Kat applied the lipstain and some other small touches before stepping back and looking herself over in the mirror. She pulled at her hair, wishing it would be tamed a little better. At least the frizziness was low today.

Gazing at her reflection, she sighed, giving up on doing any more. She left the bathroom and put on her boots before walking out to the living room where Nex was watching TV.

While things were better between them, he was still driving her crazy with his habits including always being half-naked. He currently only had pajama pants on and no shirt and was also eating ice cream from the carton.

"How do you stay in shape when you eat like that all the time?" Kat said, setting her hand on her hip.

"Rules are different for me, kitten, this isn't my realm," he answered before glancing over at her. His eyes widened as he took her in slowly from head to toe. "Fuck, you look sexy."

Kat froze, taking on a deer in the headlight kind of look. Nex just stared as she tried to restart her brain circuits.

"Geeze," she breathed. "Don't be subtle or anything."

"Why should I? You look sexy," he shrugged, looking back at the TV. "He doesn't deserve how sexy you look."

Kat stared at him while he continued eating ice cream and watching TV. She smoothed out her hair and dress and sat on the couch as far away from Nex as possible. She couldn't keep her hands still, repeatedly smoothing out her skirt and removing invisible lint.

"What happened?" Nex asked.

Kat looked over and found him holding a picture of her parents and her at her eighteenth birthday party. It was the last party she had with them. She swallowed hard because she'd rarely said out loud what happened. In fact, she'd never really said out loud what it was like to be there when it happened. But she wasn't as nervous to say it to him because if anyone understood death, it would be him.

"Car accident," Kat answered, darting her eyes away. "Drunk driver." She took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress again. "I was driving. Not drunk, just... I was driving. The truck hit the passenger side and they were both on that side, so..."

Nex's hand covered her fidgeting one. She looked over, finding him much closer. His gentle expressions always surprised her since he was usually angry or sarcastic.

"I'm sorry, Katherine," he said, squeezing her hand. "When?"

"A little under a year ago. It'll be a year on Christmas Eve," Kat said, letting his fingers weave through hers even though part of her screamed that was a bad idea, she was about to go on a date with someone else.

He squeezed her hand and it made her look at him again. "I would like to assume you know it wasn't your fault but I have a feeling you've somehow managed to convince yourself otherwise," he said, watching her carefully.

"It's not that exactly," Kat sighed. "I don't... I don't really think it was my fault. The drunk driver was in the wrong. I just... I wish I would've... I don't know, paid more attention, had faster reflexes. Something," she shrugged.

"Don't put that on yourself, kitten," Nex said, bringing her hand up and brushing his lips against her knuckles. "Loss is difficult enough without trying to blame yourself."

"Easier said than done," Kat said, staring down at her lap.

Nex let go of her hand and picked up the picture again, waving it around. "What was the occasion? You look rather happy."

"It was my eighteenth birthday," Kat said, smiling at the memory. "I really wanted to go to Las Vegas for my eighteenth," she admitted, biting her lip.

"You? In Vegas?" Nex asked doubtfully.

"More for the shows than anything else," Kat said, rolling her eyes. "And I always wanted to see the strip at night. I've heard the lights are amazing," she said, another smile forming on her lips as the memories flooded her mind. "Vegas is a ways away and we couldn't afford it so instead, my mom and dad turned the house into a little casino. The kitchen table was the poker station," she said, gesturing to the kitchen table. "The kitchen was the bar. Then she brought up slot machine games on all our computers and put them inside cardboard boxes that she decorated so they would look like slot machines," she laughed breathily. "Then outside was a very fancy steak house with candles and white tablecloths and everything. It was a better birthday than if I'd gone to Vegas," she admitted.

"Sounds like they loved you a lot," Nex said, smiling lightly.

"They were the best parents anyone could ask for," Kat nodded. She almost asked about his parents then frowned, realizing she didn't know how that all worked. "Did you... Have parents?" She asked, looking over at him.

"I can only assume so," Nex answered. This time he broke eye contact.

"You don't know?" Kat asked, turning to face him.

"No. I've been told I died at twenty-two and that's why I stopped aging at twenty-two," Nex said. "All I know is I was born again in the underworld though I don't know why and I have no memory of any life before it so it's difficult to say what the truth is. If it is the truth than yes, at some point I had parents but I don't recall it. Nor do I recall what I did to deserve the underworld."

"That's terrible," Kat frowned. "I'm sorry."

"We all have our demons," Nex said, his mouth quirking into a smile. "I hardly remember that part of my life- growing up. It was a very long time ago. It was only difficult when I was young, before I found my place. It's not so fresh, not like it is for you," he said, taking her hand again. "The pain does ease. Time does help. It never goes away but it becomes bearable."

Kat nodded, feeling nervous at his close proximity and affection. He had more of an effect on her than she liked to admit, especially after learning his history. She didn't trust herself with him so she stood up and walked over to the window, looking outside and checking the time on her phone.

"It's early, kitten. Relax," Nex said.

"I can't help it," she said, fiddling with her sleeves and pacing around.

"It's not like this is your first date ever, just sit down and breathe," Nex said.

Kat chewed on her lip and avoided his gaze. Nex's eyes narrowed, watching as she wrung her hands together.

"Wait, is it your first date?" Nex asked, watching her carefully.

"Don't be mean," Kat said, hiding her face.

"How is that possible?" Nex asked.

"You're supposed to be nice," Kat said, peeking through her fingers.

"I don't mean it in a mean way," Nex said, rolling his eyes. "I just mean you're beautiful. Hasn't anyone ever asked you out?"

Kat shrugged, still hiding her face for her original reasons but now also to hide the blush from his compliment.

"People in this realm are fucking idiots," Nex said, shaking his head. "Don't be embarrassed. I'm not going to mock you. I just understand your nervousness a lot more now. Come here."

"Why?" Kat asked suspiciously, dropping her hands to her sides.

"Just come here," Nex said, narrowing his eyes.

Kat sighed and walked over. Nex offered a bite of ice cream and Kat shook her head.

"Come on, it's for the nerves," he pressed.

"I can't just use the same spoon you were using," Kat frowned.

"Oh for fuck's sake, kitten. Stop being so uptight," he said, holding out the spoon.

Kat stared at it a moment before giving in. She placed the spoon in her mouth and flushed as Nex watched her closely.

"What?" She said, sliding the spoon out of her mouth and darting her eyes away.

"Have you kissed anyone before?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

Kat's blush became ten times brighter and that was answer enough. She turned to leave but Nex grabbed her hand and pulled her down into his lap, straddling him.

"What are you doing?" Kat squeaked, setting her hands on his chest for balance. His bare, hard chest. The contact had her licking her lips.

"What if he tries to kiss you?" Nex asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know," Kat admitted, biting her lip. "I don't know how to do it."

Nex smiled lightly and brought his hand up behind her head, pulling her so close their noses touched.

"What are you doing?" Kat said, her breath hitching.

"I can teach you before he gets here," Nex said, sliding his other hand to her lower back and pulling her closer, more flush against him. "You want your first kiss with him to go well..." he said, nudging her nose with his, their lips almost touching. "Don't you?"

"Yes," Kat breathed, her body tingling when Nex's hand started drifting up and down her spine.

"Then pay attention," Nex said, grabbing her wrists and placing her hands behind his head before pulling her into a kiss.

Kat was frozen for a moment but his lips were surprisingly warm and gentle, the motion had her eyes sliding shut. He moved slowly, threading his fingers through her hair and holding her in the kiss. Kat finally started responding, mimicking his movement. It wasn't long but when they broke apart, Kat was breathless.

"Umm," Kat said, slowly opening her eyes and licking her lips. "Thanks," she breathed. "That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Was I bad?" She asked hesitantly.

"No," Nex said, his eyes darting to her lips. "But you should definitely practice more," he said, cupping her face and pulling her into another kiss.

This one was firmer, his lips moving more deliberately against hers as he slid one hand down her back and brought her closer. Kat let out an involuntary sound and Nex groaned, sliding his tongue along her lips.

He broke the kiss for a moment, holding her close. "Lesson two is French kissing," he said against her lips before kissing her again.

This time he slid his tongue between her lips, caressing her tongue with his. Her fingers knotted in his hair as she melted into him, mimicking his movements with his tongue. His hand wrapped around her waist and he sat up straighter, pulling her against him tightly, bringing her down firmer on his lap. They broke out of the kiss when Kat gasped at the contact, feeling Nex growing under her. He moved his lips down to her neck and the doorbell rang.

Kat's eyes snapped open and she pulled away from Nex, nearly tripping as she got off his lap and backed away. She set her hand on her lips and tried to catch her breath. Their eyes met and Nex started to stand. The doorbell rang again.

"I have to go," Kat squeaked, darting past him and grabbing her purse and jacket before rushing out the door.

Kat practically ran into Jason getting out of the house.

"Whoa," Jason said, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry," she smiled meekly. "Hi."

"Hi," he chuckled. "Everything okay?"

"Yep," Kat nodded, clutching her purse to her chest.

"All right," Jason said, offering his arm. "Let's go."

Kat took his arm and he led her to his car, opening up the door for her. As they drove off, Nex stood by the window, watching the car until it was gone. He glared long after the car was gone, eventually going to the kitchen and snatching the bottle of whiskey.