by L. Rosario
Valentino smiled, showing a set of dimples and a mouth full of perfect white teeth. “I'll take that as a no.” He reached for her and slipped his fingers around her elbow. “Can I get you a drink?"
"Shouldn't you be working?"
His smile grew, and he jerked his head to toss a few sable locks out of his eyes. His hair had a natural wave to it that was really sexy, and his eyes were deep chocolaty brown. “I have a few minutes before I need to clock in, and I thought I should spend them convincing the sexiest woman in the place to stay a little longer."
Sera tried to stay immune to the heavy dose of charm but failed. She blushed and licked her lips. “Considering the reaction my friends had to the outfit I'm wearing, I know I am far from the sexiest woman here."
Valentino arched a brow and began to lead her back toward the club proper. “Let me be the judge of that, all right?” He led her past the milling women, and Sera realized there really was a bar. It was tucked into a shadowy corner and unnoticeable until you almost slammed into it. Valentino stretched his free hand across the polished surface and slapped a little bell. Then he glanced over at her. “What do you drink?"
Blood. Not that she dared to say that out loud. “Um ... water?"
His eyes widened, as did his smile. “All right, water it is.” The bartender appeared, and Sera tried not to stare as Valentino ordered an ice cold water and a beer. The tall, muscular, nearly naked man nodded his head and walked away.
"You seem overdressed.” Sera longed to die the moment the words slipped out, but wait, that wasn't an option. She felt Valentino's gaze on her profile, but refused to return it. His fingers squeezed her elbow, and his soft chuckle crept under her skin.
"We're allowed to wear clothes when we're not working, but if you'd like, I can get into uniform for you."
Maybe the floor would open up and suck her into the pits of hell? She stared at the ceiling, and Valentino chuckled again.
"Here's your water.” He pressed the glass against her arm, chilling her through the thin sleeve of her blouse.
Sera avoided his gaze as she took the glass. He released her elbow to take his beer from the bartender. “Thanks, Mike."
"Mike?” Sera echoed. The name sounded too normal for this place.
Valentino sipped his beer and nodded. “Yep. Actually his name is Michelangelo, but he prefers Mike."
"And do you prefer Val?"
He looked impressed. “You know my name."
Sera carried her drink to her lips to hide her embarrassment. She sipped the water, really wishing it was something else. Valentino's blood, to be exact. The thought rocked her. She didn't do humans. It was a code she lived by, and it wasn't one she planned on breaking. The little bags of blood waiting in her fridge were good enough, and she'd snap one open the moment she got home. Her strange little craving was probably just a result of not drinking enough before Becca picked her up.
"Does that mean you've been on the site, ‘cause I know I've never seen you here before."
Sera pushed away the thought of blood. “I was on the website, yes."
"See anything you like?"
He was teasing her, and she knew it, but still she felt compelled to answer. “Maybe.” It wasn't like her to play coy, but if ever the time seemed right, it was now.
"I see,” Valentino mumbled then took another swig of beer. “Only seems fair to tell me your name."
Surely there was no harm. “Sera."
"Just Sera?"
Sera nodded. “Yeah, just Sera."
"Okay. Sera. Have I convinced you to stay a while longer?"
She laughed, surprising both of them. “A glass of cold water is supposed to convince me to stay?"
Valentino set the beer bottle down and turned to lean a hip against the bar. He crossed his arms and steadied his gaze on her face. “What if I told you I could make all your deepest, darkest fantasies come true?"
Sera suppressed a shiver and looked anywhere but into chocolate depths of Valentino's eyes. “You sound like a commercial I've heard on the radio."
He chuckled. “But it's true."
Sera risked a glance at his face. “I'm not the kind of girl to harbor deep dark fantasies."
He looked her over then shook his head. “I don't believe that. You strike me as someone with a great deal of depth."
The observation unnerved her. After another sip of water, she placed her glass on the bar. “I think I'll go now.” His arm snaked around her waist to stop her from moving away. In that instant his scent nearly overwhelmed her. It was a mixture of rain and dewy grass. Odd, but pleasant. It took a lot of willpower not to lean into the solid wall of his body.
"I didn't mean to offend you. I'm sorry.” He looked so sincere, she instantly nodded. His gaze softened and he reached up to feather his fingertips over her lips.
Sera jerked at the contact and pulled against the arm at her waist. She was strong enough to break free, just one of the perks of being a vampire, but something stopped her from doing so. She stared into Valentino's eyes and stilled as he made another pass over her mouth.
"Why are you here, Sera?"
She licked her lips and tasted the flavor of his skin. “My friends forced me to come."
"But you'd rather be at home, I take it?” He sounded offended.
"Maybe."
"I want you to stay. I want to perform for you."
Her stomach did a little flip. The visual of this guy peeling his clothes off for her, and her alone, did mighty strange things to her insides. “Um..."
He smiled and tightened his arm to snuggle her flush against his chest. His body was all hard muscle, and it felt really nice through her jeans and blouse. It would feel even better if they were both naked.
Good God! Where had that come from?
"Is that a yes?” he teased.
"Um..."
"I say it is.” He touched her lips again then set her away from his body. “I'll make sure you don't regret your decision to stay, Sera.” He finished his beer, and then left her with a bright smile on his mouth.
Sera collapsed against the bar, staring at the mouth-watering sight of Valentino's ass in snug dark jeans. She didn't know what had just happened, but she'd stay, if for no other reason than to see what happened next.
Chapter Two
There had been no music playing when they arrived, but now the sound system pulsed with a rhythmic beat that brought to mind a roaring fire and writhing bodies. Sera had danced around such a fire a long time ago while celebrating All Hallows Eve. It had delighted her to mingle with the local townsfolk, though her father would have exiled her to a convent had he known. The night had not ended well, but now was not the time to revisit such memories.
She focused her gaze on the center of the room as the guy with the microphone reappeared.
"It is with great pleasure, ladies, that I introduce Valentino.” He stepped back with a flourish, and the female voices hushed.
Sera held her breath, then let it out and gripped the edge of the bar as Valentino appeared. He was in uniform, if that was what you could call the tight black shorts clinging to his lower body. The rest of him was gloriously bare, smooth, and tan. The shorts left little to the imagination, but thanks to the website photos, she knew exactly what was inside anyway. Every other woman probably did as well, and that bothered Sera a little bit more than she would have liked it to.
Valentino strolled among the women, allowing several to reach for him, but he never stopped to let them grab him. Every now and then he caught the beat of the music and did a sexy little move that made him look like he was made of molten bronze. How did a body slither from the ankles up?
Sera stood mesmerized then caught her breath when Valentino's gaze slammed into her. He stopped midstride and smiled. The music pulsed louder and he lifted his arm and crooked his finger. Several women turned to fire daggers in Sera's direction, but she ignored them all. Entranced, she stepped away from the bar and made her way across the floor.
Valentino's smile grew with every step she took.
Becca's sudden appearance shattered the moment. “Sera?"
Sera blinked and looked into her friend's wide green eyes. “What do you want?” Her voice had a hard edge to it. Very unlike her.
Becca blinked, then began snapping her fingers in front of Sera's face. It was so annoying, it actually worked. Sera forgot all about Valentino and glared at her friend. “I thought you wanted me to enjoy myself?"
"Yeah, sure, but you look odd.” She glanced over her shoulder toward Valentino. “I saw you talking to him."
"So."
"So, what did he say?"
"He said he wanted to perform for me."
Becca's mouth fell open. “Oh my God."
Sera narrowed her eyes. “Is it really that big of a deal?"
Becca nodded. “I should tell you what I've discovered in the past few minutes about this place.” Her tone suggested whatever it was, it was big.
Sera wasn't sure she wanted to hear it, but she arched a brow and waited.
"This is not a strip club,” Becca said softly. She glanced at Valentino again. “Perform does not mean dance, Sera."
"Then what does it mean?” Valentino still stood in the center of a group of women, staring at her. Some of the bolder women had moved closer to him, but they seemed too awestruck to attempt to lay hands on him. He ignored them all while wearing an expression that told her he'd wait all night for her to come to him.
"It means sex."
Those three words snapped Sera's attention back to Becca. “What?"
"Jennifer suggested I bring you here because the guys have sex with the women. Valentino wants to have sex with you."
"You told Jennifer my secret?"
Becca rolled her eyes. “Will you listen to what I'm saying?” She gestured over her shoulder. “He's waiting to have sex with you."
"In front of everyone?” Sera's stomach rolled for a much different reason now.
Becca shook her head. “No, there are rooms. That's what the guy with the mic meant when he said that some of the women knew where to go and what to do. Their selections were waiting for them."
Sera didn't believe Becca. These guys couldn't have sex with the women. Wasn't that against the law? Wasn't it prostitution? “I don't believe you."
Becca opened her mouth but then snapped it shut. She stepped out of the way and swept her arm out. “Fine. See for yourself."
* * * *
For one heart stopping moment, Valentino feared Sera would not come to him. Her curvy redheaded friend spoke sharply and gestured wildly, making Sera's lovely face contort into an expression of doubt and disbelief. What was she saying, damnit?
"I was hoping I could have you tonight, Valentino,” a voice purred close to his left ear.
He turned to meet a familiar amber gaze. “Hello, Tabby."
The woman's name was actually Tabitha, but she hated it with a passion and claimed to adore the way he said her nickname. She came here almost every night if her big shot lawyer of a husband was out of town. Tonight was the third night this week, and Valentino wasn't looking forward to the feel of her sharp nails raking down his back.
Tabby flicked her chestnut hair over her shoulder and moved closer. Her breasts brushed his arm through her thin camisole, and her smile turned feline. “What do you say?"
"I've already been spoken for. Sorry."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and she glanced toward Sera. “She appears to have changed her mind."
Valentino glanced over as well and bit back a smile when Sera brushed by her friend and started his way again. “No, it looks like she knows exactly what she wants."
Tabby snaked her hand down his chest and snagged her fingers in the waistband of his shorts, but went no further. Even she knew better than to grope him on the main floor. She pressed closer and found his ear with her lips. “I want you when she's done. Is that understood?"
Valentino refrained from commenting as he gripped her wrist and eased her hand away from his body. She did nothing to hide how unhappy she was as she flounced away, but his full attention was on Sera, and he didn't care how ruffled Tabby's feathers were.
He had told Sera she was the sexiest woman in the place, and it was true. Unlike the others who were dressed in various “hooker” type outfits, she wore jeans and a silk blouse. The tight denim hugged her long, lean legs and the simplicity of the outfit was the perfect compliment to her unique beauty.
Her eyes were icy blue and slightly slanted at the edges, her nose was long and narrow, and her lips were plump. High cheekbones and slashing brows gave her a fierce exotic look, and the choppy black hair framing her face added to the illusion. She looked like a lost gypsy. As she moved across the floor, her blouse shifted to show little glimpses of her lacy bra. Fire shot to his groin, and he wondered if she had on panties to match. He'd know soon enough.
He reached for her when she was still a few strides away, and she accepted his hand. He wanted to pull her forward against his body, but rules were rules. Placing her palm to his chest, he began to move to the music. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted. “Dance with me, Sera."
For several beats, she didn't move, but then her hips started to swivel. She licked her lips and began to move a little faster.
Valentino nodded and stepped closer. On every other beat his body brushed lightly against hers. “I'd be honored if you would join me for a private session."
Her pale cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. “Um..."
Valentino grinned at the little sound. “I'll take that as a yes.” He tucked her hand around his elbow and led her away from all the other women and the pulsing music. They passed Tabby on their way into the narrow hallway leading to the private rooms, and he felt the heat of the woman's anger.
Sera must have sensed it as well because she said, “I think you've upset someone."
"She'll recover.” He wouldn't allow Tabby's possessiveness to ruin his time with Sera. He flashed a smile. “It looked like your friend was trying to convince you to stay away from me."
"She was.” Her gaze fell away from his. “She said you guys have sex here.” She looked at him again. “Is that true?"
Valentino didn't answer. He focused straight ahead and stayed silent the whole way to the room reserved for him and his guests. He motioned Sera inside and gave her a moment to take in the lush surroundings. His favorite color was red, and every shade imaginable decorated the bed, the walls, the floor, and the ceiling.
Sera's eyes were huge when they focused on his face. “I've never seen anything like this,” she breathed.
Valentino carefully reached back to close the door. One false move might be enough to send her fleeing, and he didn't want that to happen. “Do you hate it?"
She shook her head. “No, I don't. I actually really like it.” There was something odd about her tone, but he let it go. Her gaze fell upon the bed.
It was a large ridiculous thing with heavy red drapery and mounded pillows, but it was decadent to sleep in and women adored it. What did Sera think of it though? He'd ask after she'd spent some time in it.
"You said your friends forced you to come here tonight. Why?"
She pulled her gaze from the bed and ran her hands up and down her arms. “I'd rather not say if that's all right?"
"You aren't getting married tomorrow are you?"
"No,” she said with obvious surprise. “Why?"
Valentino shrugged. “This is a popular place for brides to spend their last night as a single woman."
"Have you entertained many brides to be?"
He met her gaze. “Do you really want to know?"
She lowered her lids without answering and took a step back toward the door. “I won't have sex with you,” she said softly. “If that's what goes on here, I won't be a part of it."
"Nothing will happen that you don't ask for, Sera."
She looked irritated by his reply. “I keep hoping you'll deny the fact that you h
ave sex here night after night, and you haven't done that yet."
"I won't deny the truth."
She studied his face for several moments then swept her gaze down his body. He was accustomed to being stared at, but she didn't look at him as if he were a slab of fresh meat. Her look was more intense, more searching. Incredibly intimate.
His body stirred as a result, and he hardened against the tight confines of his shorts. Sera's gasp filled the thick air and her eyes flew to his face. “Sorry,” he offered. “You can't hope a guy won't respond to such a look."
"Aren't you paid to respond?"
He shrugged. “If that's all you want from me, then yeah."
She crossed her arms and cocked her head. “So if I say I want you to stand there and let me look at you, you'll just do it?"
"Yep."
She shook her head. “That's ridiculous."
"I agree, especially since you've looked your fill on the website.” His words filled her face with color.
"Just because I know your name doesn't mean I looked at all your pictures,” she protested.
Valentino couldn't resist pushing her a little further. “Did you look, Sera?"
More color crept into her cheeks, and her gaze strayed toward the bed. “Maybe."
"I'm better in person."
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes flicked back to his face. “I cannot believe you just said that. In fact, I can't believe any of this. It's too odd.” She turned from him and reached for the door. “I need to leave now."
"I'll let you go after you tell me why your friends dragged you here. You aren't getting married, so what is it then? A bad break up? A bad husband?” He glanced at her left ring finger, but there wasn't a ring or a mark indicating there ever had been.
Her hand tightened around the doorknob, but she didn't turn it. “I told you I'd rather not say."
"But knowing will help me figure out how to behave around you. It might explain why you're so touchy."
She shot a glare over her shoulder, and the fire in her eyes made her nearly irresistible. “I am not touchy."
"Yes, you are.” Most women begged to stay longer, the fact that Sera longed to flee, intrigued the hell out of him.
