101
" He’s an immortal from Brazil,” Chris said. “His mortal lover, whom he thought was completely trustworthy, videotaped them having sex—”
“Awesome!” Sheldon interjected with a grin.
Everyone looked at him.
“What? I like porn.”
Still they stared.
He frowned. “I have to give up booze, parties, and porn? Can’t a Second have any vices?”
Chris sighed. “Anyway. She videotaped them having sex and intended to auction it off to news outlets once it had been authenticated by an expert who would swear the glowing eyes, fangs, and . . . ah . . . unusual speed and other things demonstrated were not special effects produced by a post-production house.”
“Maybe they were,” Sheldon suggested somberly. “Maybe she was out to discredit him. I think we should all watch it and—”
“The tape has been destroyed,” Seth cut in.
“Damn.” Sheldon slumped down in his seat.
Chris met Richart’s gaze. “Anytime you want me to get rid of him . . .”
Richart shook his head. “He amuses me. "
― Dianne Duvall , Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians, #4)
102
" Adira squirmed in Leah’s arms, wanting down.
Leah lowered her until her little sneaker-clad feet touched the floor.
Adira toddled away, patting the garments that brushed her head and shoulders.
Straightening, Leah watched her for a moment, then turned back to Seth. “I guess I’ll get back to work.”
Was that disappointment he felt upon hearing her words? He really was enjoying her company.
Adira turned around and toddled back. Grasping Leah’s fingers, she reached out, took Seth’s hand, and placed Leah’s in it.
Seth instinctively curled his fingers around Leah’s.
Satisfied, Adira turned and toddled off once more.
“Oh,” Leah said with a surprised chuckle. “Well. Maybe not.”
Seth was surprised, too. What was Adira thinking?
He glanced at Leah. Should he apologize? “Sorry about that.”
“No worries,” she said with another charming smile. Raising their clasped hands, she turned them so his was on top and slid her free hand over it. “Oooh. Look how big your hand is.”
How many times had he heard Tracy or one of the other mortal women he frequently encountered think Oooh. Look how big his hands are. You know what they say: big hands, big feet, big package in much the same tone as Leah’s.
Seth couldn’t help it. He barked out a laugh.
Leah’s eyes widened. “Wait. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“It sounded as if you like that my hands are so big.”
She flushed. “I do, but I didn’t mean it like you think.”
“How do I think you meant it?” he asked with exaggerated innocence.
Face red, she laughed. “Stop making me blush. I just meant I like that you’re so big. Not just your hands. But all over.” Again her eyes widened. “I mean, not all over, but—”
Laughing, he took pity on her. “It’s all right. I understood what you meant the first time.”
Smiling, she squinted up at him. “You like to tease, don’t you?”
“Guilty as charged.” Many immortals did. It helped lighten what could otherwise be a dark existence.
She caressed his hand again, sending little tingles through it. “My hand actually looks small in yours. That’s so cool.”
It did. And the sensations her soft touch inspired unnerved him a bit. His pulse even picked up.
Seth eyed her curiously. “You really dislike your size so much?” He thought it a shame. She was a beautiful woman.
Shrugging, she released his hand and let hers fall to her sides. “When someone gives you a complex in high school, it tends to stick with you.”
Adira reappeared as if by magic. Taking Leah’s hand, she again placed it in Seth’s, then moved away.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Leah nodded after Adira. “Maybe she’s hoping I’ll distract you so she can take her time looking over the toys she plans to coax you into buying before you leave.”
Seth winked. “Or maybe she just heard you say you like my big hands. "
― Dianne Duvall , Death of Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #9)
113
" Tonight, when the walls started closing in on me, I figured a drive in the country might be nice because I couldn’t think of anything else to do. Then I got here, you opened the door, and I thought: Oh crap, he’s going to think I’m a total stalker.”
“Not at all.” Seth raised their clasped hands and grinned. “I merely assumed you wanted to see my big hands again.”
Laughing, she gave his shoulder a shove. “You’re such a tease!”
His heart lightened. “Admitted without shame.”
“Well, I’ll forgive you,” she quipped, “because you’re letting me hold your hand.” Drawing their clasped hands closer to her face, she cupped her free hand over them and smoothed circles over his as she assumed a comical expression of amazement. “Oooooooh. So big,” she breathed.
Seth laughed. "
― Dianne Duvall , Death of Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #9)
120
" Everything within him went still. “Segonian courtship rituals?” he repeated softly. “Why would you wish to know more about that?”
She sighed. “Because I couldn’t find anything about it in your informational databases, and I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.” Reaching up, she rested her small hands on his stubbled cheeks, then rose onto her toes and drew him down for a kiss.
His heart stuttered to a halt, then began to slam against his ribs. The first gentle brush of her lips hit him like an electrical current. His breath caught. Hers did, too. She drew back a fraction to stare up at him with wide eyes that acquired an amber glow.
Then Dagon slid his arms around her and locked her against him. Dipping his head, he claimed her lips with greater urgency, letting her feel the heat that had been flaying him inside ever since she had walked onto his bridge, fully recovered from her wounds, and drawn him into a hug. "
― Dianne Duvall , The Segonian (Aldebarian Alliance, #2)
