Interesting, this must be the one she was speaking of.
A faint smile curved his lips. He walked back to the front of the studio to look at the other paintings. He struggled to get some idea of her personality. The mysterious woman captured his attention the night before last during his hunt, mainly because some invisible force obstructed his ability to harvest her lifeblood. It was a feeling intense enough to transform his precision hunting into fumbling footsteps of concealment. He’d struggled to observe her without exposing himself. Then there was also the damn nightmare he’d had the night before. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she was in it. She reminded him so much of Siobhán.
But another woman had been there, in the dream. He’d felt her presence, if only for a brief moment.
Distracted by the paintings and his thoughts, he didn’t notice the time. And he couldn’t find what he’d come for. The piece wasn’t speaking to him, though he could sense it nearby. It just wasn’t enough to pinpoint it.
“Excuse me?” He’d felt her presence before she’d said anything. She walked in, finding him standing in the center of the gallery. “How did you get in here?”
Should have listened to yourself. Watched her too long, didn’t you?
“The door was open.” He slowly turned his head to her. He forced the shadows to cover his face. “I assumed someone was here. Please forgive me, I didn’t mean to intrude. I haven’t been here long.”
“It was open? That’s funny; I thought I’d locked it.” She scratched the side of her head. “Since you’re here, what can I do for you?”
“Are you the artist?” He turned toward the painting in front of him.
“Yes.” She stepped closer. “Are you interested in that painting?”
“You’re very talented.” His eyes shifted to the canvas in the back. “What’s this one back here?” He walked toward it.
“It’s not finished yet.” She stepped between him and the back room.
He smiled. “It looks finished to me.”
“Yes, well . . . it’s not.” She folded her arms under her chest, showing him he’d have to go through her if he wanted to see it again.
Though his smile faded, his soul surged at her defiance. “I’ve offended you. My apologies, I’ll leave now.” He turned around and walked toward the door.
Though Kylie wasn’t able to see the definition of his face, he was a large man with an oddly honorable presence not fitting for a man these days. He was tall and lean, and she admired the way his long, straight black hair flowed down around his broad shoulders. There was an iridescent radiance in it equivalent to a peacock’s feathers. A beautiful aura surrounded him. His energy quickly pulled her in, making her feel like she shimmered by simply being in his presence.
Shocked by his reaction, she leapt forward. “No, wait.” She reached for him, but missed his arm. He stopped anyway, and she stumbled for the words. “I’m sorry, I’ve been rude. I’ve just . . . kind of had a bad day so far and I know that’s no excuse—”
“It’s all right. I’ll come back another time, maybe when you’ve not had such a bad day.” He smiled again, turned, and walked out the door.
“Damn it.” She threw her purse across the desk. “Way to go, Kylie.”
Ana walked through the door in time to see the purse fly through the air, hit the desk, knock some papers off, and tip the pencils over. Kylie slumped into her chair. She watched the pencils roll off the desk one by one and let her head fall back against the chair.
Ana stood still, likely waiting for the chaos to end. “Um, what’s going on?”
“I’m an idiot, that’s what.”
“Why, is it because of that guy that just left?”
“Yes, did you see him?” She jumped to her feet with the thread of hope that Ana knew . . . what, exactly, she didn’t know.
“Yes. Well, just the back of him, and a nice back of him it was.” Ana’s eyebrows waggled. “What happened?”
“You didn’t see his face?”
“No. I didn’t know I was supposed to. Are you going to tell me what happened or not?”
“To tell you the truth, I’m not so sure myself.”
Ana looked puzzled.
Kylie sat down again and sighed. “I think he was interested in a painting. I couldn’t see his face very clearly—it was the strangest thing, considering all the damn light I have in here. Every time I’d try to look at his face, he was either standing in a shadow or he’d turn away. And he was wearing sunglasses . . . inside.” She shrugged. Maybe he’d just forgotten to take them off. She’d done the same thing before. “Anyway, he just apologized for the intrusion and left. Isn’t that great?”
“Look, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If he saw something he liked, I’m sure he’ll be back.” Ana was, of course, not merely speaking about the paintings.
“I guess so.” She ran her hand through her hair. “I knew this day would be strange when I woke up this morning. I never should’ve left the house. I think I’ll go home and lock myself in.”
“And do what, sit there and wallow in self pity? Have a glass of wine? Watch some stupid chick flick that’ll have you bawling your eyes out and drinking two bottles of wine? I don’t think so. It’s Thursday and we’re going to The Pitt.”
“I don’t think I’m in the mood for the club scene tonight.”
“C’mon, Kylie, you haven’t gone in a while, and you deserve a little break. You’ve been working too hard.” She walked around the desk and placed a hand on Kylie’s shoulder. “It’ll take your mind off that dream . . . and that bizarre painting you did today. Besides, I want to check out the young, hot college studs.”
Kylie sighed again and looked up at her, wanting to laugh at the comment. Ana was a good ten years older than the men she was talking about, but Kylie knew she liked to look at them, and take one home with her occasionally.
“Tramp, you’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?”
“No, I’m not. Bitch.”
Kylie laughed. “All right, I’ll go.”
“Well, don’t get too excited now. It’ll be fun, I promise.”
“Can I go home and change, and feed my dog?” Sarcasm dripped from her words. “Or do you want to go now?”
Ana rolled her chocolate brown eyes. “Is nine-thirty good enough for you, Princess?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I have some errands to run. Maybe it’ll take my mind off this for a while.” She stood and grabbed her things. “By the way, it’s not Princess, it’s Goddess. I’ll see you there, okay?”
Ana looked as though the laughter would burst her at the seams to force its way out, but she held it in and walked back to her store. Kylie locked up, making certain the door was secure this time, though she was pretty damn sure she’d locked it the last time. She waved goodbye to Ana and left with a smile, but still couldn’t stop thinking about her dream . . . and those malevolent eyes. They haunted her mind’s eye everywhere she went.
Kylie walked into The Pitt—a Tempe nightclub—with an air of annoyance surrounding her. She’d had the uncanny feeling all day someone was watching her, but she’d experienced that most of her life, so it wasn’t a huge deal. It merely annoyed her. Coming to a nightclub didn’t make things much better. She’d come to expect all the stares she’d get from ogling men, and had even grown somewhat used to it, but that didn’t mean she liked it . . . well, maybe a little. Sometimes a girl just needed to believe she was beautiful, and staring men certainly did the trick. When they stopped ogling her, she’d worry. She didn’t know how far off that would be considering she was almost three years into her thirties.
And still no husband and family to speak of.
She looked around and didn’t see her friend anywhere. Probably beat her here—
“You’re late,” Ana shouted and jumped out in front of her.
A startled Kylie took a step back to keep her balance. She glared at her friend. “Shit, did you really have to do that?”
“Payback’s a bitch.” Concern swept over Ana’s face. “Are you still creeped out?”
“No, I just . . . well, yes, I guess I am.”
Ana slapped her arm. “Stop it. There’s a lot of talent here tonight, if you know what I mean.” A grin spread across her full lips.
“Whatever.” Kylie rolled her eyes.
“Especially that one over there.” Ana very unsubtly pointed out a rather large, flaxen-haired gentleman standing at the bar. “He’s been watching you since you came in. I know that was only like two minutes ago, but he watched you; kind of like he was expecting you.”
Kylie smiled and leaned over to Ana. “He’s handsome, in a mysterious sort of way.”
“Definitely smokin’ hot,” Ana translated.
Kylie looked at her, smiled and shook her head. “He’s probably some psycho-nut-freak.”
She laughed, and Ana soon followed. Ana smiled at Kylie. “Hey, maybe he’s the guy who was at your studio this afternoon? That would be weird.”
“No, he had long black hair . . . I thought you said you saw him?”
“I told you I only saw the back of him. I wasn’t looking at his hair,” Ana reminded her and grinned widely.
Kylie laughed. “You’re such a guy.”
“I know. Want a drink?”
“Sure, as long as you don’t try to get me drunk.”
Ana laughed and made a comment about taking advantage of her, which Kylie ignored.
“Hey Ky,” the bartender said. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Hi, Jarod,” she replied. “I’ve been busy. How are you?”
“I’m good, and you? Still painting?”
“Of course.”
“Good. I hung that painting in my living room. Maybe you could come over sometime and see what your art looks like on my wall.”
“We’ll see about that.” Jarod had been trying to get her over to his apartment for ages.
“The usual?”
“Yes, please.”
The man Ana pointed out to Kylie stood at the other end of the bar. He smiled and nodded. She coyly smiled back, and gazed out at the dance floor. Her foot tapped to the music. Not long after, her hips started swaying just a little. She watched the throng of people move with the music; hips in motion, grinding against one another. It was, after all, a damn good song.
The Pitt’s dance floor took up about a thousand square feet of space in the center of the large club, if not more. Kylie smirked, watching people dancing up on the platforms surrounding the four large columns. She snickered when she saw a guy trying desperately to dance with two of the women up there. He’d never have a chance with either of them since they were lesbians, but it was still fun to watch him try. Kylie could tell that they too, were amused by it, but that wouldn’t last long. Ana joined her in laughter when she pointed him out.
She’d actually loosened up a bit, watching the spectacle and sipping her drink, until she saw her ex-boyfriend. The smile quickly faded from her face.
“You didn’t tell me Rob was here.”
Ana spun around. “Where?” Her drink splashed over the rim and some hit the floor.
“Out there, on the dance floor.” She quickly turned to face the bar. “We should’ve gone to a club in Scottsdale.” Her body flushed with anxiety, and she fanned herself with both hands. “Jarod, can I get a shot?” Rob was here—the ex-boyfriend who wasn’t so nice. If she didn’t get her body in check, she’d make one hell of a show when the ambulance arrived.
Even Jarod thought her request was odd. He cocked an eyebrow. She ignored the expression.
“I didn’t know he was here or I would’ve called you.” Ana turned to Kylie. “Don’t let that jerk get to you.”
“I know I shouldn’t, but what if—” She swallowed the shot of Jäger Jarod put in front of her.
“No ‘what ifs’, I won’t listen to it. I don’t want to hear about how much you loved him, though I still can’t figure out why you did in the first place. The key word is loved here, past tense, suggests that you’re over him, which I certainly hope to God is true. It’s been months and he treated you like shit. Just pretend he isn’t here. You’re here to have a good time.”
Kylie looked at Ana’s stern face, knowing she couldn’t win the argument. “You’re right. He’s a jerk.”
Ana’s face brightened. “It would’ve been better if you’d called him a shithead. Now, is the mystery man still at the bar?” She turned to look for him.
“Yeah, he’s at the other end. He smiled at me.”
Ana looked down the bar. “Maybe you should go talk to him? He certainly seems interested.”
“Right, interested in getting laid.” She shook her head.
Ana gave her a little shove. “Girl, you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
“Maybe I’m not interested right now.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Oh sure, that’s it,” Ana said, her sarcasm coming into play.
“Don’t you think we can have a little fun tonight, just you and me, before you start trying to fix me up with someone?”
“Look, I’m just trying to get you laid. I don’t care if you marry the guy and have his kids—”
“Ana!”
“Oh, give it up, goody-two-shoes. You need to get laid.”
“No, I don’t. I’m doing just fine without a man.”
Ana’s eyebrows went up. “You must have B.O.B. at home waiting for you.”
“I plead the fifth.”
“Nice.” Ana looked at the man at the bar. “Fine then, don’t come bitching to me when he walks off with some bimbo.”
Kylie laughed. “If he walks off with some bimbo, I don’t want him anyway. I’m gonna go dance now, if that’s okay with you?” She didn’t even wait for her to reply before walking toward the overcrowded dance floor.
She worked her way through the mob, trying to find a spot nowhere near Rob. Ana was right; he’d treated her bad, and she certainly didn’t need that bullshit. Why she ever loved him, she didn’t know, and was beginning not to care when she realized someone stood awfully close to her. Regardless of how crowed the dance floor was, the presence was meant to get her attention. She stopped dancing and prayed it wasn’t Rob. She turned around, and her eyes met his chest.
Definitely not Rob. He’s not that tall.
She moved her gaze slowly up his muscular chest—taking in how well built he was with broad shoulders and arms damn near the size of one of her legs—until she fixated on his face. The fair-haired mystery man from the bar smiled down at her. He had a handsome, chiseled face, and long flowing blonde hair. Her mind instantly brought forth an image of Fabio and she had to mentally shake the image away because hell no to that idea.
“Might I dance with ye?” His voice was deep, rustic, and laden with a strong Irish brogue.
She returned the smile and nodded silently.
He leaned forward. “My name’s Cianán Lorcan.”
His breath against her ear sent a chill through her. Cianán. What an interesting name—
“Mine’s Kylie O’Rourke.”
“A beautiful name, lass. ‘Tis a pleasure to meet’cha, Kylie.” He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.
“Thank you.” Her face heated. “And likewise.”
“You’ve such beauty, the likes o’ which I’ve only seen in my dreams.”
She looked down, hiding her blushing cheeks within the falling hair around her face. Compliments always embarrassed her, especially when coming from a handsome man. Man, this guy is good.
They danced, and she felt like they were the only two people on the dance floor for a few blissful moments. Her hand slipped away from his at the end of the one slow song for the night. The fantasy abruptly ended with Rob standing in front of her when she turned toward the bar.
“Hi Kylie,” he said, his words full of venom. He smiled in his condescending way.
“Robert,” she said sharply. “What do you want?”
>
“Is that any way to talk to yer boyfriend?” He tried to grab her, but had been drinking.
She easily pushed him away. From the corner of her eye, she saw Cianán step closer.
“You mean EX-boyfriend.”
“Aw, c’mon now, Kylie, I know we’re takin’ a break—”
“We are not. It’s been months. It’s over, Rob.”
“You can come home with me and we’ll work it out.” He reached out to touch her arm.
She laughed at him and jerked away. “Maybe I don’t want to.” She glanced back at Cianán. I definitely don’t. “We broke up, Rob. A long time ago. I’m telling you one last time, it’s over. Deal with it.”
He looked Cianán up and down. “I don’t think so.”
“I don’t really care what you think.”
He clenched his fists and lifted his right arm, but Kylie stood her ground. She wasn’t going to cower away from him anymore. Cianán took a step forward, intimidating him with his size. Kylie could swear he grew another foot. He gave Rob a look that said ‘hit her, if you dare’.
Rob lowered his arm.
“Go away,” Kylie said.
Rob returned his glare from her to the large gentleman next to her. Cianán taunted him with a grin.
“Who’s this guy?” He returned his drunken gaze back to her. “I can take ‘im.”
“Would you just leave me alone?”
“Wha’s this guy got that I don’t?”
She raised her eyebrows and smiled. “You’re kidding, right? Where should I begin?” She felt comfortable making that statement, even though she’d just met the man. Hell, any man would be better than Rob.
“You don’t know what yer missin’, bitch.” The last word was loud and clear over the music. A few people turned around to watch them.
“What, your tiny dick? I hardly noticed it was gone.” It felt wonderful to say those words. Quite a few of the surrounding horde laughed at Rob.
The Dracove (The Prophecy series) Page 3
