Kat seriously considered asking Nex to buy her more wine but she was afraid of what he'd ask for in return. Not because she was afraid of him so much as she didn't trust herself around him. He seemed to know exactly what to say and how to touch and how to reach some new part of her... It was disarming.

Still, she had a long day thanks to rehearsing and having to be around Ashley for several hours. She was on her way out the door when a pair of hands grabbed her and pulled her back into a closet. The culprit spun her around and she breathed a sigh of relief mixed with disappointment when she saw it was Jason.

Her feelings were confused. She couldn't figure out what she felt except she knew part of what she felt with Nex wasn't okay. He wouldn't be around forever, he was just waiting to get out of her life, trying to get out of this realm, trying to push her buttons so she would just send him home. Letting her confusing feelings for him grow would only lead to more heartbreak when he inevitably left and after everything she'd lost the past year, it was too much. She already felt an incredible emptiness inside since her parents died and if she got close to Nex and he left, that void would only grow and she couldn't stand to feel more alone than she already did.

Her heart was already broken enough and letting him get close to her to break it further was more than she could handle.

So she threw herself into her relationship with Jason and tried very hard to shut out anything she felt for the demon she slept with every night.

"Hey, gorgeous," Jason said, leaning his head down and pressing a brief kiss against her lips.

"Hi," Kat answered, bringing her hands around to the back of his head.

"You did great today. You looked so good up there. You're a natural on the stage," he said, pulling her into a deeper kiss.

Their intimacy had increased over the last several dates. Several times they'd been parked in her driveway making out before she went inside and avoided Nex like the plague. Partially because he tended to be in an extra terrible mood when she got home from dates and partly because unfortunately, he was a better kisser than Jason but she didn't want him to know that. Things had gotten weirder between them when Jason asked her to officially be his girlfriend.

Nex didn't stay home that night.

Jason's hands slid down into her back pockets, pulling her against him as his tongue slipped between her lips. She met his tongue with hers, gaining a little more confidence in kissing. He groaned and pressed her back into the wall, moving his lips down to her neck.

One of his hands slid up and under her shirt, caressing her back before circling around and cupping her breast. They'd already made it to this point but it still made Kat nervous. Nervous because she wasn't sure how to proceed normally in a relationship and it was all so new she couldn't help but feel awkward.

His hand slid down to her jeans then her thigh, getting awfully close to a part of her that seemed to be awakened when Nex showed up. She breathed a little harsher and he brought his head up, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I was thinking," he said, his hand sliding between her thighs, not quite touching her. "Why don't we have dinner at my place tomorrow night instead of going out? I'll make it really special," he said, kissing her neck again. "Maybe you could even... Stay the night?"

Kat's eyes widened, wondering if that meant... She considered it. Was she ready? They hadn't been dating that long but according to Frida, most people hooked up after three dates and they'd been on ten. She thought about what Nex said and how it was awfully close to advice Frida gave her years ago. Just get it over with, the first time is always awkward. Then you can learn to enjoy it after the first time is done.

Jason brought his head up again, looking in her eyes and waiting for an answer. Kat took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay. That sounds good," she agreed.

"Great," Jason said, squeezing her thigh and pressing another kiss to her lips. "I'll make it really nice, I promise."

Kat smiled and nodded, having a little harder time getting into it when he kissed her again as nerves took over her body.

If she thought that part was hard, what was harder was how she was now standing in a lingerie store, having no idea what was sexy or what she should wear on their date the next night. She sent a couple pictures to Frida who of course still thought it was for Nex and knew nothing about Jason. Frida gave her some pointers and she ended up with a red lacey bra and matching underwear. She felt weird picking it out and even weirder buying it, making a point to hide it in her messenger bag so Nex wouldn't see her walking in with a bag from a lingerie store.

Between stressing about Nex and stressing about tomorrow night and Ashley being Ashley, Kat was feeling incredibly anxious. She didn't drink often but today she felt like it. That and she'd been drinking more since Nex arrived. They often had drinking game nights with Marcus and Lucian. Just Marcus and Lucian. For reasons unbeknownst to Kat, Nex didn't throw another party like the one that night she ended up spending most the night in his lap.

She made it home and wasn't surprised Marcus and Lucian were there. They'd been spending more time there but Nex's plan backfired, she didn't mind having the company. The house had been unbearably quiet since her parents died so she welcomed their presence.

"Hey, Kat," Marcus greeted when she walked in, never taking his eyes off the TV.

"Hey," she answered, pausing and looking around. Lucian and Marcus were there but Nex wasn't. "Where's Nex?" She asked.

"Shower," Lucian answered, looking over at her. "He went on a mission with me today and it got a little... messy."

"I thought he couldn't hurt anyone unless I tell him," Kat frowned in confusion.

"He can't physically hurt anyone," Lucian nodded. "He can only scare them. But I can and he got too close."

"Oh," Kat said, wrinkling her nose. "Did it... Go well?" She had no idea how to ask about this. They were basically talking about killing. She did learn they mostly killed bad people or people that were getting a little too close to the truth of what they were.

"It did," Lucian chuckled. "You don't have to ask. I know it creeps you out."

"I'm allowed to care about your day even if I don't get it," Kat shrugged. "I need to be in pajamas. I don't suppose you have any alcohol left at this point?"

"We do but you're a minor," Marcus said, feigning shock.

Kat narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "I dare you to try to keep me from the bottle today. It was a long day."

"I'll make you a drink," Marcus offered.

"Thanks," Kat smiled lightly, turning and heading into her room.

She dropped her messenger bag on the ground and scooted it under her side of the bed, hoping Nex wouldn't get nosy. She grabbed pajamas and changed into them in the closet so if Nex came out he wouldn't catch her changing. They crossed too many lines as it was.

Kat exited the closet at the same time Nex came out of the bathroom. Nex, only in a towel, his lean body on display, beads of water rolling down his abs and that v, dripping down to... Kat darted her eyes away and moved around him for the bathroom. Nex stepped aside but then grabbed her arm.

"What's wrong?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Nothing," Kat shrugged.

"Bullshit. What's wrong?" Nex repeated.

"I just had a long day. I don't want to talk about it, okay?" Kat said, pulling out of his hold and going into the bathroom.

When she came out to the living room again, Nex was in the kitchen cooking while the other two were still on the couch, watching TV. Kat walked past them to the kitchen, seeing a glass of wine next to a bottle of her favorite wine sitting on the counter.

"Where'd that come from?" Kat asked, pointing to the bottle.

"I picked it up," Nex answered.

"When?" Kat frowned.

"Just now," Nex shrugged.

"That fast?" Kat asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes, kitten, that fast," Nex sighed, grabbing the glass and turning towards her. He took her hand and placed the glass in it. "Relax. I've got dinner."

"Thank you," Kat said, looking at him curiously. "How did you do it so fast?"

"I move fast," Nex shrugged.

"Yeah but... What, no one cares a breeze moves by them that quickly?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. She'd noticed anytime he moved fast and stayed invisible, it didn't stop a breeze from passing by. "Doesn't that raise suspicion?"

"Not if I'm flying and hiding myself," Nex shrugged, picking up his glass of whiskey and taking a long drink.

"Flying? You can fly?" Kat asked, eyes widening.

"That is what I just said," Nex said, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms.

"Is it like Peter Pan?"

"Peter Pa-" Nex started then shook his head with a heavy sigh. "No, it's not like fucking Peter Pan."

"Well I've never seen you with wings," Kat pointed out.

"That's because I haven't been in my true form around you," Nex said, taking another drink of whiskey.

"Why not?" Kat frowned.

"It would scare the shit out of you, kitten. It's not pretty," Nex said, turning around and checking the food on the stove.

"I don't scare that easily. Show me," Kat said, tugging on his sleeve.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?" Kat pouted.

Nex glanced back and groaned at the sight of her pout, rolling his eyes. "Cut it out. Why do you want to see it anyway?"

"Because I want to see the real you," Kat shrugged.

"Trust me, kitten. You don't," Nex said flatly.

"I'll answer one of your deeply personal and intrusive questions if you show me," Kat offered.

"Any question?" Nex asked, turning to her with a mischievous smile.

"Don't make it a super gross one please," Kat sighed.

"Fine, kitten," he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You answer my question, I'll let you see me."

"Fine," Kat nodded.

"What's the dirtiest dream you've ever had where the participant was someone you were actually attracted to, a scenario you actually fantasized about after?" He asked, smirking.

"You knew I wouldn't answer that," Kat scowled, crossing her arms.

"I did indeed. And now I've got you to shut up," Nex admitted, turning back to cooking with a triumphant grin.

Kat glared at his back, feeling annoyed he won so easily. She drank the rest of the wine in her glass and set it down, glancing over at the other guys who seemed preoccupied enough. She stepped next to Nex and took a deep breath.

"I once had a dream about one of my dad's coworkers," Kat said quietly. "I had a dream that I went to his office and..." she paused, closing her eyes so she wouldn't have to see his reaction. "Andhebentmeoverhisdeskandtookmefrombehindwhileholdingmyhandsbehindmyback."

Nex's eyes widened and snapped over to her. Kat hid her face in her hands as the blush took over.

"Okay, your turn," she squeaked, peeking through her hands.

"You really fantasized about him taking you like that?" Nex asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He was very attractive and powerful and..." she trailed off, shaking her head. "It doesn't matter. I held up my end. Your turn."

"I didn't think you had it in you. You are not so innocent after all," Nex said, a smile growing. "So you do like the idea of being dominated."

"I didn't say I'd discuss it," Kat scowled. "Your turn. It's only fair," she said, crossing her arms.

"Fine," Nex growled. "I really didn't think you'd do it."

"I know," Kat said, feeling slightly better at her confession since she had turned the tables.

"Outside then, come on," Nex said, grabbing her hand and taking her out the back door.

Once they were out he turned to her and looked surprisingly nervous.

"I don't suppose I can talk you into literally anything else?" He tried.

"Why don't you want me to see you?" Kat asked, tilting her head to the side.

"I don't want to scare you, kitten," he sighed. "My true form has scared plenty of people."

"You won't scare me," Kat assured, gesturing for him to continue.

Nex sighed and dropped his head, closing his eyes. Several sickening cracks sounded and parts of him seemed to glow as black bat-like wings sprouted behind him and black horns emerged from his head. His nails turned to sharp claws and when he looked up at her, his eyes were blood red, his teeth sharper, skin paler.

Kat kept her surprise inside since he seemed so sensitive about it. She stepped forward and reached out, touching one of his wings. Nex stiffened at the contact and Kat withdrew her hand.

"Sorry, did I hurt you?" She asked.

"No," Nex breathed. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just... curious," she said, reaching out and touching his wing again, running her hand along it before reaching up and touching his horns. "It's pretty awesome," she shrugged.

"It's what?" Nex asked, frowning.

"I said it's pretty awesome," Kat said, stepping back and looking him over again. "You're so dramatic. It's not scary," she shrugged, running her fingers along his wing again. "Maybe it would be if I didn't know you and just rounded a corner and saw you but it's also scary when I round a corner and see any big dude I don't know."

Nex stared at her, completely flabbergasted. Kat smiled and he felt even more confused.

"Does it hurt? The cracking sounds painful," Kat frowned.

Nex opened his mouth to speak but no words would come out. He'd never been able to show himself to another person without getting a terrified reaction, unless it was another demon. But there she stood, seeming completely at ease. Her eyebrows raised at his silence and he finally found his voice.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "Not anymore. I've gotten used to it."

Kat made an 'o' with her mouth and smiled lightly again. Nex's urge to be with her grew even stronger. Tenderness wasn't something he got a lot of and she was full of it. Tender and sweet and innocent, everything he wasn't. He was growing more attached to her every day, craving that sweetness he'd never been on the receiving end for until her. He quickly shifted back and went inside, muttering about dinner as he passed by her, trying very hard to ignore how incredibly good she smelled today. Every day. Her scent was his favorite.