Power Trip(12)

“Is that what happens when people touch you?”

“Usually. It takes a lot of effort to keep my electrons under control. Mostly, I keep my skin covered and my hands to myself.”

“But I touched you and only felt a little hum. Why is that?”

“I don’t know.” He sounded thoughtful. “Here, take this exit.”

She turned off the highway and followed his directions until they pulled into a dark driveway. She slowed to go over a small bridge. They went up and around three winding curves before pulling through an elaborate set of wrought iron gates. She stopped the car in front of a sprawling two-story brick and siding house with a four bay garage. It was completely dark.

Her stomach tightened. She knew nothing about this man other than he was capable of killing with his power and her brother trusted him, which actually was saying something because Jake didn’t trust anybody, especially with her.

Cal got out of the car and walked around to open her door. She also knew he had good manners. She slid out of the car and stood next to him. And that he made her skin hum in a pleasant and distracting way. He made her feel…lively, that was the perfect word for the way her heart was thumping blood through her veins. But that didn’t mean she should go into the house with him. It had been a weird night, and it promised to get weirder unless she got back in the car and drove home, which was getting less likely every minute.

He reached around her to shut the car door. Then his hand touched her lower back again and she could feel it through her clothes, a little hum between them. He did feel like a vibrator, and she wanted to wiggle around and put him in just the right spot. Lord knows she had done enough of that over the years as boyfriend after boyfriend came up with a reason why it wasn’t her, it was them. It was impossible to believe them, of course. It had to be her. But if she had something else in her life, like talent, she wouldn’t care. He seemed so certain she wasn’t normal. Could Cal help her discover a hidden gift?

She allowed him to usher her to his front door, where he removed his gloves and touched a metal plate set into the brick. She heard bolts slide. He opened the door. “Allow me to go first.” He stepped into the darkness and the hall filled with light.

“You don’t believe in leaving a light on for your return home?”

“I suppose I could, but I’d have to re-wire the house. The floor is made out of conductive tile and my shoes have metal in them. I am the light in this house.” He walked down the hall and she watched lights illuminate his path.

“Whoa,” she said, gingerly stepping into the house but being careful to stay on the hall rug. “Is it safe?”

“I won’t bore you with the intricacies of molecular structure, but yes, that’s the tricky part of my research. Creating a material that has enough resistance to be safe for normal bare feet, yet conducts electrons well enough to carry a current. You are perfectly safe in my home.” His eyes glowed with blue fire. “In every way.”

He held out his hand and she took it, biting back the moan that leapt into her throat at his touch. Was it the electricity that was making her so responsive? If so, she was going to buy a dozen electric blankets when she got home.

“You feel that too?” His eyes held an arrested expression.

“I feel a very pleasant buzz. It makes me feel, um, energetic.” Like jumping your bones and having wild, swinging chandelier, monkey sex. “Restless, but kind of cheerful,” she finished, as they entered a kitchen. Dim light began to glow from recessed bulbs in the ceiling. No chandeliers, thank God.

He let go of her hand and leaned against the counter. “Touching you makes me feel drunk. I haven’t unintentionally touched bare skin without causing someone pain since I came into my powers. I am terrified. Elated. And incredibly aroused. Are you hungry?” he asked, abruptly switching subjects.

She shook her head, feeling dazed.

“Thirsty?”

“I’d love a glass of water.” To pour over my head.

He pulled a glass from a cupboard and opened the refrigerator. He poured water from a pitcher. Scientific curiosity forced her to ask, “What happens if you get water on your skin?”

“Nothing, if the water is electrically neutral. Sparks sometimes, if it has minerals or impurities in it. It depends on how juiced I am.”

“How juiced are you now?”

His voice was rueful. “About as wired as I’ve ever been in my life.”

His answer gave her pleasure. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the glass.

“You’re welcome. It’s the least I can do to thank you for the ride.”