She twirled a strand of hair. “I guess you’re working all the time, then.”
“Fourteen to sixteen hour days, yeah. This is the first time I’ve had decent company in months.”
His hand rubbed her knee before he slid it up her thigh.
Evelyn took a gulp of her drink and pressed her knees together, holding his hand in place. They couldn’t fool around here.
Whatever he had planned had to wait.
She settled her drink between her thighs.
“I forgot to compliment you on your dress.” His hand retracted. “It’s tasteful. Perfect for such an occasion.”
What a way to cover his tracks after being cockblocked by a cup.
She’d get him back for this later.
“You know, I’ve been thinking.” His tone turned serious. “Maybe you were onto something back at your apartment.”
What happened to waiting until after their meeting to discuss this issue? They didn’t have time to screw around. If he didn’t give her the details about this job, she might mess everything up. Then he’d be upset. Pissed off, even.
Screw that. Time to bring Mr. Horndog back on track.
“We can discuss this later.” Evelyn adopted an authoritative tone. “Tell me—”
“I’m serious.” He set his hand on top of hers. “I’ve had a delightful afternoon with you so far. I hope it continues this evening.”
Well, at least his hand wasn’t cold this time.
Maybe her thigh warmed his fingertips, but they still had a bite to them. Just a little. She’d have to ask about his circulatory issues sometime.
Not now, though.
“All you have to do is pretend to be my dutiful girlfriend.” His thumb slid underneath her palm and rubbed it. “Easy, right?”
In theory, yes. They had enough chemistry between them. Christ, they couldn’t go a car ride without someone touching the other. Most of her previous clients behaved themselves. They only looked at the merchandise.
She should have objected to his behavior, but he didn’t give off the lecherous old man vibe. The man didn’t lie to her. He enjoyed her company.
Still, she’d behave herself this time.
“Sure.” She wrapped her fingers around his thumb. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do this evening? Besides fending off jealous women and irritating old men?”
“Well, there is one thing.”
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “What is it?”
“I’d like…” He paused, turning into another lane. “Yes. I think one kiss will do.”
If he wanted another kiss, then they had to discuss what happened in her living room.
Louis wouldn’t stop at one kiss. No sane man would. In fact, he’d continue teasing her until she couldn’t resist him. Unless he was shy in public and only became passionate behind closed doors.
Evelyn nibbled on her fingernail.
What a stupid notion.
Sure, he bought her hot chocolate. So what? Buying someone a drink meant nothing. Men bought their women dinner on their first date. Unless they were a jerk. Then those women paid for themselves.
Showing up to her apartment unannounced was a different story.
The longer she thought about him, the more charming he became. Even if he visited her out of concern, she had to gain control of this situation before things spiraled out of control. Then again, dating him sounded fun. Exciting, even.
No. They had to focus.
They had a job to do.
“I think we need to discuss what happened at the apartment.” Thank goodness her drink blocked his hands from wandering around her thighs. “I’m not looking for a relationship. To be honest, I’ve been single for two years. However… I enjoyed—ahem—liked what happened between us earlier.”
“Then I’ll change your mind.”
“Wait.” Her mouth went dry. “What do you mean ‘change my mind’? You haven’t—”
A teasing smile crossed his lips. “You’re worrying about this too much.”
That sly dog. He enjoyed this. He knew it riled her to dance across the line between their personal and professional relationships. It fed the fire between them and she—well, she loved it.
Damn him.
Evelyn wouldn’t lose this time.
“No. I want to know where we stand.” And how far she could push him without crossing the line. “Because what happened in my apartment—”
“You liked it, right?”
She scrunched her eyebrows together. “That’s not the point.”
“Did you like it or not?”
“Well…” Her finger rested on her bottom lip. “I guess I—”
“It’s a yes or no question.”
“No, it isn’t.”
Louis pulled the car onto the shoulder and parked. “Then I’ll make this answer simple for you.”
He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned her head toward him.
If those lips touched hers, they would never make it to his meeting. Jesus, God made life hard. She couldn’t ditch her work ethic and give him what he wanted. While his kisses tantalized her, she couldn’t abandon her work for a one-night fling.
No way.
She bit on her bottom lip, squirming in her seat. Her body betrayed her, warming at his actions. Those magical hands had danced across her skin. His lips made her quiver and melt.
Why did she want him so much?
“Are you sure you want this?” Her confidence trickled away the longer his lips hovered above hers. “Because this is a dangerous game we’re playing, you know.”
His hand rested under her chin. “You feel something, don’t you?”
Her bottom lip trembled. “Maybe.”
“Don’t bullshit me.”
“I’ve been in a few horrible relationships.” Her chest tightened, but she moved to close the gap between them. “My last boyfriend… well… he pushed his boundaries. I’ve been dealing with his shit for the last two years.”
“I’ve got a leech of an ex-wife.”
“I hurt people without trying.” Their lips nearly touched. “I’m freakishly strong for a woman.”
“I’m not human.”
“Your hands.” She fumbled for them. “They’re always cold. Why?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Tell me.”
“Later, perhaps.” He chuckled. “But I have one condition. Don’t bleed around me. It…it's dangerous if I smell blood.”
Her heart sank.
Why couldn’t she meet normal guys? They didn’t turn dangerous whenever they smelled blood. Shifters did. Vampires did. Some of those guys dealt with circulatory issues. In fact, a few shifters dealt with medical problems.
Jemina’s girlfriend—well, rival—didn’t count.
She shouldn’t be alive, but Louis only had circulatory problems. Some shifters had those. However, he didn’t act like a normal shifter, either. Maybe he disguised himself with a spell or something.
No.
He wouldn’t hide behind such cheap trickery.
They crossed a dangerous line with their little game the longer her lips hovered above his. Without thinking, she gave him another tentative kiss.
Her body reacted like someone had jolted it with electricity.
Goddamn him and his twisted logic. God teased her with giving her a man full of piss and vinegar. He didn’t promise money, but he teased her enough to want her own private after-party.
He better have a king-sized bed.
“We should get going.” She breathed out the words. “You know… before anything else happens.”
“You’re right.” He pulled those wicked lips away. “At this rate, we might be late.”
Evelyn grabbed her drink and downed it.
She turned on the radio and relaxed to the jazz music filling the car. For tonight, she’d pretend to be his girlfriend. No one would see through their white lie.
If she played her cards right, they wouldn’t
be lying to anyone after midnight.
By midnight, Louis would be hers.
5
Louis stayed silent for the rest of the ride, letting Frank Sinatra calm his raging hormones.
To her credit, Evelyn tried setting boundaries with him, but touching her warm body jumpstarted his hormones into overdrive. Drinking human blood paled in compared to this. Hell, everything did. Being affectionate had become harder the longer he lived.
He blamed it on his vampiric curse.
When he turned thirty, everyone seemed childish to him. Women turned catty about everything. Marianne—well, she fell into a league of her own. After a while, he just couldn’t pretend to love her anymore.
He couldn’t understand why Evelyn affected him, but he didn’t question it. The woman made him feel things he longed for again. No one had attracted him for decades. Not seriously, anyway. Touching her made him a love-struck fool, except he stayed drunk on lust.
The high hadn’t worn off yet.
God. He wanted more.
For once he didn’t have to bite her to show affection. Touching her succulent body worked well enough. Once their business concluded, he'd convince her to enjoy herself more.
He’d start with those gorgeous legs first.
Louis licked his lips. He couldn't wait to slip off those godforsaken pantyhose and insufferable heels. If he behaved, he could suckle a little blood from her, disguising it as a hickey. He had to be careful, though.
Otherwise, he’d have another damn thrall.
Humans are so fascinating. Darius woke up, yawning halfway through his sentence. They fought everything when the rest of the world changed and left them behind. They might not acknowledge us, but they’re afraid of Dracula. Well, until they made those cheesy vampire movies. Now, they’re scared of living dolls and the boogeyman underneath their bed.
Louis bit his cheek, hiding his growl. What’s your point?
You won’t have to worry about making Miss Firecracker a mindless thrall. She’s got enough will to keep you entertained for a while.
He turned into his driveway, opening the garage door with his portable remote. Once it opened, he parked next to a Porsche 911. What about afterward?
Look at her carefully.
Why?
Because you’ll understand everything in a minute.
Well, shit.
The old man never gave him free advice—not unless he made a major mistake or they had the same goal. He had behaved with Evelyn so far. In fact, he complimented the same body parts he did. If Darius reacted to her, then she had a secret admirer for life. Nothing caught the vampire’s attention. He saw everyone as children.
Louis could see his point.
He’d developed the same problem after leaving the reservation.
Good. We’re on the same page. Your vulture’s attractive as hell. Maybe it’s her scent. It’s divine.
Louis held the image of Evelyn wearing her lacy undergarments and taunted Darius with it. She’s a vulture? Get real.
Sweet Mother of—think for two seconds, Louie. The older man stretched inside his head. You’re past puberty, aren’t you?
I fail to see your point.
She’s a scavenger and you’re her prey. It’s the perfect name for her.
Louis breathed through his nose, understanding Darius’s words. Something else lingered underneath her flowery perfume. Floral with notes of spice. The same scent she had last night.
He dug deeper.
Cherry blossoms.
Her blood resembled blooming cherry buds.
Anyone would have missed it when they first met her. Her scent mimicked the finest notes of a Victoria’s Secret perfume. But her natural scent took him back to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.
Those flowers smelled beautiful.
You’re welcome, boy. He almost missed Darius’s sincere tone. Don’t screw this up.
Easy for him to say.
There went drinking her blood.
Louis smacked his hand against his forehead. Darius compared his life to a stupid fairytale. Vampires—even dhampirs—didn't get a happy ending. Ever. Someone cursed them to live for all eternity.
If that were true, then why did Darius give him a clue?
He wanted a real relationship. Another forced marriage would make him visit strip clubs and brothels with Hector again. Maybe the lion shifter got off on watching young women, but he couldn’t. Fake tits and dramatic orgasms did nothing for him. Neither did porn.
One downside of being half-vampire.
“Louis?”
Evelyn’s voice brought him back to reality. Her hand touched his forearm.
Her intoxicating scent deepened, mirroring the concern in her voice.
He unbuckled his seat belt, then opened the door, taking deep gulps of fresh air. It cleared his nostrils and dulled her sweet scent. It lingered, but didn’t impair him.
He’d have to be careful around her.
“Ah, you okay?” She squeezed his arm. “You spaced out for a minute.”
“Yeah, sorry.” He exited the car, rounded the vehicle, and then opened her door. “It’s been a long day.”
Evelyn grabbed her purse. “I’ll bet.”
“You can wait in the study.” He closed the door and locked it with a key fob. “I shouldn’t be long. I’ll send Morgan over to get you when I’m ready.”
The main doorway opened.
Morgan hurried to greet them, wiping white powder off his blazer. He adjusted the monocle over his right eye, then pulled out an antique watch. “You stayed out later than I expected.”
“Unexpected business.” Louis gestured to Evelyn. “Evie, this is Morgan. He’ll show you to the study.”
“Master Louis, the shareholders arrived twenty minutes ago.” An embarrassed look crossed the butler’s face. “We also had a powdered cake disaster. Lady Annabelle brought her twin boys with her and they started a food fight.”
Louis pressed two fingers against his temple. “I told her not to bring—”
“Oh, come on.” Evelyn touched his shoulder and moved past him. “Those kids are probably bored out of their skulls. Maybe Mom couldn’t get a babysitter. Or they bailed. Jem’s babysitter does it all the time whenever she’s got a hot date.”
Louis wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “Then Annabelle should have called another babysitter.”
“Yeah.” Her voice dipped to a disapproving drawl. “Good luck finding someone on short notice.”
“What am I supposed to do? Entertain these bratty children?”
“You give them something to do.” She put a hand on her hip. “Pay-per-view movies work. My brothers and sisters loved when we rented movies on Friday nights. Also, make sure you have snacks and popcorn. Kids like thinking they’re at the theater.”
He grunted.
Her bossy side came out around children.
“Come on.” She tugged on his shirt. “Set up a movie night inside your living room. It’ll keep them entertained until your meeting ends.”
Did her eyes have to light up like a Christmas tree whenever they talked about kids? They grew like saucers the longer she talked.
Confound it, she liked children.
He had to make her happy somehow.
“Ah, Evie…” He pulled her back, then rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m hardly home myself most of the time. I don’t have—”
“Seriously, you’re making this harder than this needs to be.” She pressed a finger against his collarbone. “Order Wonder Woman or The Greatest Showman and let the kids go to town. It’s better than being bored to death. I bet their mother brought nothing for them to do.”
The fiery woman marched into the mansion.
“Evie.” He caught up to her and tightened his grip on her wrist. “You can’t just barge into these events. They’ll look at you funny or whisper behind your back.”
Her eyes turned into dangerous slits. “I’m the equivalent of a hired hooker
. I don’t care what those stuffy suits think.”
Touché.
What a firecracker. Nothing stood in her way whenever she wanted something done. Not like these wishy-washy nobles. They’d roll over for the right price. But not her.
No wonder Darius liked her.
“Morgan, go grab Annabelle’s kids.” He pointed toward the door. “I’ll—I’ll figure out how to use pay-per-view, I guess.”
“As you wish. Use the kid’s section when you order the movie this time, sir.”
Louis’s jaw tightened.
What a way to reveal his dirty little secret.
“Aw, how cute.” She straightened the collar of his shirt. “Be lucky he’s looking out for you.”
He batted her hands away. “No, he’s not. Morgan loves teasing me.” He waited till the butler left before he continued. “I thought you’d freak out about dealing with kids. Annabelle pulls this stunt all the time.”
“I raised eight siblings.” Evelyn grabbed his tie. “They always misbehaved when they were bored.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “At least they’re not like Emilio and Isabella. I still remember the sledding accident. Now, show me where your living room is. We’ll order the movie through the remote.”
“You can handle this while I entertain the guests.” Louis moved her hands away, straightened his tie, and wrapped his arm around her while they walked. “Go straight through the hallway. Then turn left. The remote is on the table. Come in whenever the children settle down.”
“You got it.”
She brushed off her dress and left.
He went in the opposite direction, frowning at walking into the meeting alone. If someone put their grubby hands on him, he’d smack them. They couldn’t compare to the beauty who tried bossing around him in his own house.
Her scent marked him.
Calmed him.
No one could hold a candle when it came to Evelyn.
* * *
The terrace bustled with life by the time Louis arrived.
So much for arriving early. Everything started without him. All these meetings and parties followed the same tedious formula—spending half the time catching up with one another or finding out what their competition had planned at the office.
Vulture’s Kiss Page 5
