Baby? I asked.
That’s hardly a term suitable for a male.
Hmm. Punkin?
One sable eyebrow rose. I kissed it.
OK, then, you suggest a name. What about something in German?
German isn’t a language that lends itself easily to love names.
Italian, then?
He thought for a moment. There’s caro .
That’s like what? “Dear”?
Yes.
What else?
He looked thoughtful. I don’t know. I don’t usually have call to find pet names for men.
Well, how about if we do it this way-if you were going to call me something, what would it be?
Beloved.
Something a little more meaningful than that.
Heat shimmered in his eyes. There is nothing more meaningful to a Dark One than that.
I kissed the corner of his mouth. It was just a little kiss, but it was enough to start the slumbering fire within me. If I were a normal human woman . . . what would you call me then?
Tesorina mia.
Which means?
My little treasure.
Treasure, hmm? Is there a male version?
Tesoro.
I rolled it around my mind a few times. That’s pretty good. Nothing else?
He hesitated a moment. Amore.
Ah. My gaze dropped to his mouth. I didn’t need help translating that word. Tempted as I was to use it, I didn’t want to put him in the position that he had to acknowledge that my growing emotions were more or less unrequited. Tesoro it is, then.
I got off his lap and went to visit the bathroom, my body burning for him while my mind yelled at me for wanting something that he couldn’t give.
“Pia?”
Magda’s voice interrupted my trip down memory lane.
“Yes?”
“You haven’t heard a word I said, have you? You looked like you were a million miles away.”
“Sorry. Just wondering if this little jaunt to Germany is going to give the vampires the slip.”
The look she gave me was part exasperation, part affection. “That’s exactly what I was asking you about.”
“You didn’t have to come-” I started to say, feeling guilty once again that their vacation was turning into an endurance bout of globe-hopping.
“Oh, hush, we had that out last night. Since Mattias is now evidently your love puppy, with the emphasis on the ‘puppy,’ then I figured we’d be going to Iceland next.”
“Yes. Except I think Kristoff might want you guys to act as a decoy.”
“Decoy? Oh, to lead the vamps off your trail?”
“Exactly. Although they have to know we’d go to Iceland. Maybe we should talk to Kristoff. I don’t really remember all he said. I was kind of busy flashing light at Mattias.”
“We’ll let Ray have his beauty sleep,” Magda said, getting to her feet. “Let’s confab with the man.”
“Sounds good. It’ll give me a chance to try out the new pet name I have for him.”
“You found one?”
“Yes. It’s Italian,” I said rather smugly. “I haven’t used it yet, but this would be a good opportunity to see how it feels.”
“Italian! How exotic. I should have something like that for Ray.”
I nudged her with my elbow. “You’re Hispanic, silly! Surely there are oodles of Spanish love names.”
“Bah. Spanish isn’t nearly as exotic as Italian is. OK, you’re up. Let’s hear this great endearment.”
“We’ve come to talk game plan . . . er . . . Kristoff.” My sentence trailed away lamely as he lowered the magazine he was reading so I could crawl over his legs to my seat.
Magda sat on the arm of the seat opposite him, shaking her head. “Chicken.”
My shoulders slumped.
Kristoff gave me an odd look. “What is it you are accused of being afraid of?”
“It’s the pet name you gave me. Well, not gave me, but gave me to use for you. I can’t do it. It just doesn’t feel right.”
“Ah,” he said, clearly not bothered in the least.
“Maybe you should forgo exotic and stick to something you’re more comfortable with,” Magda suggested. “Did you try plain old ‘honey’?”
We both looked at Kristoff. He rolled his eyes. “No,” I said at the same time Magda shook her head.
“Agreed. He’s not the ‘honey’ type. How about . . .” She tapped a finger to her chin. “ ‘Angel’?”
“Definitely not,” Kristoff said, going back to his magazine.