Bite Me
Page 41

Livy knew shed eventually tell Vic what was going on, but not until she knew what she wanted to do. And, at the moment, she had absolutely no idea.
Im starving, she told him. Id love some Chinese food.
Vic eyed her suspiciously. After a few seconds, he said, Theres Honey Panda Inn. They deliver. And have a really good General Tsos Honey Chicken.
Livy held her arms up and away from her body. Now how do we say no to that?
Vic paid the giant panda and took the large box filled with food. Closing the door with his foot, he walked into the kitchen.
Livy, now thankfully back in her jeans, boots, and a cub-sized Honeyville T-shirt that reached down to her thighs, was pouring two glasses of white wine after discovering the wine fridge tucked between the dishwasher and the cabinet filled with local honeys.
Placing the box down on the counter, Vic briefly studied Livy. Are you sure you should be drinking?
You dont like girls who drink?
No, no. Its not that. Its just . . . youre healing. Liquor can mess with that. Especially if you get the fever tonight.
What fever?
Vic blinked, faced Livy. The fever. The fever that every shifter gets when they heal from a traumatic injury. It allows us to heal from horrific injuries, sometimes within twenty-four hours. You know . . . the fever.
Oh. Yeah. Heard about that. We dont get that. You got two options with honey badgers: kill us or get ready to keep fighting until youre too tired to fight anymore.
You were injured during the joust. I saw the
Livy took a gulp from her wineglass while lifting her T-shirt at the same time. And she was right. All those horrifying-looking bruises that had made him worry she had internal bleeding and hed either have to rush her to the local hospital or shed be dead by morning were fading away.
He also saw that Livys bra seemed to have faded away, as well.
Vic swiftly focused on the cabinets rather than Livys perfect tits before he snarled, Livy, where the hell is your bra?
I took it off. It was too constricting. She set down her wineglass. Thats a good Riesling. You should try some.
Thinking wine was just what he needed to take the edge off, Vic was taking a step toward the other side of the kitchen so he could get the wine shed poured for him, when Livy suddenly held up her hand.
Stop.
Vic did, immediately scanning the room and area for trouble. It was in his training.
The light in this kitchen is amazing.
The light?
Yeah. It really highlights your great cheekbone structure.
That made Viclaugh.
What?
Just wondering if I might have missed my calling as a supermodel.
Livy smirked at Vics remark. Youre way too big for that.
Thank you very much.
Not an insult. Those male models are surprisingly thin and not nearly as tall as you. I used to work for a fashion photographer one summer and I was way unimpressed with the models.
You wanted to be a fashion photographer? You?
Ill just assume that youre not talking about my wonderful fashion sense and assume you mean my general distaste for people obsessed with themselves.
I mean both.
And I worked in almost every area of photography when I was in high school. Even things I would never consider doing long term, just so that I knew what it was like. What it was about. And if there were ways I could twist it to my purposes.
Theres the Livy Goal Im used to hearing about.
Livy picked up the extra glass of wine and walked over to Vic. She handed it to him and continued to study his face.
Youre making me uncomfortable.
Youre always uncomfortable, Livy muttered.
Not always.
Huh, she finally said.
What?
Im just sorry I dont have my camera with me. Between the lighting and
Hold that thought! Vic suddenly told her before putting his wine down and rushing out of the room.
Livy shook her head and sipped her wine. Such a strange man sometimes, she murmured.
A few seconds later, Vic returned, placing Livys digital SLR camera on the kitchen island.
Livy stared at the camera, then looked back at Vic. Why? she asked as she placed her wineglass on the island.
Because Honeyville is beautiful in the winter. So I grabbed it from your office at the Sports Center. Thought you might get inspired out here, and I wanted you to be ready. And I was right!
Then he grinned at her. A grin so wide and beautiful and earnest, Livy didnt know what to think. Although what blew her away was how well hed handled getting her camera to her. He didnt push it on her as soon as she got in the car or when they parked near the honey store. He didnt brag about it or gloat. He didnt order her to do it. He just brought her camera . . . in case.
In case.
Which meant that he was leaving it up to her. No pushing involved.
Her family was all about pushing. And, to be honest, so was Toni. Although for Toni it was pushing Livy to do the right thing as opposed to getting her to learn better pickpocketing techniques.