Hours later, the fight finally over (Mencheres, Vald, Spade, Ian, Bones, and Cat won, but only by a small margin), everyone was sitting in Bone's and Cat's parlour, laughing and talking like nothing had happened. The only sign that something had happened was that Alice was wearing one of Jaz's shirts, but it wasn't that noticeable, since they were the same size, color, and style. One had to look closely to notice that it wasn't designer. Having been updated on the Cullen's, Mencheres, Vald, Ian, Spade, and Bones were telling everyone what they did on the mission and who was behind it all. Cat was listening and refilling drinks as they were needed. Every time she would change position, Bone's would follow her with his eyes, couldn't take them off of her, but no one could really blame him since he'd been gone for three years.

Cat couldn't take her eyes off Bones. She just wished that everyone would leave so her and Bones would have the house to themselves for once. Jaz had planned to spend the night over at Stefan's and no one had a problem with that.

His hair was different than when he'd left. Now it was honey-brown instead of the platinum blond from before. It was longer as well, curling over his ears instead of hugging his head like a sleek helmet. Eyes so deep brown they were nearly black bored into hers whenever they happened to meet, which was often.

Bone's gaze devoured hers. Finally everyone left and she was picking up glasses and plates and returning them to their proper place after washing them when Bones walked silently into the room behind her.

"Hallo, Kitten."

His voice was as smooth as she'd remembered it, that English accent more pronounced. When she jumped, Bones laughed, a low seductive ripple of the air. Bones traced the inside of his lower lip with his tongue as his eyes slid over her form. Their heat seemed to rub against her skin.

She sought to find a distraction. Anything other than focusing on how much she'd missed being in his arms again. This felt so similar, de-ja-vu even, probably because the same thing had happened when she saw him for the first time in four and a half years after she had left him for his own protection almost 30 years ago. She couldn't stand to see him be killed because of her. At least they weren't fighting like that time; she didn't think she could handle that. Suddenly, music started playing in the background, a slow, sweet song. Cursing the fact that everyone had left and she had no more dishes to do, Bones led her to the middle of the kitchen so they could dance. He moved closer than a waltz called for, close enough that she could feel his body dipping into hers in time with the music. The feel of his muscles moving in sinuous ripples under his clothes made her hands clench. Now she was fighting back something other than tears as she reminded herself that she needed to retain her dignity, even if for her own sake. His nostrils flared. Inwardly she cursed. While she could fake cool and calm all she wanted, he was a vampire. He'd be able to tell from one whiff how he was affecting her.

"Perchance you did miss me after all," he said low, flecks of green appearing in his eyes.

Cat pretended to be blasé. "Don't get flattered, you're just a good dancer. Apparently Aravella seemed to think so, too."

"Hearing about me dancing with Aravella was the least you deserved after I had to watch the leech fawn all over you," Bones replied curtly. "Really, Kitten, what were you thinking, leading him on like that? Jazmyne has bigger balls than Damon."

"His balls are fine!" Cat snapped, then flushed. Hell if she knew, and God, did I just say that?

Bones snorted and twirled her in a circle before yanking her close. "Right. No wonder you're so hot around me. I reckon you've had a better time shagging yourself than him. Must be frustrating."

His hips were brushing hers as he taunted her. Anger flared in Cat, covering her lust. Now way was she going to admit that she hadn't slept with Damon or, hell, anyone since Bones left. Frustrating? That didn't even begin to describe what Cat was feeling.

But two could play the taunting game. Cat hitched a leg up, curling it around his hip, and gave a hard circular twist against him that had his gaze turning a flat, glowing green.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who's frustrated, Mr. Optical Hard-on. Might want to tone your eyes down. Someone might come in."

Bones closed his eyes, then he locked his hands around Cat's waist and bent until his mouth touched her ear.

"Careful, luv. I might be angry with you, but that doesn't mean I don't still want you. So if you do that again, I'll shag you right here, right now, and sod anyone who wants to watch."

His sudden hardness below emphasized that he wasn't making an idle threat. That scared Cat—and turned her on in ways she didn't even want to contemplate.

Bones took in a long breath. Cat shivered, knowing that since vampires didn't need to breathe, he was inhaling the traitorous scent of her desire.

"Oh, Kitten…" His voice deepened. "Now you're just daring me, aren't you?"

She was saved from a reply—or worse—when there was a sudden change of energy in the surrounding area. Bones felt it, too, a lot clearer than she did. He tensed and his eyes snapped open, no longer green, but hard brown orbs.

"Damn it, Eric!"