Darkness Taunts (13 page)

Lucas looked bored, but I sensed he had all his focus on the vampire. “Have you had any trouble since then?”

“No,” Othello said, shaking his head. “We had to close for two days to repair the damage. This incident has driven some of my best customers away. I want these things stopped before they do anything worse.”

The guy didn’t show any emotional response to the loss of five lives, but he did give off strong feelings about the harm to his business. Idiotic supernaturals. Their priorities were never where they should be.

“What signs did you see to confirm demons possessed these humans?” Lucas asked.

Othello shrugged. “I didn’t actually see them. I was occupied at the time and unable to get away until it was over. My people tell me their eyes glowed red when they began to fight. The werewolves who were here all confirmed the distinct odor of brimstone. Other than that, though, nothing. We have no idea how to identify them when they’re not openly revealing themselves, much less how to keep them out.”

I shifted in my seat. It hadn’t taken me that long to find out what to do to keep demons out. Did they really have no one in Juneau who knew this stuff? I hadn’t sensed as many sups here as in Fairbanks, but surely someone knew something. Othello noticed my restlessness and studied me closely.

“This is your demonologist, correct?” he asked.

It was kind of hard to act like a professional in this dress, but I tried to keep a mature air about me.

Lucas glanced my way. “She has some knowledge in how to deal with the demons if you’d like to speak with her.”

“Does she have a name?” Othello asked.

Lucas’ voice turned cold. “Not one you need to know.”

So I’d be a nameless expert. That was probably for the best. I didn’t want anyone in this place knowing my true identity anyway.

The vampire’s body tensed. “I’m surprised. Carmen has informed me you’ve not claimed her. She has almost no trace of your scent on her. Considering her looks, there are those who would want a taste of her, including myself. Leaving her unclaimed in our world is a dangerous thing.”

Lucas stretched his lips in a smile that couldn’t be construed as friendly. “No one touches her if they wish to live. She is mine to do with as I please…whether I physically claim her or not.”

Othello’s jaw ticked. I could almost see his hands shaking with the anger he tried to hide as he fought to keep in control. Vamps didn’t like being challenged on their own turf, but he had to know Lucas was too powerful to fight.

“Very well,” he said in a tight voice. “I would like to ask her how we might handle these demons so that an incident like this does not happen again.”

Lucas gave me the nod. I leaned forward and kept my face impassive so the guy wouldn’t see how much he disgusted me. “Keeping them out of the inside of your club is the easy part. Pour lines of salt across all possible entryways and make sure they stay solid. Demons can’t cross them. You could burn sage to repel them as well, but if they’re really determined they’ll get through.”

Othello listened to me with rapt attention, but the seediness in his eyes made me feel uncomfortable. I almost wondered if he wasn’t plotting a way to steal me from Lucas. Maybe my imagination had grown wild, but a part of me felt the urge to scoot closer to the nephilim. The knife I had on me wouldn’t be enough to defeat the vampire.

He rubbed his chin. “I’d heard of these methods, but dismissed them as old wives tales. You’re sure they really have some kind of effect?”

“I am, and from a reliable source. The real problem is stopping them from getting close. They could still attack the outside of your club. For now, I’d keep your strongest men at the door. If an unescorted human comes close, let them test the person out and see if they are something more.”

His gaze dropped to my cleavage. “I’ll keep that in mind. Anything else?”

Lucas stood up. “She has told you enough. If you have any more of these incidents, I expect you to call me right away.” He handed the vamp a card. “Don’t put the salt down yet. I’ll be staying for a while this evening to see if any demons show up. Should any come, I plan to take them alive for questioning.”

He took my arm and began walking to the door.

Othello’s voice rang out. “If you’re keeping the woman with you, Master Lucas, you really should claim her. I’d rather not have any of my patrons hurt over a simple misunderstanding. She has already drawn enough attention among my staff.”

Power vibrated out from Lucas as he stared down the vampire. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Before I could catch Othello’s reaction, we were out the door.

The vampire who’d escorted us to the office waited down the corridor. He straightened from leaning against the wall when he saw us. Lucas put up a spell so our voices wouldn’t carry.

“I’m contacting Micah to take you back,” he said.

Oh, no, he wouldn’t. I glared at him. “You’re not staying here without me. I can sense the demons if they get close.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled us to a stop. “As much as I hate to admit it, Othello is correct. If you stay, I must prove my claim over you.”

My voice hissed out. “You’re more powerful than him or anyone else in this place. Why do you have to do anything he says?”

“I don’t,” anger laced his voice, “but I also don’t have any desire to draw unwanted attention. Keeping an unclaimed human in this club is asking for trouble. I have every intention of blending in while I’m here.”

He meant that after I left, he’d find someone else to entertain him while he stayed. It had little to do with protecting me. He didn’t have faith I could keep up my part. I’d always known he must have relationships with other women, and that he probably treated them a whole lot better, but it never bothered me until now. The logical side of me said to take the out he offered and go with Micah. The side that felt tingles racing through my arm where he’d grabbed me said not to go—to find out what he’d do to stake his claim over me.

I knew it was irrational, but my curiosity about him grew with every moment we spent together. My senses told me desire ran as strongly through him as it did me. We could tell ourselves it was part of the job; a means to an end. Afterward we could walk away and pretend it never happened. Return to being the enemies who hated each other.

“I’m staying,” I said.

The impatient vampire down the hall moved toward us. Lucas hit him with his gaze and ordered him back. Then his eyes bored into mine as he pulled me closer. “Do you know what you’re asking?”

I nodded. For some reason my voice had decided to quit working.

Lucas’ hand ran up the back of my thigh until it reached underneath my skirt. He squeezed the bare skin of my ass where the g-string didn’t cover it. I shivered. “If you stay, you’re giving me permission to touch you wherever I want, to claim you—in front of others. There cannot be a scene if you get nervous and change your mind. You’ll have to keep playing along until we leave. Are you sure you can handle that?”

My mind grew fuzzier with every moment we stood together, but some sense came back to me. “This is just for tonight. Whatever happens, we never talk about it again after we leave this place.”

He searched my face. “That’s your only demand?”

“Yes.” I was a fool.

“Very well.”

He pulled away and took my arm again. Another command to the vampire and we were led to a corner booth in the main room. The table was on a raised platform like the others around it and covered with a red cloth that reached the floor. The seats were high, giving us some privacy, but anyone across the room would be able to see us. I had a case of the nerves when we separated long enough to slide in.

This was a dangerous game I played. I’d have to give him free reign over my body without letting my emotions get involved. What would he do to me? Dozens of pairs of eyes watched us and they all expected something. Could I really stay for this? I didn’t get a chance to make a run for it.

Lucas pulled me toward him and settled us at the farthest side. The booth was designed with more than enough space for me to sit in his lap. My back and thighs tingled where they came in contact with him. I wanted to adjust my butt into a better position, but stayed still. Signs were already beneath me that this was affecting him too. Dear God, I wasn’t going to survive this. What had I been thinking?

He’s an arrogant ass who could easily kill you, Melena. Remember that!

“Relax,” he whispered in my ear. “Don’t let them think you fear me.”

Oh, I had reason to be afraid. How many times in the past had he threatened me? My hands gripped the table like a lifeline. “I’m trying.”

He took hold of my chin and tilted my face up toward his. “Tell me you want this.”

I tried not to look into his familiar golden eyes, but couldn’t stop myself. Passion had replaced the coldness that had always been there. His gaze might have even reflected the slightest bit of concern—for me. My senses were too confused with my own emotions to make much sense of his at the moment.

“Tell me,” he repeated.

What had he been talking about? I frowned. He’d turned me into brainless mush in a matter of minutes. Things would only get worse from here.

“Tell me you want this,” he repeated.

His lips were close—only a couple of inches away. If I told him, I’d find out what they felt like. How many times had I wondered?

“I want this,” I breathed. Thinking about long term consequences was overrated. Now was what mattered. Didn’t I read some somewhere enemies made great lovers?

He leaned his head down and I closed my eyes. The moment our lips touched everything but the two of us disappeared. We didn’t take it slow. Maybe after more than eight years of knowing each other it seemed like a waste of time not to dive all the way in. I gripped the back of his head the same way he did mine and opened my mouth.

Our tongues clashed. We melded our bodies together and sparks sizzled between us. We’d always had a strong reaction to touching each other, but this felt like more. It was as if now that we’d given in we had no restraint left.

Maybe we didn’t. He kissed me until I ran out of air. I averted my face, gasping for breath and noticed a waitress hovering next to our table. How long had she stood there watching us? Lucas showed no sign of it bothering him. He ordered for me again, but this time he got my favorite—Long Island Iced Tea laced with grenadine.

His fingers played along my arm while we waited for the waitress to come back. I watched his strong hand move across my skin and couldn’t believe they were really touching me. Had he ever thought about doing it before? What made him want to do it now? I was grateful when my drink arrived—being this close to Lucas had turned my mouth dry.

“I wouldn’t normally encourage you to drink that vile stuff,” he said as I took my first sip, “but I’ll let you have it this time if it will make you more comfortable.”

Sitting in his lap with his arms wrapped around me made it hard to think straight. It took a moment for me to come up with a reply. “It’s not like you’re the one drinking it. I don’t know what the big deal is.”

“Oh, I’ll be drinking it,” he said close to my ear, “every time I taste you.”

I hadn’t thought it was possible to get more turned on. Damn him for having such a strong effect on me. “You should have gotten something for yourself.”

“You’re all I need for now,” he said.

I kept the drink in my hand with the hope it would buy me a little more time before he started back up again. Just hearing him talk did erotic things to me.

“Since when did you become Casanova?” I asked.

He nibbled my ear. “Never.”

“Don’t be so sure,” I said. A seductive Lucas made for a more difficult challenge. My wits were the only thing that kept me strong against him under normal circumstances.

He ran his right hand ran down my bare thigh and pulled it over his own. His fingers traced a lazy path along the inside. “I know you’re hiding behind that glass.”

My back arched as his fingers slid up. “I wouldn’t want you to waste your money since you’re paying for it.”

He took the drink from my weakened grip and set it on the table. “You can finish it later.”

His left hand grasped my untouched thigh and pulled it over his other leg. Then he widened both of his to force my knees far apart. The table blocked anyone from seeing down there, but I still felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. My short skirt rode high enough now it left me exposed. “What are you doing, Lucas?”

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and forced my head up toward his. “Making sure everyone knows exactly who you belong to tonight.”

Our lips met and the heat built up even higher between us. He tasted my tongue and left no doubt the flavor didn’t bother him nearly as much as he claimed. His free hand ran back up my thigh until it reached the juncture between my legs. I jumped when he slid his fingers under my panties to touch the sensitive folds underneath.

“I knew you’d be wet for me,” he said.

I tried to pull away; suddenly embarrassed by my reaction to him. He used those same hands to kill people—to rip their hearts out and take off their heads. I’d seen him do it enough times. How could I take any pleasure from them? What kind of person did that make me? Worst of all, now he knew how much of an affect he had on my body. No amount of promises could make him forget something like that.

He kept his hold on my hair and held me still. My legs were locked wide open with no way to close them. I gripped his arm, trying to pull it away from my body, but couldn’t budge it. His fingers were tracing lazy circles over and over the slick folds between my thighs. It mesmerized me as the tingles built higher and higher. Squirming didn’t do anything but make it worse. The growing bulge pressing against my backside let me know he was enjoying himself. Realizing I was the one to do that to him turned me on even more. He wasn’t immune to me either. I tried to remember what had upset me so much, but nothing came to mind.

“Don’t fight it,” he said. “Just feel.”

His other hand let go of my hair. He ran his fingers down my chest until they dipped inside the bodice of my dress. When he squeezed my nipple, I moaned. His chin nudged my head to the side. Soft lips pressed kisses along my neck, leaving a trail of blazing heat. At the same time his fingers slid into the entrance between my thighs. I discovered a new meaning for sensory overload.