Dark of the Night, page 15
Vada stood back from me when she’d finished. I wanted to crawl under the bed at her appraisal. We hadn’t spoken while she worked and she’d only given orders of what she needed me to do. Now, I wished she’d say something.
The dress made me feel vulnerable and exposed. Thankfully I was used to tall shoes, because the ones Vada had brought could be used as weapons themselves.
The vampiress smirked. “I’m good. That piece of trash won’t be able to say no to you.”
“I hope you’re talking about the incubus,” a deep male voice almost purred from the doorway and we both turned to find the sexiest sight I’d ever beheld.
Dressed in a crisp white button up shirt with gold cufflinks, black dress pants, and a suit coat, Alex was by far the most drool-worthy creature ever created. The silk tie hanging around his neck, not yet tied, added to the sex appeal. Even from a distance, I could smell his cologne, and there was just enough stubble on his face to leave me wondering how it would feel against my lips.
If we got that far tonight. We did have an incubus to lure in and kill.
Alex’s eyes raked over my body, from my face, to the low dipping dress that showed off more cleavage than the black dress I’d worn days ago, to the rest of the dress. His eyes moved quickly back up to my chest before he grinned at me.
“While I liked the black dress, this one is more...appealing.”
Vada groaned and glowered at me. “It’s yours. I’m never going to wear it again after the way he’s looking at you in it.”
My cheeks heated and I ducked my head. Vada didn’t realize how important this moment was to me, how I’d never been admired as Alex did now. Sure, men watched me and some had enjoyed the black dress, but Alex didn’t look at me like a piece of flesh. He saw inside me and because of that I felt even more exposed. He knew more than most did about me, except maybe Manuel, who’d been around longer.
Yet I knew little of Alex. Maybe while we lured the incubus out, Alex would be forthcoming with answering some questions. I’d have to try.
“Thank you, Vada. I owe you one.”
Vada snorted as she walked toward her brother. “Doing what I did with that mess...no offense to your mate...you owe me two favors, Alexander. But I’ll admit, if she can pull this off, the two of you look good together. By the way, Father plans to follow you tonight to see how she does. Just a heads up.”
Alex nodded. “I figured he wouldn’t chance letting the incubus free if we failed.”
“You’d better not, and if you do, don’t bother coming back. Not with her, anyway.” Vada glanced back to give her work one more thorough appraisal, nodded, and left. I was officially acceptable for tonight’s mission.
Approaching me, Alex rested his hands on my shoulders, and the heat of them almost seared my skin, as did the burning gaze that raked over me yet again. “How could I have ever doubted the bond? You’re a goddess.”
“It’s the dress.”
“It’s more than the dress.” He leaned in and nuzzled my neck, his voice a murmur in my ear. “I’m looking forward to getting you out of that dress.”
My breath hitched. As much as I wanted that as well, I feared it. Alex pulled back when I stiffened. His eyes studied me before he gave a soft, gentle smile.
“Don’t worry, little dove. I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
My head fell. “I haven’t had the opportunity to have a feminine side. The dress is a liar. I wore the black one once before I served you and it was for a mission. When you’re watching your back all the time, heels and dresses are a hindrance. I know how to put makeup on...” My eyes burned. “My point is, this isn’t me. If this is the woman you want, I don’t know how to be like this. Like Torrie.”
Alex lifted my chin with his fingers and his thumb ran over my cheek. “First of all, don’t cry and ruin the makeup or Vada will kill you. Second, I know who you are, Henley. And this is as much a part of you as the woman who can kick any vampire’s butt.”
“Except yours.” I smiled.
“Except mine.”
“One day, though, I’ll do it.”
“I look forward to it.”
Alex leaned in again and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. “Two things, dove. One, I never want to hear Torrie’s name on your lips again. She means nothing to me now. And second, when this is over, I’m buying you leather. I’m sure you can pull that off just as well as this dress, and it’ll be comfortable for missions.”
“And form fitting?”
His grin grew. “You can’t blame a mate for that, can you?”
I narrowed my gaze on him. “Are you trying to arouse me already? Or are you trying to make me not as nervous?”
“If I’m honest, both. Is it working?”
“How much longer do we have to wait?”
Kissing my cheek again, Alex stepped back and grabbed his tie. “Let me tie this thing and we’ll be set to go. And don’t laugh. It’s been a while since I actually tied one of these things.”
I snorted. “I wouldn’t know where to start, so I’m not one to judge.”
“Good.” Alex tied the necktie like a pro, without any trouble whatsoever. I rolled my eyes at him and walked to the door, jaw clenched in concentration so I wouldn’t break an ankle. If we wanted the incubus to fall for me, he needed to not watch me walk.
“You still have my keys?” I went to pat down my pockets, but I had none. Pretty dress, not conducive to missions.
Alex held up the keys to my truck. “Right here. Now, let me escort you like a gentleman.” He took my hand and wrapped my arm around his but didn’t open the door. “My family will most likely meet us in the foyer. I’m not sure how they will act. Just know that you are the most beautiful woman I’ve had on my arm and I believe in you. I’ve seen you do amazing things. Especially now that you’ve drunk my blood.”
“You just had to add that last part, didn’t you?” With my nerves eating at me, my sarcasm was on full display.
“Of course I did. Are you ready?”
“Even if I’m not, we’re out of time. Let’s do this.”
Opening the door for me, Alex led us into the hallway. Voices echoed from the main floor foyer, proving Alex was right. His family did wait for us. Taking a deep breath, I prepared to lift my internal walls to keep their hurtful stares and words from causing as much damage. I didn’t need to deal with that on top of this particular assignment.
“Here they come,” one of the women announced as we turned the corner and descended the stairs. To my relief, I was too busy navigating each step so I wouldn’t faceplant and roll the rest of the way down—probably losing the dress in the process—to notice his family’s reaction to me until we’d reached the bottom of the staircase.
“Yes, Vada,” Mina looked down her nose at me, “I’d say you did turn the duckling into a swan.”
Her words would have hurt more had I thought I was a catch before. But I’d been a blood and dirt covered halfbreed embarrassment when I’d arrived. Now I at least appeared like I fit into the household, even if I didn’t feel like I did.
Rupert’s eyes glittered with quiet entertainment. I ground my teeth together.
“You’re not planning on giving me any information about this incubus, are you?” I wasn’t at all surprised when he shook his head.
“No. If you’re as good as my son thinks you are, you won’t need information.”
I nodded. “Be nice to Manuel. Make sure he gets something to drink, please.” I added the please to prevent some glares that had begun to come my way.
“We’ll make sure your...er...friend...gets something to eat.” Mina scrunched up her nose.
“He’s her trainer at Amos’s,” Alex elaborated. “We kidnapped him. He’s technically not supposed to be with us. So, please, give the kid a break.”
Mina nodded, and Alex bid our farewells and tugged me out the front door. We made our way to the truck, and he helped me into my seat. My hands shook from nerves as Alex climbed into the seat beside me.
“Alex?”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t want to die a virgin.” I cleared my throat, ignoring my bluntness as Alex’s hand froze on the key in the ignition. “Well, not now that I have a mate, that is.”
Alex turned the key and the truck’s engine roared to life. “Let’s get through this mission, and then I promise you, you won’t die a virgin.”
Rupert and Mina lived much farther away from the city than I’d anticipated, giving me another hour to worry. Then again, I should’ve guessed that, since we hadn’t driven through even a tiny town to arrive at their place. Their territory, or hunting grounds, was far larger than most. But once Alex explained that some of his siblings lived in town, it made sense to hold that territory.
Pulling up in front of a high-end, fancy restaurant, Alex climbed from the truck, handed my keys off to a valet, and opened my door to help me out. The valet’s eyes landed on me and lingered on my chest and drifted downward like he was undressing me. I was almost ready to reprimand him when Alex nuzzled my cheek.
“Let him be. We have an incubus to draw in, remember?”
“So you’re okay with him looking at me like that?”
“No, but I have the end goal in sight.” He smirked and leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “He’s next on my snack list for it, don’t worry.”
I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head as Alex led me into the restaurant. Inside the doors, I froze. The elegance of the place threw me off.
“I don’t belong here.” I pulled back on his arm as the host smiled to greet us.
“You belong with me.” Alex bent to kiss my cheek while he whispered. “This is a job. Undercover. Blend in. Breathe.”
A job. Undercover. I could do that. And in a breath, the world around me wasn’t as formidable. Not that the restaurant could be comparable to Amos’s house or Alex’s parents’ place. Still, the dress combined with my environment had become a little overwhelming.
We were seated near the back of the room, and as I watched people be served and eat, it became obvious that this was one of those places where the portions were tiny and the prices high. Alex wasn’t the only one who’d need a snack later. I was a woman with an appetite who didn’t want to spend five times the worth of my truck on food to fill me up.
“How is he supposed to find us?” I asked after the waiter had filled our glasses with the wine choice we’d been offered and Alex had accepted. He’d also filled a glass of water for me since I wasn’t sure I’d touch the wine. Whatever I didn’t drink, Alex would be more than happy to finish for me.
Alex took my hand and placed a kiss on my palm, his eyes already burning with desire. “They’re like us. They can pick up a strong scent for miles.”
Heat burned in my belly as he started trailing kisses to my inner wrist and worked his way up my arm to my elbow. At some point, he’d moved his chair closer to mine, and once he was finished giving my arm his full attention, he leaned in to place a kiss on my neck. All the while I struggled between concentrating on him and the reaction of others around us. The last thing we needed was to be kicked out of there.
While some of the patrons were displeased with his conduct, the waitstaff ignored us. Humor stole my desire and I shook my head at him.
“Your family frequents here and probably leaves a good tip,” I accused. Alex’s answer was to grab my thigh, higher than anyone else had ever dared touch me.
My body heated fast as Alex kissed my neck. People needed to tell him to find a room and get his head on straight. We were drawing a lot of attention as he nuzzled into me.
“Instinct, Stark.” His whispered words drew me back to the task at hand. “Close your eyes. You won’t see these people again. I won’t do anything that should otherwise wait for when I have you to myself.”
“Some of these people might argue with that.”
“Just trust me, little dove.” He ran the tip of his nose around the outer shell of my ear, inciting a delicious shiver to course through my body. “If anyone asks, we’re on our honeymoon, which in our case, wouldn’t be far off.”
I let that idea swallow me whole. I was on a date with my mate, our first, but we were still bonded for life. If I’d been a full vampire, we already would’ve crossed this point...and most newly bonded vampires couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Perhaps Alex had more restraint in this moment than I was giving him credit for.
“When you brought that man into Amos’s office…” Alex kissed his way down and back up my neck before continuing and I almost missed his words as my eyelids fluttered closed, allowing me to appreciate his touch without the crowd. “I didn’t appreciate then how glorious you were. Had I, I would’ve had your back on my bed within seconds of leaving that office.”
I had to push the memory away or I would crumble. Alex had said some cruel things. One day, they wouldn’t bother me so much. Today wasn’t that day. Tomorrow probably wouldn’t be either, but for the night, I’d make Alex prove I was no longer an expendable halfbreed.
Concentrate on your mate. Let him make you feel good.
Alex’s touches, both with his hands and his mouth, while simple, kindled a fire inside me. We’d need to find a room if the incubus didn’t show because I was barely holding myself back from climbing on him and pressing myself as close to him as I could.
Something fluttered in my brain and then the heat dipped a little inside me only to rise again. I smiled and whispered only for Alex to hear, “He’s here.”
“Mmhmm,” Alex murmured in my ear before placing a final kiss in the hollow behind my ear and leaning back. “No matter what, remember, I won’t let him take what belongs to me.”
I shook my head. “Yeah, my v-card is yours.”
Taking my chin in his hand, Alex made me face him. “You, my little dove, are mine. All of you.”
Warmed further by his words, I stood up and grinned down at him. “I think I need to find the powder room.”
A soft chuckle was all Alex had to say about that as I sauntered my way through the tables, not really searching for the bathroom. Even without Alex’s hands and lips on my body, I was more turned on than before. There was definitely an incubus at work, and his alluring magic was taking me right outside to meet him.
“Date not turn out well?” A man more gorgeous than any other leaned against a tree that had been planted as decor in the sidewalk. A breeze blew his almost white-blond hair around and should’ve cooled me, but I burned hotter at the sight of the man. He tipped his head the opposite direction of the valet parking. “Come on. I’ll show you a good time.”
In the back of my mind, a voice screamed not to go. If I hadn’t had the mission, I would’ve tried to listen to that part, but my body was so turned on that I needed someone to give me what I needed. And the mission. There was a mission.
I walked to the man’s side. His lips twisted up in a smirk. “Well, aren’t you gorgeous. And quite different from those I’m used to meeting.”
“How so?” My voice was smooth as silk, almost a purr, as I placed my hand on his chest and leaned into him. “Is it bad that I'm different?”
“No, sweetheart, it’s perfect. I assume nobody treats a little thing like you how they should. They always hate your ‘other’ side. The vampires hate the witch in you and the witches hate the vampire. Let me show you how you should be treated.”
My surprise that the incubus knew of my mixed genetics was quickly swallowed by a lustful haze. Stepping into him, I ran my hand up his chest and over his broad shoulder. All this man had to do was smile and he’d end up with a woman in his bed, and he was grinning at me ear to ear.
“Not yet, sweetheart. Let’s find a little place away from here and I’ll make all your fantasies and dreams come true. How does that sound?” His hands settled on my hips and roamed over my thighs and butt. I couldn’t help but make a happy sound when words failed me. “Yeah, l think you like that idea.”
The man tugged me along with him. I complied without a fight. He could make the ache inside me go away. There were no doubts he could show me the good time all those sleazy vampire men had promised me, but wouldn’t be able to live up to. Not like this man.
“You’re a virgin. I like that.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and placed his hand far too low on my waist, but it was nice to be touched and not have him cringe while doing it. “Here we are.”
A fancy hotel had been built close to the restaurant, or the restaurant close to the hotel. The man pulled me in and onto the elevator. A nagging at the back of my mind again said I shouldn’t go with him, but now, I couldn’t remember why. I’d thought of a reason before, but it must’ve been a crappy reason.
The elevator doors opened on the fifth floor right as I’d determined to start our night off with a heated kiss. This man had barely touched me but already it felt like his hands were all over me. Couldn’t he walk faster?
A few doors down, he opened a room’s door and ushered me inside. The first object to gain my attention was the large, king-sized bed. The next were two more men standing in the room, their eyes as full of lust and desire as what sprang up in my body.
Hot lips pressed against the bare skin of my shoulder. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. You’re mine first, and then I might share.”
I didn’t have time to ponder that before the man twisted me around to face him and his lips crashed on mine. My body threatened to explode and he didn’t even have to ask me to open my mouth to him. I was already doing it.
His hands dug into my hair and he pulled back slightly. “In a hurry, sweetheart? All that pent up sexual energy...it’s delicious, but you’re a fine wine compared to so many others, and I plan to savor you, so we’re going to slow down and explore this.”
A whimper escaped me. Slow down?
He smiled. “Don’t worry. You’ll enjoy it.”
The man leaned in and began to nuzzle my neck. A memory, though hazy, tried to solidify in my brain of a man doing the same. I’d enjoyed it. The man at my neck nipped my skin. A voice in my head repeated itself, “And this time, I’d like to hear what delicious sounds you make when I finally drink from you.”.
