Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

“Yes, but have you noticed my biceps? I’ve been told
they’re impressive.”
The playfulness in his voice makes me cock my head. “Are
you flirting with me?”
“You sound as surprised as I did when I found out you
bake cookies.”
“It’s just that you change moods like I change shoes. I’ve
never met someone who could go from smoldering to silly so
fast.”
“Silly?” He sounds disgusted. “I’ve never been silly in my
life.”
“Too macho, huh?”
“Way too macho. As you can tell.”
I have to laugh, because he’s flirting with me again. A
lighthearted Kage is not something I expected. “You’re in a
good mood today.”
“You called. You asked me out on a date. You’re obviously
helpless against my many, many charms—”
“Let’s not get carried away.”
“—which means my plan is working perfectly.”
“What plan is that?”
He does another about-face, going from playful to
scorchingly sexy as quick as two fingers snapping. He growls,
“Making you mine.”
I decide this is a good time to sit down. I sink into a chair
at the table and moisten my lips. My pulse is a roar like
crashing ocean waves in my ears.
“You’re not saying anything.”
“Just recalibrating.”
“You already know I’m very direct.”
“What I didn’t know is that there’s no warning. I’m never
ready for it. We’ll be going along at a normal speed, talking
like two semi-strangers—”