Undying Hunger

Ch. 7: Not if it's ugly

After living for so long and surviving so much tragedy, nothing could ever shock Dante Ventura again.

But.

How silly of him to forget about Reid Harper, a person created in Hell and sent back to earth to kill him. It wasn't medically possible for a vampire to die from an aneurism, but Reid was certainly creative in his assassination attempts. For fun, Reid might try to compel Dante into a stroke or maybe a heart attack.

Anything to get the job done.

It was probably Dante's deserved karmic retribution.

Panic ripped through Dante, and he grabbed Reid's jacket, jerking it closed to conceal the potions he just stole from Dante's greatest threat. Dante pulled too hard, causing Reid to stumble and smack his cheek into his chest.

"What was..." Reid's head snapped up, a glare loaded and ready to be aimed, but Reid disarmed himself, realizing the proximity he had with Dante. Something Dante noticed too. He smelled pretty good for someone who was going on a fake date with his ex-boyfriend.

Reid swallowed nervously, and Dante couldn't help but watch his Adam's apple bob. His eyes slithered up Reid's face, hitting his green eyes again. The line between hate and desire always blurred for them. All his frustration could snap his bones into kindling and set Dante on fire, but that fire burning between them also shared the same passion that made Dante want to kiss Reid into silence. As much as he wanted to wring Reid's neck, Dante also wanted to hold him again.

Dante spoke low, a guttural sound that matched the awakened beast in his pants. "What am I going to do with you?"

Blushing, all Reid could do was blink and stare back while Dante suppressed a smile, reminding himself that he should be furious right now. He continued to hold onto Reid's jacket, a realization that just dawned on the red head too.

"I'm not your problem," Reid grumbled back, grabbing Dante's wrists.

"You are, if all you're going to do is make stupid decisions that put you in danger."

Reid's grip tightened. "If I'm in danger, then get me out of here."

Sighing, Dante released Reid's jacket, only to snatch up his hand. He pulled Reid towards the exit when someone called Dante's name. "Your Majesty, Dante?"

Both men stiffened, but Dante quickly collected his cool. Turning around, he flashed one of his more impressive smiles. "Yes?"

One of the art gallery attendants, a young girl, appeared with a gold gift bag, handing it over with a small bow. "I would hate for you to leave with your ring."

"Thank you," Dante said, heat pouring into his face. He had totally forgotten.

"You bought a ring?" Reid asked, even though he knew the answer. When Dante just pulled him to the doors, Reid reframed his question. "Who did you buy a ring for?"

"I just needed an excuse to speak with Tabitha," Dante explained, as if he hadn't thought of Reid the entire time he was admiring the ring. "It was your idea."

"So, who's getting it?"

Sighing again, Dante shoved the gold bag into Reid's hand and pushed the doors open. "Happy?"

Reid shrugged. "Not if it's ugly."

They walked into the night air, waving down a valet. A young man recognized him immediately and already took off for his car. Dante glanced behind Reid at the door, waiting for someone to appear. Retrieving the gift and, most likely personally prosecuting, the thief was assigned to someone from Cain's coven.