by Devlin Chase
The men were still eyeballing each other as she staggered back and turned, pushing across the room on shaking legs. As she reached the door which led to the bathrooms she stole a quick glance over her shoulder.
Darien and Jacen were still standing next to the table and the fact that she was no longer there had done little to ease the tension. They both looked ready to start pummeling each other and Darien’s hands were clenched into fists at his side. Jacen had leaned his head forward and down, staring at Darien the way a snake might hypnotize its prey before striking.
As if he’d felt her pause, Darien’s eyes flicked in her direction and Jacen took the momentary lapse to lunge at Darien, his hand wrapping around the other man’s throat in a vice-like grip, lifting him off his feet and slamming him down across the table.
But Darien was fast, his foot hooking around Jacen’s thigh even as he hit the table, forcing the taller man to lose his grip for a second. With a barely perceptible shove Darien was back on his feet, the two men staring at each other barely two feet apart.
Nobody seemed to have noticed the altercation and Cat realized that it had occurred in the blink of an eye, leaving the two men standing in much the same way as they had before, their movements all but invisible to the other patrons.
Seeing them standing there, their hands clenched at their sides as they glowered at each other brought back Darien’s earlier warning and Cat pushed through the door as another wave of nausea hit her. She had the distinct impression that she and the tequila were about to part ways.
Moving as fast as she could down the crowded corridor Cat weaved her way between the clusters of bodies that were holding up the walls and reached the door to the ladies’. The room was empty and she breathed a sigh of relief as she found an empty stall.
It took only a few minutes to see the last of the tequila leave her stomach, but her hands were shaking badly as she left the stall and moved to the sinks. She could hardly turn the tap but finally she got the water to flow and managed to dab some across her cheeks. Then she rinsed out her mouth before drying her hands with a paper towel.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror above the sink, seeing the smudges under her eyes where her makeup had run. Her skin was ghostly pale, her eyes sunken and terrified.
She was trying to repair the damage to her makeup when the door opened behind her. Thinking it was another clubber she didn’t look up until a wave of cold air reached her and she lifted horrified eyes to the mirror and met Jacen’s gaze in the reflection.
He stepped forward until he stood right behind her, leaning forward to grip the sink counter on either side, effectively trapping her in the circle of his arms. Despite the cold that had radiated from him as he’d entered the bathroom, she could feel the heat of him through his t-shirt as he pressed up behind her. He never took his eyes from hers, even as he leaned down to brush his lips against her ear.
Cat was rooted to the spot, her legs sagging as she leaned into the counter. She could feel Jacen’s erection pressing into her hip and her eyes widened as her lips parted on a gasp. Staring at him in the mirror she watched as a smile lifted the corner of his mouth.
“You really don’t have to believe a word Darien’s told you.”
His tongue flicked out and she shuddered as he ran it up the edge of her ear, shrinking back only to press even harder against his erection. Jacen groaned against her ear.
“He’s such a remote bastard anyway, thinking only about his money and his obligations.”
The voice came at her like a sigh and Cat shivered at his warm breath on her neck, gasping again as he ground his rigid arousal into her hip.
“I, however, like to live with a little more sensation.”
One hand released the edge of the counter as he reached up and wrapped it around her neck. His touch was warm and oddly gentle as he applied the lightest of pressure, turning her head to the side and exposing her neck.
Still keeping his eyes on hers he leaned down and breathed deeply, as if savoring the fear that must have been pouring off her skin. His breath was warm and damp as he ran his tongue up her skin, pausing to lick a circle over the throbbing vein beneath her jaw.
Cat’s feet had turned to stone and it was only her grip on the counter that kept her upright. If she let go she’d sag against Jacen and she knew she’d never have a hope in hell of getting out of the room alive. Her heart was pounding in her chest, blood rushing through her veins that she felt it whooshing in her ears. She didn’t hear the door swing open, but they both heard the voice that cracked through the air.
“Hello Jacen. Did you miss me?”
They both turned at sound of the silky voice, Cat registering Jacen’s sudden move away from her. She sagged against the counter and twisted her body around to see the woman standing in the doorway. And she simply stared at the vision of the avenging angel who stood in the open doorway. She would have stood out anywhere and even here at Nylon she would have turned heads and cat knew she was facing another vampire. She could only hope that she was with Darien rather than Jacen.
She stepped into the room, the door swinging shut behind her and her mouth opening in a grin that could only be described as pure wickedness.
She was dressed in chains and there must have been some clothing underneath although Cat couldn’t see any. The metal was draped artfully over her breasts and thighs, revealing nothing but hinting at everything. Larger links were wrapped around her legs and arms, looping together to create an impression so unique that it screamed of bondage but looked so much scarier. Cat could only stare as the woman approached.
Her hair was platinum, streaked through with swathes of black, cascading down her back to reach her hips. Silver spiked boots rode up her slender legs to her knees and she gripped a length of heavy chain in hands that looked too elegant to be handling anything as a weapon. Her sculpted nails were glittering black and one was tapping against the metal links. Tick tick tick.
She stepped calmly into the middle of the room, the length of the chain swinging gently at her side as Cat caught her first real look at her face. A cruel beauty stared back at her. It was the only way Cat could describe the cold perfection before her and she took an instinctive step back. The vampire turned her head, piercing Cat with eyes that matched the silvery glow of the metal she was draped in, eyes that were rimmed with smoky blackness, accentuating their lack of warmth.
The deep dark red of her lips shifted as she bared her teeth at Cat, fangs exposed before the sneer vanished as quickly as it had surfaced. Then her attention was focused again on Jacen and this time she opened her lips in a mocking smile.
“Looks like you need to keep more than just your fangs under wraps, cousin.”
Her eyes slid down his body, the smile widening as she took in his erection, which still strained the front of his jeans.
Jacen seemed unfazed at the woman’s scrutiny as he stood motionless before her. Only his eyes tracked her every movement, watchful for a sudden strike.
“Marabella. It’s always such a pleasure to see you; especially when you’re undressed.”
The female’s eyes darkened in a flash but, when she smiled again, it seemed to be with more genuine affection.
“Oh Jacen, darling. Still lingering on the past are we? I thought we’d gotten over that little phase decades ago.”
Her lips parted and her tongue slid out to play with the point of one of her fangs as she smiled. “But here we are, just like old times. You, me and a tender little human between us.”
Her smile vanished as her voice hardened. “But this time darling, I don’t intend to share.”
Her voice, directed now at Cat, was as smooth as silk.
“You’d better get out of here, little innocent.”
Cat’s feet were fighting her brain’s desire to get the hell out of the bathroom. They stayed rooted to the spot as Marabella took another step toward Jacen.
“Get the fuck out of here!”
The shout bounce
d off the tiles, hitting Cat from all directions and it was enough to spur her feet into action. She reached the door, her hand grabbing for the handle, when Jacen’s voice reached her.
“Bye Catherine. See you later.”
She froze, her hand on the cold handle as she heard the click of Marabella’s heels on the tiles.
“Oh, no you don’t…”
“Ciao ‘Bella. Till next time.”
Laughter rocketed around the room as Cat felt a pulse hit her from behind, the energy slamming her into the door. She didn’t even turn to see what had happened; Marabella’s curse was enough to tell her that Jacen was no longer in the room.
Pulling the door open she flew into the passage, slamming into Darien, who instinctively wrapped his arms around her.
The gesture was not intended to soothe her and he released her immediately, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her down the corridor, past the unemotional stares of the club-goers who were either stoned or wishing they were.
Then he was dragging her across the dance floor at a brisk pace, Cat struggling against his grip, which was like a band of iron around her arm. “Let me go!”
She dug her heels in, trying to force him to slow down as she tugged against him. “You have no right!”
“No right?!”
He rounded on her, his face so full of fury that she shrank back. He was painfully aware of the terrified look in her eyes and closed his own. When he opened them again they were filled with such devastation that she breathed in sharply.
Bodies writhed around them but all Cat could see was Darien and the desperation with which he was trying to keep his emotions in check.
His words were just a whisper over the pounding music. “I almost lost you tonight.”
She couldn’t help herself. Of its own volition, her free hand reached out, coming to rest against his broad chest. She could feel the rise and fall as he breathed hard, his hand moving to cover hers. Warmth suffused her skin as they stood alone on the dance floor, surrounded by hundreds of people.
Darien was in agony.
Emotions he’d never felt before were slamming through his body and, while he had no idea where this sudden desire to possess came from, every fibre of his being wanted to pull this woman close, crush her against him as he wrapped his arms around her, protecting her from all the danger the world had to offer.
Desire swept through him; desire to protect her; to love her; to satisfy the burning needs he sensed smoldering just beneath the surface.
But he couldn’t be the one she needed; she had to be with her own kind. That was the way things were supposed to work.
Her own kind. The thought burned through him, the pain almost a physical reality as his chest tightened. His grip on her loosened.
Hell, he was skating the edge of being shunned by his own kind and yet here he was, aching for a chance to be with the one woman who had to be forever untouchable.
The Council might not have told him everything he needed to know about Catherine De Sano but there was no longer any need. He knew exactly who she was; and it put her completely out of his world and out of his reach.
But damn it if he hadn’t wanted to rip Jacen’s heart out with his bare hands when he’d walked in and found them together.
Her hand on his chest felt like a burning brand and he could feel the pressure of her fingertips increase as she was jostled by one of the dancers on the floor. Instinctively he snaked one arm around her waist, pulling her closer, his free hand closing over hers again, linking them together.
Lust raged though him, driving the breath from his body as he stared down at Cat, all too aware that he was frightening her.
“What the hell were you thinking?” The words were more forceful than he’d intended and he ground his teeth as she flinched in his embrace. But he wasn’t thinking rationally anymore; his rage and fear at seeing her with Jacen overwhelming him.
“I warned you about him and you practically walked right into his arms.”
Cat stiffened, her eyes flashing fire as she pushed her hands against his chest.
“I didn’t know who he was until you walked in here!”
She pushed again, but Darien’s arms were like bands of steel. “I don’t feel any safer in your arms either.”
Darien flinched. He knew she was right. Grabbing her the way he had, dragging her across the dancefloor, he was no better than Jacen.
“It’s my job to protect you,” he gritted out.
“Your job?” Confusion glittered in Cat’s eyes, turning quickly to outrage. “Your job?”
Damn. Now she was angry. It hadn’t been his intention to make her mad any more than it had been to frighten her in the first place. Anguish twisted like a knife in his gut and he pulled her closer, his arms tightening until she was pressed fully against him.
Her mouth opened on a gasp, her eyes filled with a fury that lit them from within and Darien did the only thing he could think of to keep her from unleashing that fury on him.
He kissed her.
His mouth slanted across hers, hot and hard. Caught off guard Cat forgot to resist the kiss until she realized she didn’t really want to resist at all. His lips felt like molten sunshine across her own and a moan rumbled in her throat, his tongue tracing lightly along her lower lip before sliding easily into her mouth. Their tongues tangled as he explored her and she was dimly aware that her hands had moved from his chest, one gripping his shoulder while the other had slid up around his neck.
God, he tasted good, all spice and devastatingly male as he invaded her mouth over and over again. She pressed herself closer, feeling the unmistakable hardness of his desire against her belly.
Then he was pulling away, ending the kiss with a final tug on her lower lip which brought another gasp from her. Her eyelids fluttered open and she saw him staring down at her, his eyes filled with burning hunger and stunned surprise in equal measure. Then he blinked and his expression eased, his gaze watchful as he scanned the crowded dancefloor.
Cat could only stare at him. Where the hell had that kiss come from? She knew he’d only kissed her to keep her from yelling and making a scene but every neuron in her body had lit up the moment his lips had met hers and she was still reeling from the sheer pleasure of it.
“We need to get out of here.”
Darien’s voice had become cool once more, his expression tight as he steered her toward the passage that led out of the club. Cat fully intended to dig her heels in and refuse to go anywhere with him so she spent a few seconds berating herself when she found herself walking steadily at his side, the feel of his hand at her back causing a shiver to race along her spine even as she reveled in the protective gesture.
The frigid air outside the club cleared her head almost instantly however and she pulled away from Darien as he tried to steer her down the road. He reached out and snagged her wrist, pulling her back to his side.
“Catherine, we need to get out of here.”
She balked at the calmness of his tone. The man had just kissed her silly and now he was all business. Well two could play that game.
“I’m parked that side.” She waved her hand in the opposite direction, her mouth set in a stubborn line.
“I know. But you’ve had quite a shock so I think I should drive you home.”
“I don’t think so. I’m perfectly capable of driving home by myself, thank you.” She tried to pull out of his grip, infuriated when he refused to let go. “Damn it, let go of me!”
“You’re in no condition to drive by yourself…”
Darien got no further than that as a solid punch hit him square in the gut. He hardly felt the blow but he’d reflexively let go of Cat as soon as her fist connected.
He watched in amazement as she spun on her heel and began marching off in the opposite direction, her boots punching the sidewalk, her back straight.
Cat was furious. How dare he tell her she wasn’t okay to drive? Her hand was burning; the man had abs like a brick wa
ll and she couldn’t help but wonder whether he’d feel as good when she wasn’t trying to slug him in the gut.
She shook her wrist, clenching her fist as she tried to shake out the residual ache. Then she grimaced with frustration when Darien’s laughter reached her, making her wish for an instant that she’d punched him in the mouth instead. But that would be a pity because it was such a delicious mouth…
Not gonna go there. Thinking about a vampire’s mouth was so not a good thing when you’re mad at that very same vampire.
Vampire. Just the thougth was enough to have the theme music from the Twilight Zone playing in her mind.
Cat felt Darien fall into step beside her but she continued walking. “If it’s alright with you, I’ll follow you. Make sure you get home okay.”
His voice was filled with amusement but she couldn’t stop the small lift of her lips at the gentlemanly words. But she was not about to get drawn in by his courteous manner.
“Whatever.”
She tried to sound flippant but could hear the breathiness in her voice. Shit. Now she sounded like a teenager on her first date. She sighed. “Just leave me alone Darien. Please.”
Laughter rumbled, laced with wry amusement and she stole a quick glance at him. He looked so calm and unruffled, despite his earlier altercation with Jacen.
“Can’t do that, love.” He grinned and she caught a flash of fang. “I’m going to make sure you get home okay so there’s no point trying to argue about it.”
They were nearly at her car and Cat reached into her pocket to pull out her car keys. Darien was right. There was no point trying to argue with him, so she decided not to bother. Instead she nodded.
“Okay, fine. Follow me home if you like.”
Without another word she stepped up to the car, reaching out to slide the key into the lock when Darien’s hand closed around her wrist again. The grip was gentle, only enough pressure to force her to turn and face him. He leaned in close and her skin tingled, despite her effort to seem indifferent.
“If you start feeling shaky or anything just pull over. I’ll be right behind you.”
