She sensed he was pleasantly surprised by her.
Taelour resumed her seat in the chair and Aleck took one on the sofa to her right. Rhemy handed her a fresh glass of champagne, though she didn’t look up to thank him, and was sure she’d had plenty of the bubbly already. Her head was still buzzing, either because of the emotions she’d had to relive or because of the alcohol. Or the kiss. Impossible to tell.
While Rhemy poured his friend a glass, the two men made small talk, and Taelour found herself tuning out their conversation, studying Aleck.
He was ruggedly handsome with granite-colored eyes, an unshaven, sharp jaw, and dark hair. The indigo colored suit he wore was definitely bespoke on his well-built frame.
In sum, going to the Centurias with him would be very bearable, if all she had to go on was outward appearances.
Rhemy took his seat, watching her.
She and Aleck clicked glasses, and she drank a tiny sip, suddenly uneasy now that there were three of them in the room.
“So,” Aleck began, glancing from Rhemy to her. “Not to be blunt, but you obviously know why we’re meeting, Taelour.”
She folded her hands on her knee and smiled. “Yes.”
“I don’t want to give you the, uh, desperate impression,” Aleck joked, “but, I am.”
Using her best, most charming tone, she said, “I don’t see how. I would think a man like you would have the opposite problem of desperation.”
“I’m flattered, but there aren’t many women who want to go with me.”
“No?”
“And only the ones I wouldn’t want to take are making their wishes to go known.”
“And what about me?” she gracefully gestured. “I’m making my wish to go known.”
“You are the first one I’m considering. Rhemy was right. You were worth the trip.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and opened his palm. The silver Centurias key rose a few inches and gently floated above his hand, turning around like the magickal piece it was. “He told me to bring it. I assumed so you’d know you weren’t wasting your time.”
It was hypnotizing to watch. She’d never seen one before. “Thank you.”
He caught it and put it back in his pocket. “What is your main objective for going? Social? Business? A bit of both?”
Oh, she’d answered that question before, hadn’t she? She felt, rather than saw, Rhemy hold his breath. “You see, I’m…” She faltered, her mind blank. She tried again. “I’m…” I’m unable to even think with Rhemy staring at me like that.
Aleck raised his brows, waiting.
“Since when are you shy, Taelour?” Rhemy teased.
At the deep timbre of Rhemy’s intoxicating voice, she inhaled, ignoring him, and kept her attention strictly on Aleck. “I’m sorry. I’m a little nervous.”
“There’s no right or wrong answer. I’m just curious.”
Not surprisingly, his touch did nothing for her. “Well—”
Rhemy’s chair scraped the floor loudly as he stood up. “I have to take a call. Excuse me, please.”
She didn’t hear a phone ringing, but then again, now that he was out of the room, part of her finally relaxed. She was determined to be her most delightful self with Aleck from every second on.
“You see, Aleck, I…” Looking into his eyes, she found she couldn’t lie to him, but nor could she relay the whole truth either. She settled for a half. “Social, mostly. I don’t have the kind of bank account that would permit me to seek out alliances. There’s someone in particular I need to see. Other than that, I’ll be at your disposal to help you with whatever you need. You wouldn’t regret taking me.”
He sat back, one arm draped across the sofa’s back. “Nevertheless, you might regret me taking you.”
“Oh? Why would you say that?”
His stormy eyes slightly narrowed. It was as if he debated being frank with her. “I’m not like most vampires who go to the Centurias. I’m an immortal forsaken. Did Rhemy tell you that?”
She shook her head. “He didn’t, but it doesn’t matter to me anyway.”
He blinked. “No?”
“Rhemy is one, too, and I…” And I want him so much I can barely make complete sentences. “I don’t hold that against him.”
Aleck’s mouth slightly turned up at the corners. “Good.”
“Whatever you’ve done to be branded one doesn’t affect me.” She cocked her head a little to the right. “You’re more than just an immortal forsaken.”
He was quiet for a moment, a flash of something like hope crossing his gaze. “What am I?” he whispered.
She sensed he was expecting more than what she was about to give. “Um, I can tell you’re an interesting person just by a few small clues. Your cuff links, for instance, are quite eye-catching.” She dropped her gaze to one. “Resembling wind-up watches from—oh, I’d say, early to mid-twentieth century? Either you’re a fan of steampunk or antique clocks, or obsessed with time. Were they custom made?”
For some reason, he appeared disappointed in her response, but also impressed by her keen attention to detail. He touched one of the cufflinks as if he’d forgotten he put them on. “My brother had them made.”
“They’re one of a kind,” she remarked with genuine awe. “I’d also guess you’re not going to the Centurias because you want to, only because you have to. So it leads me to believe you think of it as a business trip, rather than a social one?”
He looked at her for a few moments, seemingly taken aback. “How did you figure I didn’t want to go?”
“Rhemy said your brother used to, but that you have to go this time. I’m guessing it’s either because your brother can’t or won’t, and that you’re obliged to take his place.”
“By the gods, you are clever.”
His sensa started to wind her way, potent, but subtle. Nothing like Rhemy’s, which had all the subtly of a siren. Because Aleck would know if she rejected it, she took it in, her eyes softly glowing as proof, pleasantly feeding her body’s needs. She shrugged. “It was a good guess.”
“Well, I’m impressed. Yes, you’re right. My brother has been twice. I never had a penchant to go, despite the stories of how spectacular it is. Shain is the more…outgoing one, had made many positive alliances every time he went. But.” He seemed reluctant to continue. “He unfortunately is in exile. So my parents are looking to me to fix it. I anticipate more than one eye will glare my way, and countless rebuffs. So yes, my appearance is for the alliances alone.”
“From what I heard, it’s all a game.”
He nodded. “A game where the rules are constantly changing, as well as the players, and many moving pieces. Some winners end up being losers, and vice versa. Sounds like dressed-up chaos to me.”
Taelour could only imagine. “I think you’ll do just fine.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Instinct.” An instinct that was also signaling that there was more to Aleck than meets the eye, something about him she couldn’t put her finger on, a darkness, a distance. It was alluring, yet a little discomfiting.
Aleck’s sexy smile turned a tad sinister, as though he’d read her thoughts. It distracted her long enough not to have realized Rhemy returned, back in his seat. Her spine tingled with wild nerves again, but she knew she gave nothing away.
“You good?” Aleck asked him.
Rhemy crossed an ankle over the knee. “Nothing I can’t handle. How are things in here?”
“We didn’t miss you,” his friend replied in jest, glancing at Rhemy.
“I’m sure you didn’t.”
Aleck’s attention went back to her, an odd look in his gaze, but he quickly recovered it. “I just need to know, is there a boyfriend or lover in the picture? I don’t want any jealous males chasing down our plane.” He paused. “I’d want you all to myself.”
Did she just see Rhemy’s hand squeeze to a fist and release?
“No,” she said, feeling out of breath with her heart’s sudden racing. “
There’s no one.”
Aleck studied her with his steely gray eyes for a few uncomfortable seconds, then did the same to Rhemy. “I see.” Face expressionless, he stood.
She rose as well, a dread coming over her.
Aleck grasped her hands in his. “Under different circumstances, I’d easily take you to the Centurias, Taelour. But I just can’t. I’m sorry. I have to be going.”
What? Heart thundering in her ears, she swallowed hard. What scared him away? She was afraid to ask. “Oh. I’m sorry, too. It was still great meeting you.”
“My pleasure.” He half-turned. “Rhemy? A word?”
Aleck walked out, and she closed her eyes with that utterly awful feeling of failure.
Rhemy strode past her, appearing as confused as she did, before rushing after his friend.
Six
Bastard.
The look on Taelour’s face had ripped Rhemy’s heart out, and he didn’t understand why his friend was leaving so abruptly.
He pulled the door closed, contemplating whether or not he should shove Aleck through the wall. “I thought you two were getting along well. What’s wrong? Is she not almost exactly what you were looking for?”
“Yes, she is, but we both know I can’t take her.”
“I sure as hell don’t.”
“Really? Because she’s yours, which is why I think it’s odd you even called.”
“Wait. No, no, no.” Rhemy raised his palm and shook his head. “You’re mistaken. What would make you say that?”
“Good gods, you’re in denial. Deep in denial.” Though his tone was teasing, there was a trace of pity in the man’s voice.
“I swear, Aleck, she’s not mine.”
“Take her vein and you’ll see she is. I guarantee it. I can’t believe you haven’t already.”
Aleck frowned. “It wouldn’t matter. She’s a pürblood.”
His longtime friend blinked, dropping his hand from Rhemy’s shoulder. “Oh. Well, let me paint you a picture of what I was experiencing in there. The entire time you looked only at her, and she never looked at you. Yet, every time you spoke, I could feel her react, and every time she spoke, I could feel you tense. Your sensa was practically choking me, Rhemy. It was confusing at first, but then it hit me. The moment—the very second you returned from taking your supposed phone call—and I said that I wanted her to myself, I saw a fire in your eyes I’d never seen in you before, for any woman. Ever. I knew I had to go. I didn’t want to lead her on, as it was clear I was wasting my time. I can’t take a woman who is secretly yearning for someone else. Especially when he’s one of the few, true friends I have.”
And here Rhemy thought they were doing a stellar job of keeping any tension under convivial masks. Obviously no matter how much he insisted, Aleck wasn’t going to change his mind. “She really does need to go to the Centurias, and I’m not able. I hope you don’t think I was trying to trick you into taking her.”
“I don’t. And trust me, if it wasn’t for you, I would’ve taken her to my hotel, made good, hard love to her all night, and avowed her by morning.”
Rhemy snarled, snatched his friend by the lapels, his teeth descended.
Aleck chuckled. “See? That was too easy.”
Gods. He’d never done that to a friend before. Reining in his knee-jerk reaction, he brought his teeth back, released his friend, and quickly shook his head to clear the red haze. “I’m sorry.”
“And I’m jealous. Just get in there and tell her how you feel. Take her to the Centurias.”
He combed his hair with a hand. “I can’t.”
His friend buttoned his jacket, tucked a hand in his pocket. “Fated or not, she means something to you.”
His friend was right. Rhemy sighed. “I’m sorry this didn’t work out, Aleck.”
“No, you’re not,” he said. “But you can make it up to me with a bottle of McClellan downstairs if you’re feeling guilty.”
They shook hands. “Of course,” Rhemy said sardonically. An idea came to mind, and he hesitated bringing it up, but felt he owed Aleck something more than good scotch for this. Regardless of Aleck’s indifference, Rhemy knew he had to be disappointed. “Actually, I might be able to make it up to you sooner than you think. Have you heard about the Unavowed Auction?”
After telling Aleck about the event, he walked his friend out. Aleck was right, no matter what, Rhemy didn’t want her to go with another. His plan to set her up bombed, and he was relieved.
Back at his apartment, he opened the door, finding Taelour standing in front of a window facing the river. The breeze sent the loose wisps of hair to dance around her neck, the hem of her dress flowing around her ankles. His lungs locked their air.
She’s mine.
No matter how she felt about shifters, or the fact she was a pürblood. He’d change her mind about the former, and totally dismiss the latter.
When the bolt clicked, she turned around. “I don’t know what I did wrong.”
“You were perfect. You are perfect—”
“Don’t say that.”
He strode to her and grasped her upper arms. “It wasn’t your fault, Taelour.”
“He was very nice about it, but he barely got to know me at all. I didn’t want to come off too desperate to go to the party, and I didn’t, did I? I thought I conveyed a certain decorum that a man like him would appreciate, so he’d know I wasn’t just some country bumpkin looking for a free ride. And now I’ve lost my chance to go.”
“You haven’t.”
She sniffed, then brightened. “You’re right. The auction. I’ll call Calvin tomorrow and ask if it’s possible to still get in—”
“No! You’re not entering that goddamn auction. I can’t let you do that. Listen to me.” The thought of her doing that infuriated him, and his hands trembled as he cupped her face and tilted it up. “I’ll find a way. I’ll get us in. Don’t you see? It should’ve been me from the beginnin’.”
“Rhemy—” She tried to shift away from his grasp.
He wouldn’t let her get away. “I’m not done. Aleck was right to leave. Even though I did my damnedest to hide it, I failed. I want you that badly. And he saw it in you, too. Getting to know you only makes me want you more. And more…” His voice turned hoarse as he touched his forehead to hers. By the look in her eyes, she was stunned. But he wouldn’t let her speak yet. “From the second I saw you walk in my club, you’ve consumed me. Heart and soul. You feel it, too. Tell me otherwise.”
She shook her head, brushing her nose on his, trembling. “I can’t.”
He let out a short moan of despair. “Taelour, please.”
“I can’t tell you otherwise because I feel the same. I was trying so hard to hide it from Aleck, and obviously neither one of us could do it. Because we shouldn’t have to. I want to be with you, Rhemy,” she whispered before bringing her lips to his.
She tasted like tears, lust, and top shelf champagne. Never before had a combination struck such a need inside him to love, protect, and avow.
And he would avow her.
Every worry, every fear, every disappointment, vanished under his kiss.
Taelour didn’t want to think about anything else or anyone else, except Rhemy. She was tired of fighting her attraction, despite their differences, despite the secrets she still held about her life that could destroy their connection.
Yes, despite everything, she would surrender to him.
His thumbs slipped underneath the straps of her gown and eased them down, as he hungrily licked a line from her earlobe to her shoulder. “Gods, you’re so soft. You even taste like dessert. I wonder, does all of you taste like this?”
She dropped her head back and let him push the dress down, legs nearly giving out, but Rhemy caught her with one strong arm. He carried her to his bedroom and set her back to her feet, where he proceeded to undo the clasp holding her hair up.
He captured her mouth, sinking his tongue in while his hands sank in her locks, massagin
g her skull.
She pushed her hands inside the jacket, forcing it off his shoulders, eager to feel his skin on hers, the whipcord muscle and sinew. While he stripped off his multiple layers, she kicked off her shoes and laid back on the bed.
She barely had time to take in all his nude, masculine glory before he was licking up her thigh, moving her panties aside, and burying his mouth in her pussy.
What started as a gasp from her throat turned into an open-mouthed, noiseless, speechless reaction as he licked her. Her hands shook as she tore the thong so he could remove them. He did, flinging them clear across the room, and eagerly resuming his position between her thighs.
He murmured how sweet she tasted, how warm, how soft, burying his nose in her curls. Frissons of heat and pleasure struck her every nerve, one by one, until she panted and bucked. Her heels dug into the plush bedding, her back bowed, her fingers clawing the duvet like she was possessed.
“Rhemy…Rhemy,” she breathed as the orgasm began.
He moaned. “Hearing you say my name like that makes me so hot.” His finger entered her while his tongue circled her numb, and quivered with racks of pleasure. “Come on, cher, I want to hear you what you sound like when I make you come.”
She shook uncontrollably, bringing her knees closer to her chest, crying out when it proved it was just what she needed. Rhemy groaned, fingering her faster, flicking her nub with his tongue. Her scream preceded the climax, and she didn’t hold back the volume, knowing they could possibly hear her all the way in Saint Charles.
“Oh, baby,” he crooned, kissing her convulsing clit. “You come so hard.”
He crawled up to her and she grasped his face, kissing him, tasting herself on him, shifting her hips and rubbing his shaft between her wet folds.
His groan was short, and he gathered her close, kissing the sides of her face, under her chin, the hollow of her neck. After a while, she could stand it no more, bucking her hips, begging for it.
He complied, moving his hips back, gripping cock and rubbing it up and down her slit. The blunt head of his cock started to enter her, and she moaned loud. “I know, baby. I’ll go slow.”
Rhemy: Immortal Forsaken Series #4 (Paranormal Romance Novella) Page 8
