I was almost giddy with happiness as I counted today’s earnings. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Both Panda and JJ showed themselves that they knew how to deal with customers, though their attitudes were like heaven and earth. While Panda was all business, JJ, apparently, made it his goal to charm each of the few people who entered the shop today.

Now Panda and Kirill left, leaving only JJ to hang around. With how noiselessly he moved, it was easy to forget about his presence when I focused on other things.

“It’s a pleasure to see you so happy again, ma chèrie.”

This time, I didn’t jump. I was getting used to this. I didn’t even turn away from the cash I was packing. “And you are saying this why?”

With a corner of my eye, I saw him standing on the other side of the counter from me, his chin propped up on his elbow. “This glint in your eyes makes you even more beautiful. But I liked the jealous looks you sent me as well, ma chèrie…”

I snapped my head up so sharply I heard something crunch in my neck. “Huh? What you talking about?”

He leaned a little forward, his green cat-like eyes hooded. I noticed his face looked much more fleshed-out now than it was when he first stepped out from his coffin. It really pumped up his handsomeness. His features were still sharp and defined, but now JJ didn’t resemble an anorexic.

“The way you glared at me each time I smiled at Svetlana, of course. Did you think I missed it?”

I blushed a little from the compliment, before the meaning of his words clicked in my head. I crossed my hands on my chest and raised my chin up. “What, is there something wrong with me glaring at you? You were looking at her like you were going to eat her.”

“So defensive.” JJ’s smile widened until I could see a glimpse of his fangs. “You don’t need to be. I don’t have any intention to pursue other women until I get you.”

I gasped at his shamelessness. “Are you for real?”

“Had I ever lied to you?”

The question made me pause. I couldn’t remember any instances of his lies, but… “No, but you avoid, like, three quarters of my questions. And either way, this wasn’t the point! I wasn’t asking if you were honest about your words, I was asking if you really were so shameless!”

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JJ chuckled, the sound pouring out of him like a caress on my ears and a balm on my sound. I thought about recording it.

“Why I should be ashamed about my goals?”

I pursed my lips. “Well, if I assume right, you want me to sleep with you and-slash-or let you drink from me. Probably only once. I thought in your time sleeping with a girl with no intent of marrying her was considered dishonourable.”

“Oh, ma chèrie…” He gave me half-amused and half-patronised look that suddenly made him look all his centuries of age. “When you will live as long as I do, you will find out that the only honour life often allows to men is to be truthful about their sins.”

JJ didn’t say ‘yes’ out loud, but his lack of denial was the all confirmation I needed. I should’ve probably felt more distasteful than I did, but even if I did my best to not show it, I appreciated the honesty.

“That doesn’t make it much better, you know,” I grumbled. “Either way, I’m not going to even touch you. I’d frigging freeze to death.”

JJ nodded at that, looking me over with a contemplative glint in his eyes. “Indeed. You should find a mentor who will teach you what your relatives should have.”

“And even if, when, I do,” and that won’t be soon, because I had better things to do at the moment, “I still won’t touch you, JJ. I have standards, you know. Feeelings. You should switch your target on to someone easier. Really, why did you pick me of all people? Don’t tell me it’s just because I was the first one you’ve seen after waking up.”

“You have bewitching looks, my ignorant witch, and a strong character. You were much less shocked and afraid of your first meeting with supernatural than many tempered men I’ve met. And unlike many other women, I see you aren’t someone who will lust after any well-shaped body. Then, I wouldn’t be able to glamour you if I wanted to. Finally, your aversion of my touch even when you are attracted to my body is…” he shook his head. “I have no words for it.”

I stared at him like he just grew another head. Besides the parts I didn’t understand, what JJ said… “So basically, it’s because it’s so impossible for you to seduce me, is it? You do realise that you only make your task harder right now?”

“But that’s the whole point, ma chèrie! The longer the chase, the sweeter the prize.” JJ’s smile turned positively sly, but damn if it didn’t make butterflies fly in my stomach.

“Oh yeah? Does it make so much difference?”

JJ’s smile dimmed for a moment, his expression turning somewhere between nostalgic and sorrowful. “Long life can be both a blessing and a curse. Boredom killed more vampires than silver. In the beginning, I really didn’t care so much, but now? Now I find the pursuit is the best part of any conquest. So I see no reason to hide my motives from you, ma chèrie… It will only make everything more interesting.

Apparently, normal difficulty mode didn’t cut it for him anymore. He went right for the ultra hardcore one. Yet, I could also feel a pang of something… not quite pity, but close. I couldn’t even imagine how empty the life could be when every part of it became an overused cliche you saw a thousand times.

But I shook that feeling away and narrowed my eyes. No pity sex for him, that’s for sure. Besides, from JJ’s words, the best thing I could do is to make his chase end only with my death.

“What I will keep refusing? Forever?”

“Well,” JJ clicked his tongue, “then this will be a first.”