Gentlemen Prefer Succubi

by Jill Myles

  “Leave me alone,” I said, my voice sounding weak.

  “Poor Princess,” Zane said slowly, leaning in closer. “Wants a taste of the big bad vampire, but she’s too embarrassed to admit her own feelings.” He tsked, his nose almost touching mine now. “Lucky for you, the vampire has no problem with admitting that he’d like a taste of the princess.”

  With that, he leaned in and kissed me.

  I don’t know what I was expecting; something hard and rough, with a lot of teeth. But Zane’s soft lips touched mine gently, teasing, coaxing mine to open and allow him in. His tongue lightly danced along my lips and I opened up to him, closing my eyes and giving in to the forbidden taste.

  His mouth was sweet, with a hint of copper and smoke to his lips. He expertly teased a response out of me, his hands sliding to my shoulders, then to my hair, pulling me against him in a tender embrace that took me completely by surprise. The Itch awoke inside me, flaring heat through my limbs, and I clutched at his jacket, pinning him against me.

  This is wrong, I thought, even as I gently sucked his tongue. Even as I gasped when he licked my lower lip and pressed gentle kisses against my jawline. His hands were respectful, remaining on my head and cupping me against him like a fragile creature.

  He moved lower, licking gently at my throat, his teeth nipping against my skin. God, it felt good. I wanted him to lick harder, to press those sinful lips against my pulse. To sink his teeth into my flesh and give me the same orgasm he’d given Julianna—

  Reality hit me with force. I was making out with a vampire. My enemy. Noah’s captor.

  Ashamed, I squirmed out of his embrace. “Stop it,” I said. “Don’t touch me.”

  Zane didn’t seem offended by my reaction. He only looked at me with those hooded eyes, and a lazy grin spread over his mouth, sending my pulse skyrocketing. “For someone who professes to hate vampires, you sure do like kissing them.”

  “You’re a pig,” I called back, storming away to hide the shiver of attraction I felt. “Find your own way home. You’re not coming with me.”

  “Don’t you want your purse?” he said behind me, his amusement obvious. “You left it and your notebook here.”

  Blast. I swore under my breath and stalked back to him, snatching them from his hands. “Do me a favor and leave me alone.”

  His hand clasped around my wrist, stopping me. “Don’t be like that, Princess. I’m sorry I kissed you.”

  I’m not, I thought, and hated myself for it. “Don’t touch me again,” I said, wrestling my hand out of his grip. “We’re not going to be able to work together if you don’t follow the most simple rules. I told you not to eat my boss, and you didn’t listen to me, and now you’ve cost me my job. How am I supposed to trust you on this treasure hunt if you won’t behave for five minutes? Just go back to the queen and leave me to handle this—it’s my life we’re screwing around with, after all.”

  As I turned away, strong hands gripped my shoulders and forced me to turn around. I looked up at him breathlessly, part of me hoping that he’d give me another one of those soft kisses and part of me disgusted that I’d even look forward to it.

  His expression was sober, though, and he clasped my hand in his own and brought it to his lips. “Jackie,” he murmured against the flesh of my palm, and a shiver went down my spine despite myself. “You know I would never do anything to hurt you.”

  I was having a hard time concentrating all of a sudden. His lips danced across my skin, and my nerves shuddered with delight. I pictured those lips moving across my throat like they had on Julianna. I pictured them skimming across my breasts, teasing the tips with his sensual lips that I wanted to bite.

  “You wouldn’t hurt me? You just did.” I had to force the words out and stared pointedly at Julianna, sprawled across the museum floor.

  He shook his head and the stubble on his chin scraped against my hand. “Why do you distrust me so much, Jackie? Why is it you trust me so little and trust Noah so much?”

  “Gee, I don’t know,” I said. “Could it be the fact that one of your kind attacked me in a bar and sent me down the path that I’m on right now?”

  “I see.” His voice sounded sad, so unlike the urbane, devil-may-care Zane I knew. “Perhaps someday you will learn to trust me.”

  I walked away.

  Remy was waiting in the driveway as we pulled up to her mansion a short time later. Suitcases littered the sidewalk, and she had her cell phone clutched to her ear. “Oh good,” she called as I pulled into the driveway. “I was just about to go looking for you. We need to hurry or we’re not going to catch the next flight.”

  I’d barely put the car in park before she swung open the rear hatch and tossed a suitcase inside.

  “Right now?” I sputtered. “We have to go right now? But I haven’t even packed …” I trailed off, feeling unsettled. If we left now, it meant this whole crazy thing was green-lighted. I really was going after a halo like some sort of oversexed Indiana Jones. I mean, of course I knew this was going to happen. But right now?

  Right now?

  The thought scared me shitless. I jerked the keys out of the ignition and bolted out of the car.

  “Hey,” Remy called after me. “Where are you going? We need to leave if we want to make our flight.”

  “Be right back. Bathroom break,” I called as I dashed inside and ran up to my room. I slammed the door behind me and leaned on it, my heart hammering. Somewhere out there was a halo with my name on it, and a thousand pissed-off vampires were searching for it, too. I grabbed a tote bag and stuffed a few items in it.

  My bedroom door opened and I looked over.

  Zane.

  “Don’t you knock?” I shot him an irritated look and forced the zipper shut on my bag. There were a few things left in my life that I didn’t want him sticking his nose into.

  “You seem a bit flustered,” he observed. “Something bothering you?”

  “You mean other than the fact we’re on a witch hunt for a halo that the queen of all vampires wants, and if she gets it, we’re screwed? But if she doesn’t, Noah’s screwed and me, too, because he’s the only guy I’m screwing?” I gave a sharp, bitter laugh.

  Zane slid over to me. “Is that what you’re worried about? ’Cause I’ve got all the same parts as your angel, babe, and I certainly don’t mind helping the needy—”

  I covered his mouth before he could finish. “Such a hero. Pardon me if I pass.”

  He pulled away from my hand. “The offer stands for as long as you like.” I could hear the laughter in his voice. “Vampires are known for their … endurance.”

  I snorted, trying to deny the mental picture that made my knees weak. “Forget it,” I said. “You wouldn’t understand what I mean. I’m not looking for stud service.” Though he definitely fit the status of “stud.”

  “Suit yourself, but you’ll come around … in about twenty-four hours, unless I miss my guess.”

  Asshole. I stomped back down to the car, tote bag tucked under my arm. But as soon as I hit the driveway, another disturbing sight made me pause.

  Beside Remy stood a really cute unfamiliar guy, loading her bags into the back of the car. He looked like a surfer—tan, muscular, bleached blond hair. He also looked like a college kid. I’d never seen him before.

  I tossed my tote into the car and strode around to the back. “Uh, Remy? Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  She gave me a distracted look. “Huh? Oh, sure. Stan, can you finish loading the car? Don’t forget your things.” Remy batted her eyelashes at him.

  I dragged her over to the far side of the car. “Who the heck is that?”

  Remy looked surprised at my vehement reaction. “It’s Stan.”

  I resisted the urge to bang my head against the windshield. Repeatedly. “And just who is Stan, and why’s he coming with us?”

  She patted me on the arm. “He’s for the Itch, hon. I’m due in about eight hours, so I figured I’d need someone along for the M
ile High Club and Stan has a passport. Besides, we don’t know how long we’ll be gone.” She looked at Stan and a tiny sigh escaped her. “Just look at those muscles. Hard to believe I found him in a grocery store.”

  “Not so hard,” I snapped. “He looks like he has the IQ of a cabbage.”

  “Jealous?” Remy grinned at me. “I notice you don’t seem to have anyone along for the ride. Not exactly forward thinking, given our situation.”

  “I’ve got it covered,” I snapped, embarrassed and irritated.

  “Are you sure? Because—”

  I held up a hand. “Trust me, I’ve got it covered.” She didn’t need to know that I’d packed a vibrator. Zane wasn’t an option; I wasn’t touching that man even if he was the last jerk on earth. “Does he have a ticket? Can we just get going already?”

  Remy blinked in surprise. “Wow, something eating you?”

  “Nothing I want to talk about, thank you.” I got into the car and turned on the engine, waiting for everyone else to get ready.

  Egypt. Ready or not, here we come.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  I was in Hell.

  Remy swatted me with her boarding pass as she stood in line, waiting to hand it to the gate attendant. “Chill out, Jackie. What is your problem?”

  I wasn’t about to tell her; the humiliation would be too deep. I stood my ground, glaring at the security officer and clutching my tote bag under my arm. “You are not nosing through my carry-on. There’s nothing bad in there—no bombs, no matches, no razors, all right?”

  The guard wasn’t budging, either. “Airline policy, ma’am. We randomly search every eighth person.”

  “Check number nine this time.” I gestured at Zane, who stood behind me, hands tucked into the pockets of his leather trench coat. “Ten bucks says that if you search him, you’ll find plenty.”

  The security guard glowered at me, his face turning red behind his thick white mustache. “Miss, you’ll have to get out of line right now, and I insist on searching you—not your friend. So hand me the bag.” He reached for my carry-on again, scowling when I moved it out of reach. “Now.”

  Remy groaned. “They’re not going to let us board if you keep pulling this crap, Jackie, and I’m more than ready to hit the drinks in first class.” Her blue eyes stared at me impatiently, and if I looked down I’d probably see her Manolo Blahnik sandal tapping impatiently. The Itch was a lot like PMS in the beginning stages; the onflux of hormones brought on some serious mood-swing action.

  “I think you should let them check your bag,” Stan chirped helpfully.

  “Shut up, Boy Wonder. Nobody asked you.” I pointed at the ancient security guard. “I’m thinking Gramps here picked me out of the line because he wants to feel up my boobs on the pretense of hidden weaponry.”

  “Jackie.” Zane placed his hand on my shoulder and his eyes met mine. “Let the man check your bag so we can get on the plane.”

  And just like that, I handed my bag to the security guard and allowed him to open it in front of the entire line. Numb with dread, I watched as he pulled my items out. Blow dryer. Curling iron. My Ziploc-bagged hairspray. Not that I was going to be spending a lot of time fixing my hair in Egypt; I’d hoped all the junk would mask the true item I was trying to smuggle in.

  No sooner did I think it than the security guard pulled out a long, flesh-shaped object. “What’s this?”

  I heard Stan snort with laughter. Remy howled with delight.

  “It’s nothing,” I said, wishing the ground would swallow me up. “Just put it back, all right?”

  But no. The security guard was apparently curious about it and switched it on. A loud buzzing sound filled the air, and the few people in line who weren’t already interested were suddenly glued to the sight of my vibrator going off in the man’s hand.

  “Oh,” he said, straightening his glasses in surprise. “I … oh.” Words failed him.

  I covered my eyes, wondering if my day could get any worse.

  Zane strolled over and looped his arm over my shoulder, his long coat blocking me, the guard, and the bag from the rest of the crowd. Gratitude rushed through me.

  “You do realize,” he drawled softly in my ear, “that a vibrator’s not going to help the Itch? You need a willing human partner. Or once-human. Lucky for you I’m along for the ride.” He smiled down at me, a lazy look of amusement on his face.

  My gratitude dried up in an instant. Yep, my day had just gotten even worse than before.

  Before I could burst into tears, the security guard crammed my things back into the bag and shoved it into my hands. “You’re free to go, ma’am.” He touched his hat and moved down the line as fast as he could.

  I let Zane continue to drape his arm over my shoulders like we were a couple until we boarded the plane. “So,” I murmured under the warmth of his large arm. He smelled like aftershave and cigars, a heavenly combination. “Why do I always end up doing whatever you tell me to, if you’re not my vampire master?” I was still skeptical about that.

  “I’m just enticingly persuasive and you’re a closet submissive?” He flashed a white smile at me and I automatically moved closer to him. His gaze dropped and I noticed that being under his arm gave him a perfect view down the front of my shirt.

  “Ugh. How did you become such a creep?” I skittered away.

  He laughed. “Millennia of practice, my dear.”

  The flight itself was nice and relaxing. As soon as we sat down I put on headphones and ignored Zane, who sat next to me. First class was a definite improvement. Here you had room to stretch out and get comfortable, and I did just that, flipping open Carrie’s thesis and starting to read.

  Seven hours and one layover later, it was 5:00 a.m., and we were waiting for the plane to take off for the final leg of our trip to Cairo. I’d read every page of Carrie Brown’s thesis from cover to cover, but there was nothing there, except for a brief mention of Nitocris as a “legendary” figure in history. Frustrated and cranky, I shoved the notebook into the seat back pocket and ripped my headphones off. I needed coffee. Lots and lots of coffee, and an idea of what to do next.

  Depression crept into my mind, and I thought of Noah, trapped with the vampire queen and her minions. He’d made a noble sacrifice for me. I’m failing you, Noah. I’m so sorry. My fingers twitched, and I resisted the urge to pull the thesis back out and give it one more go.

  Zane looked over and gave me a sleepy look. “Hey there. Decided to talk to me again?” The hint of a smile curved his mouth, and I found myself fascinated anew by his lips.

  He looked breathtaking in the early-morning light. Maybe I was just tired of bickering with him, or maybe it was the heavy-lidded look he was casting my way. There was no ulterior motive in his gaze, just an almost sweet smile that made me want to curl up in his lap with his arms around me. My irritation at him ebbed away, replaced by the returning warmth of attraction. I knew Zane was bad for me, but I didn’t care.

  “I was just trying to get some coffee from the flight attendant,” I explained, tucking a lock of now-flat hair behind my ear.

  “I doubt they’ll be serving much until the plane takes off,” he said, his sleepy eyes focused on me.

  “True,” I admitted, glancing around the small cabin. This last flight was about nine hours long, and I wasn’t looking forward to being stuck in my seat for the entire time. The plane was nearly full. An occasional straggler wandered in, and judging from their speed (or lack thereof), we still had a few minutes before the doors were shut. I glanced over at Remy’s seat.

  Empty.

  I frowned until I realized Stan’s seat was empty as well, and my eyes immediately went to the first-class bathroom. A man in a dark jacket knocked on the door, frowning. If Remy was doing what I suspected, he was in for a wait.

  A low moan came from the bathroom, and the waiting man’s face showed horrified surprise. I lifted the thesis higher to cover my burning cheeks. My mind pictured what they were doing inside that
tiny room and I felt an answering throb inside my body.

  Zane’s lazy chuckle reached my ears. “Doesn’t look like he’ll be getting into the bathroom anytime soon.”

  I shot a quick glance over. He was stretched out with his long legs under the seat in front of him. His long, heavy coat trailed onto the floor, and I frowned. “Aren’t you hot in that thing?”

  He winked at me. “Do you think so?”

  I sighed. “Not like that, you idiot. Aren’t you uncomfortable? You haven’t taken it off the whole time, and it’s going to be a hundred degrees in Egypt.”

  He yawned, settling farther into his seat and closing his eyes. “I have my reasons.”

  “And what would those be?”

  One eye cracked open. “A killer sense of style?”

  Eye roll. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “I know.” He waved a hand at the rumpled thesis. “So, did you find anything useful in there?”

  “Nothing,” I said, sounding as miserable as I felt. “If this water-death-trap existed, nobody knows where it is except Nitocris herself, and she didn’t feel like telling anyone.”

  “The water chamber was destroyed so that it wouldn’t be used again,” Zane said, closing his eyes. “You won’t find it.”

  Huh? “What do you mean, I won’t find it?” I reached over and raised one of his eyelids. “Repeat that?”

  He chuckled and pushed my hand away, closing his eyes again. “I said, it was destroyed a long time ago.”

  “So why are we going to Egypt?” My voice raised a decibel or three.

  Zane shrugged. “I thought you might want to see her tomb. I can take you there if you like. That’s why she sent me with you, after all.”

  Unbelievable. “You let me go on a wild-goose chase for the past day for nothing,” I sputtered, “and you could have told me all along what I needed to know.” Hurt, I turned my eyes to the window on my left, arms crossed over my chest. I wasn’t talking to him again until he apologized.

  Silence. A moment passed, then a soft snore punctuated the silence. How could he sleep at a time like this?