perplexed look was epic.
“I thought you would be mad at her for killing him, so best I put him back in the cage and allow you to think he died naturally,” Daeliel said stiffly. “I, er, washed him before I did so.”
“You washed a dead guinea pig and put it back in its cage, so I didn’t get angry,” Ben said dazedly. “Wow. I don’t even know what to say to that.”
He looked from Tess to Daeliel, and his shoulders began to shake. At first, Daeliel thought he was crying. When Ben looked up again, the tears on his face fell in laughter, not grief.
“This is surreal. Oh my god. It’s too funny, no disrespect, Pookums, but if you were still here, you’d be chuckling too.” He went off in another hooting bout of merriment.
“I don’t think guinea pigs chuckle.” Daeliel scowled. Really, who knew what humans would do next? They were such unpredictable creatures. “However, I’m glad you find my lapse in judgment amusing.”
Ben wiped his eyes and rubbed his nose. “Sorry, but you have to admit, it’s hella funny.” His face softened. “Honestly? I think what you did was sweet, trying to protect Tess.” He nudged Daeliel’s arm with his elbow. “Seems you have quite the soft side to you.”
Daeliel sniffed. “I did what I thought was right.” As he said the words, echoes of Aether saying the same thing drifted into his memory. He forced them out. “Would you like me to redress my action?”
Ben looked at him with a frown. “What exactly does that mean?” He opened the cage and reached inside, picking Pookums up gently and cradling the little body in his hands. “If you mean do I want to put him back where he should be, I’ll do it.” The reverence with which Ben treated his pet almost brought a lump to Daeliel’s throat. He swallowed to make it go away.
Ben walked toward the open back door and the garden. “I’ll lay him to rest—again—and then we can discuss what we’re having for dinner. I thought perhaps we’d order in some Chinese?”
“That would be fine,” Daeliel said, his mouth watering at the thought of a little garlic shrimp and some soy sauce noodles.
Ben nodded and disappeared into the darkening evening.
***
“As you’re my guest, tell me about yourself,” Ben mumbled as he shovelled another mouthful of delicious moo shoo pork into his mouth. Across from him, Dae sat, enjoying his tasty dish. “I think I need to know more about the man staying at my house.”
A man who looked exceptionally handsome tonight.
Daliel was dressed in a midnight blue tight silky tee-shirt and a pair of black jeans that moulded to his every curve. His straight hair hung around his sexy cheekbones and strong jaw, giving him the striking look of a regal prince. Ben could see him cast as such in a Disney film. He knew he’d drool over the character.
Ben’s dreams last night included sexy versions of him and his gorgeous houseguest getting up to more than friendship. And why not? The man was attractive, intelligent, and fun. His tight bum was a delight to behold, together with rosy, kissable lips.
Dae swallowed what he was chewing and looked over at him cagily with his hypnotising dark purple eyes. “I’ve told you everything you need to know,” he muttered, then picked up another shrimp. “I’m not sure what else there is.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ben laid his fork down. “You’ve lived hundreds of years, came out of a damn brass lamp, and taken over my home. I’m fairly sure you have a lot to tell me. Like, do you have family, what’s it like in the lamp, and how does it all work?”
Dae stiffened, an expression of caution crossing his strong features. “I’m here to grant you wishes—which I hope you’ll do soon, by the way—not pander to your curiosity.” He pushed his forkful of food into his mouth with a little more force than was necessary.
I’ve hit a tender spot. He’s edgy about something I’ve asked.
Ben shrugged. “Fair enough. You don’t want to talk. No need to be rude.”
Dae heaved an irritated sigh and put down his fork. “I didn’t mean to be. It’s only that family and my past is a bit of a sore subject. I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Okay.” Ben took a sip of his beer. He tried hard to respect Dae’s wishes, but it simply wasn’t possible. His mother had told him often he had the curiosity of a