Playing With Fire

Chapter Eleven

Maverick found me sweaty and angry ten minutes later. Hitting the heavy bag hanging from the ceiling in the corner of the converted dinning room had only stoked my frustration. I didn't understand the emotions I was feeling. For so long I had skated by, subject to my short temper, but feeling nothing. Now I was a ball of rage and discontent and I didn't. know. why. I punctuated each word with the noise of my wrapped knuckles striking the leather exterior of the bag.

"You have decent form." I ignored the Male behind me. I had better than decent form. "We have to come to some sort of agreement, Delany."

I didn't like his sudden use of my name and the familiarity that came with it. Thwack. I hit the bag again.

"I'm sorry for my over reactions." He tried again.

I whirled around panting to take in the Male in front of me. His posture was relaxed and his hands were open palms toward me in the universal symbol for 'I mean you no harm'. I was becoming concerned that somehow Castiel and Maverick had swapped bodies and the Male was currently stomping around the Guild in Castiel's suited figure causing general ruckus and mayhem, and Castiel was here trying to convince me to play nice.

"Unless you wish to be a vampire's evening meal then this needs to be resolved." Even his tone was bland and non confrontational. I eyed the Male up and down and unhurriedly began unwrapping my hands, letting the slightly bloody tape fall to the floor. I walked toward the large Male deliberately, focusing my attention wholly on him. Watching his every breath.

He didn't back up, but ever so slightly tensed when I was within reach. I circled him slowly, stalking him like Keira would. His shoulders began to tighten, but then visibly relaxed. His breathing was even. I leaned in slowly to sniff the side of his neck. Male. A forest. Damp green growing things. Static in the air after a lightening strike. And heat. Underneath the calm exterior a fire was burning.

I completed my circle and leaned back to look the Male in his eyes. I saw the spark he was trying to stifle and I fought myself. Let it go. I blew out a slow breath and stepped back out of his personal space and stuck out my hand.

Maverick looked down to my outstretched hand, at the split knuckles that had already healed, and the scars that flecked my fingers. His large callused hand was warm as it slowly closed around mine. His palm dwarfed my own. He pumped once, up then down, and slowly drew his hand away from mine his fingers trailing across my palm. I stifled a shiver.

"Ceasefire?" Try, Delany. You have to try or everyone perishes.

The Male nodded and tucked his hands into the front pockets of his dark wash jeans. I could imagine the amount of effort he was expending to seem so relaxed, because I had a feeling it was similar to mine.

We ended up sitting across from each other at the kitchen table. Each of us with a hand wrapped around a cold beer. I would have preferred whiskey, but the beer would keep me level headed. Keira was dozing on the couch in the living room and Flo was doing her best to appear unintrusive. My short fingernails clacked rhythmically against the cold glass of the bottle as I waited for the Male to say something.

"Let's start by just having a conversation."

He made it sound so easy.

"About what?"

"What's your favorite color?" The Male asked me.

"Indigo." I spoke without thinking. Indigo? Hadn't my favorite color always been green?

"Your turn."

"My turn what?"

"To ask me a question. Nothing too in-depth."