by Caris Roane
Logan had given her a righteous pep talk as well before she’d headed out to the caravan. She could still hear his voice in her head. ‘Go to the club I told you about, the Wicked Fang, and ask for Ethan. He’ll be expecting you. He’s a good man. He’ll be good for you and you can trust him not to cross any line you don’t want him to cross. Now go get you some. Just don’t let Liam know what you’re doing. He can’t be with you, but he won’t like it when you’re with another man.”
So, she’d been grateful Liam hadn’t asked her to dinner and she was taking Logan’s advice.
She’d already arranged for a cab, and it was time to go. She remembered this wise if raunchy expression from an Earth TV show she’d watched recently: If you wanted to get over someone, you had to get under someone else.
Fine.
She asked the cab, however, to take it slow. Not because she was nervous, although she was that, but she’d never been to Kochwick before.
The air smelled so different from her lake world, exotic and full of spices. There were food carts everywhere, which surprised her. But then this was a land that relied on tourism at night to keep its population fed…literally.
Part of the tourist experience was being with a vampire.
She lowered the window and took it all in, the sights, the smells, the sounds of the different music coming from the various clubs. After a mile of passing open door after open door, she realized the undercurrent, no matter which type of band was playing, seemed oddly or perhaps purposefully seductive.
She leaned back in her seat and smiled. What had begun as her first caravan experience had now transformed to a night of clubbing. She’d heard Kochwick was the best on two planets, heavily policed and very safe.
Arriving, the Wicked Fang looked like something out of a Hollywood B movie with flashing lights and everything. As she paid her fare then stepped from the cab, she noted the tall lean vampires lined up ready and waiting.
She was grateful for her height and that she worked out. If she had to fight any of them off, she could do it.
But the men barely moved. Instead she felt their eyes on her, checking her out, nothing too out of the ordinary. Then something more; she heard a soft hissing sound. As she moved toward the door, she glanced at the nearest vampire, who still didn’t move toward her or say anything.
Turned out he wasn’t hissing but sniffing the air.
He finally spoke, his voice low, seductive. “Your blood smells really fine. Floral, I think. Lilacs, maybe. Let me know if you want the full experience. I’m here for you.”
Every word was spoken in a soft drawl. She felt inclined toward this very pale man who still made no move toward her.
The door opened abruptly, and a muscled male moved onto the sidewalk. He raised a hand in the direction of the vampires. “Get out of here, street trash. Next time I see any of your asses, you’re dead.”
Now the vampires hissed for real.
But the bouncer stomped his foot and all three headed into the air.
“Sorry, Ma’am. I took a nature break and those damn vultures seem to know the moment I leave. Are you here for the Wicked Fang?”
“Yes. My dragon friend, Logan, told me to come here. I’m looking for Ethan.” Ethan the vampire. She liked the sound of his name.
The bouncer grinned. “He’s here. Are you Emma?”
“That’s me.”
“Damn, but aren’t you a beauty. Ethan’s going to piss himself when he sees you.”
She was with warrior types every day, so she only laughed then said, “Well, I hope not.”
The bouncer chuckled and held the door wide. “You’ll do.”
She heard the music again, lots of acoustic guitars and an almost Spanish feel to the music. Or maybe Arabian or Persian. She didn’t understand the words either. But she loved the feel of it and began to move with the rhythm as she walked.
The club was very small, the music live, and round, intimate tables were scattered everywhere. A small dance floor had couples moving in close proximity. Across the room, she saw a tall, muscular vampire with broad shoulders, leaning against the bar. He had whisky in his hand, and what she was sure was an old-fashioned in a short tumbler next to his elbow.
Clearly Logan had told him all about her.
Her heartrate rose. This was going to happen. She could feel it. She might need a few drinks to gather exactly the right level of courage, but she knew this was an important step for her.
She could finally get past Liam.
The bouncer guided her the entire distance.
Soft whistles followed coupled with the familiar soft sniffing-hissing sound. A few groans as well. Guess she smelled delectable. Maybe it was lilacs. Now that she thought about it, the one night she and Liam had been together, he’d said the same thing. She couldn’t help but smile.
No matter what else, the whole experience was helping her to feel special, very different from those times when Liam had turned his back on her and left room after room.
She hadn’t realized until this moment just how much his behavior had wounded and even maddened her. She felt stupid to have carried the torch for so many months.
When the bouncer turned her over to Ethan and she extended her hand to him, he took it. In a totally cheesy but awesome way he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingers.
She felt herself melt. Maybe it was because Logan had set it up, but a sense of ease and all kinds of good feelings began to settle within her, like bathing in warm water.
Or maybe she was being charmed.
Or even seduced.
Somehow, she didn’t care. Bring it on.
“You are beautiful, Emma. Lovely. Logan did not speak highly enough. I’m delighted you came.”
She loved Ethan’s look. He was taller than her. Always a plus. He wore a black shimmery coat, probably silk, and black leather pants. A black t-shirt completed a stylish yet casual and totally sexy look. Very vampire.
He had straight black hair which he wore combed back at the crown. Attractive strands of his hair draped on either side of his face. He had light blue eyes, a narrow nose, strong brows, full lips and looked like a model. He was gorgeous.
He handed her the old-fashioned.
She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew he was seducing her very slowly and carefully, but she loved it. She was a totally willing participant.
He led her to a table in the shadows. She settled into the chair he pulled out for her then eased into a chair next to hers, almost a slither. He then draped his arm across the back of hers.
The guitars continued to play but very much in the background. She felt cocooned with him. She wondered if he’d created the effect.
She heard the familiar hissing-sniffing sound, this time coming from him, as he drew close to her neck.
“You should drink.” He spoke the words aloud, but they resonated within her mind as well.
Yes, she definitely should drink.
She took a long swig of the old-fashioned then another. “Order me a second?”
“Anything for you, Emma.” Her name was a quiet murmur on his lips.
His arm came up and the waiter was right there. He spoke softly. Emma loved that. No posturing or showing off.
When he turned back to her, he smiled. She saw the tips of his fangs and desire rolled through her in a heavy wave.
She knew a number of vampires in Blue Lake South. A couple of the riders were even part vampire, part dragon and of course mostly human.
“You have beautiful hair, Emma.” Her name again. It had a possessive sound. Was he claiming her in some way? “It smells of lilac. Lovely.” He pushed her hair away from her shoulder clearing a path to her throat.
Would he drink from her here? In public?
But as she glanced around her, it was as though they were hidden from view or maybe it was just an illusion.
The whisky in the old-fashioned began to
ease through her veins. She drank a little more, then a little more until the second was gone.
Another replaced it.
She drank. She felt wonderful. This was Ethan, a friend of Logan’s, she was safe.
She was ready and oh, so willing.
Maybe tonight she could start living again, start dating and having a good time, stop hoping for the impossible to happen.
~ ~ ~
Liam got the call just after he’d finished a filet mignon at the hotel bar. He’d had three shots of a fine Scottish single malt import and was ready for the fourth when a vibration hit his telepathy.
It had the feel of something very long-distance.
Shit. There was trouble.
Liam here.
Hey, bro.
Liam relaxed. How’s it hangin’, Logan?
I was just about to ask you.
Something in Logan’s amused tone, made Liam sit upright and fast. Why are you calling?
Wondered how Emma was doing, that’s all.
Liam got a sick feeling in his gut. Logan had a way of messing things up left and right all for his belief he knew best. In all things.
This time, however, his schemes somehow involved Emma. He could smell it. What did you do?
Who, me? Nothing. Why do you ask?
He rose to his feet and walked swiftly, then levitated even faster to the hotel reception desk. He addressed the staffer. “Ring Emma Brier for me.”
“She won’t be in her room, sir. She called for a cab an hour ago. I saw her depart.”
An hour. Oh, God. Alone in vampire country.
Emma.
The sick feeling turned to panic then he remembered Logan. He turned to face the tall glass lobby doors. Where did you send her?
Does it matter? You’re not interested, and she needs a man to take care of her needs. And please don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.
He did know. He knew all too well. He could smell her desire for him all the time, a fresh scent of lilac so sharp and clear he would never forget it.
Where, Logan. Tell me now, or I swear when I get back to the lake, I’ll cut both your nuts off and feed them to the fish. I repeat, where did you send her?
Ethan will be gentle and will give her what she needs plus a new experience she could never have with you.
You sent her to the Wicked Fang, you bastard.
With my blessing. Logan then had the nerve to cut off the conversation before Liam could.
As he let loose with a number of choice expletives, Liam ran for the front door then took to the air. He was so desperate, he almost shifted.
He knew the Wicked Fang, a haunt for the seductive vampires of the city’s brigade of hard-fighting, powerful warriors. Ethan helped keep the peace.
He wasn’t just slick; he was warrior strong and handsome enough to turn any woman’s head, including Emma’s.
The thought she’d fall for a vampire sent his temper up about a dozen notches.
By the time he landed in front of the club’s door, he was blind with rage.
The bouncer took one look at him and planted his hand on Liam’s chest. “Slow down, Brother. Logan thought you might show up. Ethan’s playing it cool. Your woman is safe.”
Logan set this whole thing up? Even with Ethan and with the club’s bouncer? That bastard. “Where is she?”
The bouncer shrugged. “Here’s what I know, the woman in there is ripe and ready. She’s got this flower scent that almost had me grabbing her. She needs a man. You don’t get better than Ethan and you know it. So, the question is, why are you here? Emma came of her own free will, so let her express it or take care of her yourself. Because there’s no in-between on this one, Liam. Not with this woman. Again, what do you intend to do? If nothing, then for her sake, let her go home with Ethan.”
The last thing Liam ever expected was sage advice from a bouncer at the Wicked Fang. But damn if he wasn’t right.
“Let me have a look. Let me see for myself that she’s okay.”
“You break one stick of furniture and you’ll be in jail tonight. That’s a promise.”
Liam knew the big man would keep his word. The room would be full of warriors like Ethan as well. The bouncer led the way.
The room was small, the music seductive, the booze flowing. He was pretty sure a couple of vampires were tapping deep in the shadows. He could hear moans.
The moans weren’t helping.
Was Emma one of them?
When he caught sight of Emma, he listed sideways then caught himself. God, she was beautiful. She wore a silver sparkly club dress and her hair was curled and cascading over her shoulders. She had on a lot more make-up than she usually wore, which made her look exactly as the bouncer had described her: ready.
Then he saw Ethan and his temper began shooting into his head like a gun being fired repeatedly. He had his hand on Emma’s bare back and was kissing her throat, his nostrils flaring. He was deep in a seduction.
Liam felt his dragon roar to life.
But the bouncer caught his arm and squeezed so hard Liam though it would break. “You promised.”
Liam closed his eyes and forced his dragon to calm down. Shit. Another sign that he was in trouble with Emma. His dragon wanted her bad, not just now, but always.
As he began to move, the bouncer stuck with him.
Ethan caught sight of Liam and slowly leaned away from Emma. Liam saw that she had a tight hold on the lapel of the vampire’s coat. Her complexion was high, her lips swollen.
When he drew near, Ethan said, “I’d stand up, Liam. But I’d embarrass myself.”
At the sound of his name, Emma turned in his direction. Her eyes were clouded with a lot of alcohol and need. He recognized that look. He’d made love to her when she was in this state and it had been one of the best experiences of his life.
He extended his hand to her. “Will you come with me, Emma? Please?”
But the woman shook her head.
“No, no, no,” she said in a voice that was too loud. She waved her forefinger between them. “We can’t – you and I can’t – no, no, no. We’re battle partners not fuck-buddies. It won’t work. Besides,” she rose to her feet with one hand on the table for support, then drew close to Ethan. “I’m with a vampire tonight. He says I smell like lilies or something.”
“Lilacs.” Both he and Ethan spoke at the same time.
Liam glared at the vampire.
Ethan’s lips quirked, but he remained silent.
Emma looked up at Ethan. “Take me to your lair, my beautiful one. I’m ready and willing. Tonight, I’m all yours.”
“Well, as much as I would love to, we have a slight problem. Liam is a friend of mine and he has to tell me it’s okay. It’s a warrior thing.”
She leaned against Ethan. “Please? Liam doesn’t want me. Please?”
“Then let him tell me so and I’m all yours, my lovely dragon-rider.”
Liam’s dragon began to battle inside him once more, longing to come out, wanting only to gather Emma up in the heavy claws of his powerful forearms then spirit her away.
But the bouncer gripped his arm once more. Clearly, this wasn’t his first rodeo with powerful types and the women they fought over.
Only Ethan wasn’t fighting. He was willing to be with Emma, but only on terms that Liam thought nothing short of gentlemanly.
Liam appealed to her once more. “Emma, please come with me. I will take care of you. Whatever you want from me tonight. I’m yours.”
“But that won’t work. Don’t you see? What if it’s your heart I want?” She put a hand to her head. “I shouldn’t have said that.” She looked up at Ethan and explained. “Liam and I can’t be together because I’m afraid I’ll fall hard for him and I’ll never recover. That’s why I’m here. That’s why you and I need to do the deed. I want to get over Liam before I can never get over him. Do you understand? This isn’t up to Liam.”
Ethan shrugged and shifted his gaze
to Liam. “Sounds reasonable to me.” Still, his lips twitched as he spoke.
Liam reached for Emma’s hand. He understood exactly what she meant. But he couldn’t let her be with Ethan. He was pretty sure his dragon would kill the vampire if he did.
He understood then how completely his dragon thought of Emma as already belonging to him.
He drew close and despite the fact that Ethan was right next to him, he took Emma’s chin and forced her to look at him. “Please don’t do this. We’ll figure something out. Please come home with me. I’ll take care of you like I did the night we were together.”
Emma’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s a mistake, Liam. You know it is.”
“I’m willing to make that mistake. Be with me. Please.”
~ ~ ~
The whisky peeled away from Emma’s brain and all she saw was the desperate, pleading look in Liam’s silvery-blue eyes. She knew then that what was happening between them was more complicated than she could have ever imagined.
For one thing, she’d been sure the big emotion in their relationship was all on her side. It had never occurred to her, despite what Logan said, that Liam might really be feeling something for her.
She released a sigh. “Logan set this up, didn’t he? Logan called you.”
Liam nodded slowly.
Emma curled both sets of fingers into fists. “I’ll crush his nuts for this.” All three men flinched at her words.
She looked up at Ethan. “You were in on it, too, weren’t you?”
“Yes, exquisite one. But I can’t tell you how much I wish Liam’s dragon was at the bottom of the lake right now. Or that he hadn’t shown up, if that’s any solace.”
She laughed, but tears burned her eyes and not for the first time over the conundrum that was Liam. “Great. No sex for me tonight. Just great.”
At that moment, Ethan stiffened abruptly. His head shot up and he glanced swiftly around the club. Emma thought he was angry at what she’d said, but she swiftly realized something else had grabbed the vampire’s attention.
“What is it, Boss?” the bouncer asked.
“Incoming. I can feel it in my bones. We’ve got Magi on the wind coming from the west. They’re still outside the city limits which means we have time to catch them in the open. Sound the alarm.”
