“He doesn’t tell me anything!” I exclaim, the fear turning into fury.
Suddenly, I feel ice run down my spine, making me shiver, and I don’t even have to turn my head to know that Absolon has just stepped into the bar.
Speak of the Devil.
“And what do we have here?” Absolon says, voice low and rich, tinged with amusement.
I finally turn to see him standing by the main doors with Amethyst by his side, both of them carrying shopping totes. The expensive looking kind.
I meet his eyes, shadowed and cold as they stare at me. His mouth shows a faint smile. He knows what I just said. And even if he doesn’t, I’m mad enough for him to pick up on my thoughts.
Well then, fuck you, I think.
His brow lifts for a moment, then he looks past me at Wolf. “How has she been? Amethyst told me she tried to take a bite out of her.”
“I didn’t try and bite her,” I say indignantly. I know I was trying to get at her, but who is to say what I was going to do?
Absolon doesn’t look amused. “Normally, I would suggest Amethyst help you get ready for the night, but I can’t trust you around her. Without her, we wouldn’t get by.” He gives Amethyst a somewhat affectionate look, affectionate coming from him anyway, and once again I feel that ridiculous flare of jealousy.
And she stares back at him, all googly-eyed, almost blushing.
My god, does he have this effect on everyone? Guess so. Should make me feel a little better, but it doesn’t. I loathe the man—vampire—with everything I have, and I have every reason to, and yet there’s something deep inside me that is drawn to him, despite how awful he is.
Anyway, there’s no way that he wouldn’t get by without her. He’s survived for how many centuries?
Okay, now I really sound petty. I tear my eyes away from them and turn back around in my seat. I pick up my glass with a shaky hand and finish the rest of my drink in one gulp. When I look up, Wolf is eyeing me with surprise. “Guess you need another one,” he says, getting to his feet.
“Amethyst, take the bags to her room,” Absolon commands her, and I feel his presence get closer. He stops and stands right beside my chair, the scent of roses and tobacco filling my nose, wanting to unravel me. I keep my eyes on Wolf as he walks over to the bar with the beer and my empty glass, and I hold my breath, not wanting to breathe him in anymore. I can’t drown, so this should be a piece of cake.
And then Absolon puts his hand on my shoulder, sending a jolt of electricity through me, causing my mouth to drop open, my lungs to inhale sharply. He keeps his hand there and I feel his eyes on the top of my head, turning my scalp to ice.
I raise my chin and look up at him through my lashes.
He’s peering down at me, an inquisitive expression, that ever-present frown and arched black brows.
What? I snap inside my head.
His mouth curls into a cool smile. But he doesn’t say anything. He breaks our staring contest and looks over at Wolf. “I’ll have two fingers of the Bowmore. Two of my fingers, not yours.”
Wolf smirks. Giant man, giant hands, not that Absolon’s are any different.
“Care to have a cigar with me?” he asks, and it takes me a moment to realize he’s talking to me.
“With me?” I ask.
He steps behind me and pulls out my chair. “Yes, you.”
Then he comes around and holds out his hand, looking like every inch the vampire with his wavy black hair, cold, hypnotizing eyes, his long black coat over charcoal wool pants, crisp white dress shirt, steel watch gleaming.
And I get up.
Without his help.
Because I’m seconds away from hitting his hand away but I know I should probably play nice. Absolon is not enamored with me, but he is fascinated, and I need to hold on to whatever little foothold I have. The more I can get him to like me, the better it is. My life depends on it.
“Making a point?” he says under his breath, taking off his coat and folding it on the back of the chair.
I ignore him, walk over to the bar and lean against it, waiting for my drink. “You smoke cigars too?” I ask Wolf, hoping he does.
“Not today,” Absolon answers for him. “He’s got a party to prepare for.”
“You mean an auction,” I practically spit out as I twist to face Absolon, my nails digging into the bar in a rush of anger.
Absolon’s expression turns threatening as he looks at Wolf. “Giving her the details already?” he asks tightly.
“I thought she knew.”
Absolon reaches over and grabs my hand, prying my fingernails from the bar. He glances at the scratches in the wood underneath and then gives me the most ferocious look that makes me want to turn, run, and hide.