Сумерки

           ButIdidn’texpecttofeelmorethanthat.Ilikeit.Itmakesme...happy."Heshrugged,smilingslightly.

           "I’mglad,"Isaid,smilingback.I’dworriedthathemightregrettellingmethesethings.Itwasgoodtoknowthatwasn’tthecase.

           Butthen,ashiseyesdissectedmyexpression,hissmilefadedandhisforeheadcreased.

           "You’restillwaitingfortherunningandthescreaming,aren’tyou?"Iguessed.

           Afaintsmiletouchedhislips,andhenodded.

           "Ihatetoburstyourbubble,butyou’rereallynotasscaryasyouthinkyouare.Idon’tfindyouscaryatall,actually,"Iliedcasually.

           Hestopped,raisinghiseyebrowsinblatantdisbelief.Thenheflashedawide,wickedsmile.

           "Youreallyshouldn’thavesaidthat,"hechuckled.

           Hegrowled,alowsoundinthebackofhisthroat;hislipscurledbackoverhisperfectteeth.Hisbodyshiftedsuddenly,half-crouched,tensedlikealionabouttopounce.

           Ibackedawayfromhim,glaring.

           "Youwouldn’t."

           Ididn’tseehimleapatme-itwasmuchtoofast.Ionlyfoundmyselfsuddenlyairborne,andthenwecrashedontothesofa,knockingitintothewall.Allthewhile,hisarmsformedanironcageofprotectionaroundme-Iwasbarelyjostled.ButIstillwasgaspingasItriedtorightmyself.

           Hewasn’thavingthat.Hecurledmeintoaballagainsthischest,holdingmemoresecurelythanironchains.Iglaredathiminalarm,butheseemedwellincontrol,hisjawrelaxedashegrinned,hiseyesbrightonlywithhumor.

           "Youweresaying?"hegrowledplayfully.