by Marilyn Lee
Cayenne closed her eyes and whispered one word. “Jayvyn.” Sucking in a breath, she turned away from the mirror and left the ladies’ room. She walked to Michael’s office. Noting that his office blinds were drawn, she tapped on the closed door.
“Come in,” he called.
She opened the door and stepped inside.
He rose, crossed the room, and took her into his arms. “I’ve missed you, sexy.”
“Then why haven’t I heard anything from you, Michael?”
“You’re hearing from me now,” he whispered and bent to kiss her.
She parted her lips and returned his kisses.
When he finally lifted his head to look down at her, she felt hot and aroused. He put an arm around her shoulders and walked her over to the sofa along one wall. Sitting down, he pulled her onto his lap. “Let’s have lunch.”
“When?”
“Today.” He massaged her breasts through her blouse.
“Today? I can’t.”
“Why not? Got a date already?”
He sounded amused—as if her having a lunch date was out of the question. While she was tempted to have lunch with him as a pre-cursor to a long night of hot, wonderful sex, she needed to keep her lunch date with Rayna.
If she didn’t, Cayenne wasn’t sure when she’d have a chance to ask Rayna about Jayvyn again.
“Yes.”
“Take a rain check.”
“I can’t.”
“What?” He allowed his hands to fall away from her breasts. “Who is this date with? Please don’t tell me it’s with that damned half-breed.”
“He’s not a half-breed and no, it’s not with him.”
“Look, are you still interested in our getting back together?”
“Yes. Sure.”
He frowned. “Why does your voice lack conviction?”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t. Of course I want to rekindle things with you.”
“Then break your ‘date.’”
She shook her head. “I told you I can’t.”
He rose. “Fine. I’ll give you a call when I’m free again.”
“What about tonight?”
“I’ll have to take a rain check.”
Bastard. “Fine. I’ll get back to work.” She rose and walked out of the office without another word.
The rest of the morning dragged. By the time Rayna stopped by her desk, it was just after one. “Are we still on for a late, quick lunch?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Great. Meet me at Downies in fifteen?”
She nodded. Twenty minutes later, Cayenne and Rayna sat across from each other at the restaurant on the ground floor of their office building. “How is he?” Cayenne asked—cutting Rayna off in the middle of a sentence about her morning.
Rayna sighed. “He’s had better times.”
“Is he angry with me?”
Rayna shrugged. “He’s going to need a few days.”
“So he is angry with me?”
Rayna hesitated before she spoke. “At the moment he’s angry with just about everyone.”
“So I shouldn’t expect him to call me?”
“He’s not ready for primetime at the moment.”
“What does that mean, Rayna?”
“He needs a few days.”
“Is he…am I going to see him again?”
“Of course you are. In fact, we’re having friends over all weekend. To kick it off, we’re having an adult dance at our house Friday night. Why don’t you come?”
“What’s an adult dance?”
“My uncles sing and sometimes they like to let their hair down. When they do, we have an adult dance. Why don’t you come spend the weekend with us?”
“Is Jayvyn going to be there?”
“Yes.”
“Is he going to mind my being asked?”
“Not once he sees you.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.”
“Then I’d like to come.”
“Great. Now. How do you feel about vamps?”
“Vamps?” Cayenne frowned. “You mean vampires?”
“Yes. How do you feel about them?”
She shrugged. “I thought the vampire from Forever Knight was kind of sexy, but generally, what’s to like?”
“Do you ever wonder if they really exist?”
Cayenne shuddered. “God, I hope not. Can you imagine feeling romantic with a man who has to make you bleed to get off?”
“A lot of women like the idea of their man needing them that much.”
“And what does that say about the women in question?”
Rayna sighed. “Do you like Uncle Jay?”
She nodded. “Yes. I think I do, but what has he got to do with vampires?” Rayna shrugged. “He’s a neck man.”
She nodded. “Tell me something about him I don’t already know.”
“Don’t you think he’d make a very sexy vampire?”
Cayenne shrugged and then nodded. “Actually, I do.”
“Vampires can be attractive and exciting lovers.”
“If they actually existed and looked like your uncle—maybe.”
Rayna smiled. “Who’s to say they don’t really exist?”
Cayenne laughed. “Get serious and tell me how I should dress for the weekend.”
“Bring something sexy for Friday night. The rest of the weekend is kind of casual. If the two of you don’t mind sharing a bedroom, feel free to invite Desiree. My guest bedroom has two full size beds.”
“Thanks. I’ll ask her and let you know.”
“Thanks. I’ll ask her and let you know.”
“Great.” Rayna glanced at her watch. “Now we’d better order before I have to get back to work.” Chapter Seven
Jayvyn spent most of the week struggling to deal with emotions he’d never expected to feel again. During the day, he endeavored to function normally on his latest construction site. He called Macarik several times but all of his calls went straight to voicemail. None of his calls were returned.
At night, he gorged himself on a feast of wild sex and blood. And when he least expected or wanted it, he discovered he was secreting blood with his cum. The knowledge made thoughts of Cayenne more difficult to handle.
Still, by Friday night when he left work and headed home, knowing he’d soon see her increased his sexual tension and frustration. Guests filled the house when he arrived. When he walked into the living room and saw several of the men who were members of Rocking Thunder, the band he’d formed twenty years earlier, a small measure of his tension vanished.
Braden and Raven Elkhorn, two of his human band mates were sprawled on one of the sofas. Sebastian and Max Stoner, both vampires, sat on another sofa on either side of Rayna. Surprised, Jayvyn arched a brow. Adrian and Conner stood by the patio doors, both their gazes on the sofa where Rayna sat.
Jayvyn relaxed and turned his attention back to the rest of his band members.
Brandon and Bancroft Grayhawk, two human friends, each sat on a third sofa with a smiling Toni between them.
Toni. What the hell was she doing here? Having her and Cayenne at the mansion at the same time wasn’t going to turn out well. And one of the band members was conspicuous by his absence—Macarik. Damn. The weekend wouldn’t be the same without him.
“Hail to the chief,” they called out and rose as he walked in.
He smiled and walked around the room shaking hands with each of them.
When he extended his hand to Brandon Grayhawk, the other male clasped it for longer than was necessary and looked into his eyes and what felt like into his soul. As he started to turn away, Brandon placed a hand on the back of his neck.
Jayvyn sucked in a breath and forced himself not to look away. He often found Brandon’s touch invasive.
Brandon’s ability to probe other’s thoughts was almost vampire-like in nature.
“How are you, Jayvyn?”
“Fair to middling.
And you?” Brandon hadn’t yet recovered from the murder of his fiancé, a woman he considered his perfect mate or his sheenea. But his own loss had never dimmed his interest in his friends’ emotional well-being. Although they had never discussed it, he often wondered if Brandon sensed his true nature.
Brandon shrugged. “I’m getting there—slowly but surely.” He smiled and finally released Jayvyn’s hand.
Bancroft, Brandon’s identical twin, gripped his hand and slapped him on the back. “How the hell are you, Chief?”
“I’ve been better,” he admitted. Bancroft had recently gone through a dark period of his own. “What about you?”
Bancroft grinned. “Thanks to the support of my family, I’ve never been better.”
“I’m glad to hear it, Croft,” he said.
Toni smiled and started to rise. “There you are, darling.”
He held up a hand. “I need to shower and change. Give me half an hour.” He glanced at Rayna and extended a hand. “Walk with me?”
Rayna nodded and rose.
When she stopped beside him, he put an arm around her shoulders.
She slipped her arm around his waist. “How was work, Uncle Jay?” They discussed his workweek until they were in his suite with his door closed. He released her and sat on the bed to remove his shoes. “Does Toni’s presence mean Cayenne isn’t coming?”
“No. She and her friend are going to be my guests for the entire weekend.”
“And in which country would it be a good idea to have them both here tonight?”
“I admit it could be problematic if it’s not handled properly.”
“I admit it could be problematic if it’s not handled properly.” He unbuttoned his work shirt. “Why invite them both?”
“I didn’t actually invite Toni. She overheard me making arrangements and invited herself.” He arched a brow and took off both his shirt and undershirt. “And you didn’t protest?” She shrugged. “I would have, but I felt I owed her for helping you through this last week.” She crossed the room to kiss his cheek. “I’m counting on your innate charm to keep your two women from getting into a catfight that Cayenne couldn’t possible win.” She smiled and waltzed out of the room.
Compressing his lips, he finished undressing and went to take a long, warm shower. With his eyes closed, it was difficult not to allow his thoughts to turn to Cayenne. But damn if he’d be ruled by an interest in a silly, shallow bitch who considered him a parasite while thinking a man who treated her like shit was a good catch. When he returned downstairs, several of the other guests had arrived, including Macarik’s two brothers. But Macarik wasn’t with them.
Damn.
His mood brightened when he saw that several of the other Grayhawks were there. Layton, Randall, and Peyton were with their wives. Their newly discovered younger brother Cameron sat on a loveseat with Rayna, and an undeniable look of lust in his eyes.
Smiling, Jayvyn crossed the room to greet the Grayhawks. He saw that Randall and Peyton had brought their guitars. “Joining in tonight?” he asked.
Randall nodded, glancing over at his wife, Benai who sat with another tall, full-figured woman. The sight of her gave Jayvyn a ray of hope. Surely, Macarik wouldn’t trust his woman alone here with so many horny males.
“Great. Excuse me.” Jayvyn nodded at the Grayhawks and crossed the room. He bent to kiss Benai Grayhawk’s cheek before he took the other woman’s hand in his and lifted her to her feet. “Hi, beautiful.” Shanise Arnold laughed and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. “You’re almost as full of it as Macarik is. If you want to see beautiful, you’re talking about Avantae.”
Avantae Grayhawk, Peyton’s wife was a statuesque beauty with clear brown skin, arresting gray eyes, and a regal air. “I’m sure Peyton thinks Avantae is the most beautiful woman in the world, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
“And?”
“And I happen to know Macarik thinks you’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” he told her, slapped her on her ass and gently raked his teeth against her neck.
“Hey you, keep your teeth and hands to yourself,” she said and pushed him away.
He bent to kiss her neck. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Is everything okay between you two?”
“No. I fucked up,” he admitted.
She brushed her hand against his cheek. “Probably not for the first time.” Instead of angering him, the remark helped release some of his tension. He laughed. “Unfortunately not. Is he coming?”
She sighed. “I don’t know, but I’m sure you’ll work out whatever is wrong between you.” He sighed. “Dance with me?”
“Sure,” she smiled.
As he took her in his arms, he saw Sebastian Stoner cross the room to the love seat where Rayna and Cameron Grayhawk sat. Moments later, Sebastian and Rayna slow danced while Cameron looked on with a frown.
Toni tapped him on the shoulder. “I think this is my dance, Jayvyn.” He gave her a cool look and shook his head. “I’m already dancing.” She gave Shanise a cool look before she stalked across the room to sit beside Cameron, placing her hand on his thigh.
Within seconds, Layton and Brandon Grayhawk crossed the room to them. None of the other Grayhawk brothers moved, but Jayvyn noticed all of them had turned their attention to the loveseat.
If Toni expected to amuse herself with Cameron, she would be in for a surprise. The Grayhawk clan, headed by Layton, were close-knit and he suspected hell would freeze over before they allowed Toni to lure Cameron into her bed. Layton placed a hand on Cameron’s shoulder. When he looked up at his older brother, Brandon reached down and took Toni’s hand.
She smiled and eagerly waltzed into his arms when he asked her to dance. He quickly danced her away from She smiled and eagerly waltzed into his arms when he asked her to dance. He quickly danced her away from the loveseat and Cameron.
It was going to be an interesting weekend, Jayvyn thought as he turned his attention back to Shanise.
* * *
“Ready to party the weekend away?”
Seated in the passenger seat of Desiree’s car on the drive to the Redwolfe’s home, Cayenne shook her head.
“Actually, I’ve been sitting here thinking this is a bad idea.”
“Why? I thought you wanted to see him.”
“I did—I do, but I don’t think he feels the same way anymore. He hasn’t called me or sent me roses all week. I don’t think he’s feeling all warm and fuzzy about me anymore. For all I know maybe his woman returned early and she’ll be there ready to warn me off.”
“Do you want to go back home?”
“That would be the most sensible thing to do.”
“Then I’ll get off at the next exit and head back home. We can have a girls’ night out with just the two of us.” She sighed. “That’s what we should do.”
“But?”
“But I want to see him.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know why. I just know I want to see him—even if things turn out badly.”
“Then think positive.”
She nodded. “You’re right. It’s going to be a good weekend.”
“That’s the spirit. We’ll arrive fashionably late and have a great weekend. If I’m lucky, I might even get laid.” Cayenne glanced at her friend. “In the mood for a one-night stand?”
“Hell, yeah. It’s been awhile and while my BOBs are adequate, I’m in the mood for some real meat. So, are you going to be okay with me disappearing for most of the weekend if I get the chance?” She dismissed the selfish urge to say no. Desiree hadn’t had much luck with men since her husband’s death. She deserved whatever happiness she was bold enough to take. “Of course. Don’t worry about me. We’re here to enjoy ourselves—even if we don’t see each other again until Sunday night.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m positive, Desi.”
“Then it’s on, girl.”
She smiled
and squeezed Desiree’s leg.
When they arrived twenty minutes later, Rayna, followed by a tall, full-figured woman and a tall male with dark hair and blue eyes met them at the door. The male looked enough like Jayvyn for Cayenne to assume he was his older brother.
Rayna introduced the couple as Adrian and Brandi Redwolfe. Brandi smiled and welcomed them both. Adrian smiled and shook hands with Desiree before he turned to take Cayenne’s hand between both of his.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cayenne.”
“And you.”
He released her hand to put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Rayna, Brandi, and I hope you’ll both enjoy the weekend. If there’s anything that you need and don’t see, please feel free to ask and we’ll be happy to accommodate you.”
“Thank you.”
“And now let’s go meet some of the others,” Rayna said.
They followed her down the hall to the living room.
“Holy hell,” Desiree whispered. “It’s hunk central.”
The huge room was filled with people. Some were dancing, some sitting, and talking but Cayenne only had eyes for one. Jayvyn slowed danced with a beautiful woman who looked like a supermodel.
“Which one is yours, Cay?”
Before she could respond, Jayvyn suddenly looked up and at her.
The tentative smile forming on her lips froze when he looked away without acknowledging her in anyway.
“None of them,” she said in a dispirited voice.
“Okay. Which one is Jayvyn?”
“The one in the black leather pants and black shirt.” And damn if he didn’t look hot.
Desiree nudged her. “Don’t look now, Cay, but I see at least six hunks dressed that way.” Cayenne blinked. “He’s the hunky one.”
“They’re all hunky.”
“The men in black are members of Uncle Jay’s band, Rolling Thunder,” Rayna said. “If you’re ready, let me introduce you to Uncle Conner.” She gestured to a tall male with blue eyes and dark hair who was clearly Adrian’s twin.
He smiled and immediately crossed the room to them.
Cayenne struggled to look at him and not Jayvyn and the woman he danced with as Rayna introduced them. He was as charming to her as Adrian had been. “Have you eaten yet?” he asked.
