out,” she clarified.
A moment passed. “Okay.”
That was it. Just okay.
It was a damned shame she didn’t love him. At least not the way she still suspected he loved her. He would do anything for her.
“Come with me.” She headed for the hallway and the door to the basement.
“Where’s Tracy?” he asked.
“At David’s. She’ll be spending the day there.”
“At your request?”
“No.”
“Does she know about whatever is going on?”
“No.”
“Okay.” He said nothing more until they reached her bedroom.
Lisette stood quietly beside him, fighting the urge to chew a thumbnail, as he stared down at Zach for several long minutes.
“Where’s the shovel?” he asked.
“The shovel?” she repeated, confused.
“Yeah. You want me to bury him, right?”
Her eyebrows flew up. “What? No. He isn’t dead.”
“He isn’t? I don’t hear a heartbeat.”
“It’s there. The pauses between are just very long.”
“Oh. Right. There it is. I just heard one.” Another moment passed. “So, who is he?”
Lisette frowned up at Ethan. “Wait. What exactly did you think had happened here?”
He shrugged. “I figured you must have brought a mortal home, gotten carried away, and accidentally killed him.”
“During sex?” she asked incredulously.
“He is half naked,” he pointed out. “And you said Seth would be pissed. You know how protective Seth is of mortals. He does not react well when an immortal inadvertently kills one.”#p#分页标题#e#
“When have you ever known me to engage in rough sex?”
“Quebec. 1985.”
She opened her mouth, paused, thought about it, then nodded. “Okay. You’re forgiven.”
He sent her a sly glance from the corner of his eye. “For 1985?”
She unsuccessfully fought a smile. “No.”
He laughed. “Then for what?”
“For drawing the freakiest conclusion you could draw from this situation.”
Still grinning, he shrugged. “It was inevitable. I have sex on the brain tonight.”
“So I noticed.” After another minute, she nudged him with her shoulder. “I can’t believe you were just going to grab a shovel and bury the body, no questions asked.”
Again he shrugged. “You know I’d do anything for you. What’s this guy’s story, anyway? What do you want me to do?”
“Patch him up?” she asked hopefully.
“Why would that piss off Seth? Like I said, he loves mortals.”
Lisette motioned to Zach. “He isn’t mortal, Ethan. Did you fail to notice his wings?”
“Those are real?”
“Yes.”
“Then he’s immortal. Why would patching him up anger Seth? Seth is even more protective of us than he is of humans.”
She bit her lip. “Seth isn’t terribly fond of him.”
“Meaning . . .”
“All evidence points to him being on Seth’s shit list.”
Ethan whistled. “So you thought you’d try living dangerously for a while.”
Now she shrugged.
His look turned discerning. “Like him a bit, do you?”
Sometimes she thought Ethan knew her even better than her brothers did.
Her gaze shifted to Zach as she debated whether or not she should speak the truth, then back to Ethan. “I don’t know. I’m . . . drawn to him. I don’t know why.”
Had she not been paying such close attention, she would have missed the tiny muscle that flexed in Ethan’s jaw.
His gaze slid to Zach. “Lucky bastard.”
“Ethan—”
“Let me see what Tracy has in her medic bag.” Spinning on his heel, he left the room.
Perhaps this hadn’t been such a good idea.
Returning, Ethan sat on the edge of the bed and started digging through Tracy’s first-aid bag.