Chapter 12
Antoine
At first, Piper didn't move away from the door, her mouth ajar as she stared at me in disbelief. I was quickly learning her different expressions. She didn't have many.
A little shaky smile when she was nervous. A broad grin when she was particularly pleased with something. When she was annoyed, her brows would furrow between her eyes before anger took over, making her nostrils flare out and her teeth gnash together. However, the best expression was when she was aroused.
Her small tongue would dart out of her tempting mouth, sliding along her lower lip before a soft sigh would release from her throat. It was accompanied with her thighs pressing together tightly as she tried to stifle the pulsating need ripping through her lower regions.
It was a reaction I had only witnessed once or twice, but right now, with the overwhelming scent of her cycle filling my very senses, I wanted nothing more than to cause that reaction in her.
"Miss Billings." My voice held a firm authority I used with my brothers as I waited for her to follow my instructions. "Do not make me repeat myself."
Her heartbeat fluttered, but then the telltale sound of her small feet padded across the hallway floor as she hurried to follow me. I didn't know why I told her to come, but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself, and I was never one to retract what has already been said.
I brought her to my office and held the door open for her as she walked past me, trying not to touch me as she did. It was laughable how tense she was. It was not me she should fear, but my brothers.
I followed her and closed the door behind me. She stood in the middle of my office, her hands fidgeting in front of her short shorts. Those shorts that hugged her backside so delectably, it was as if they were poured onto her skin. My fingers ached to cup those glorious globes and hear the little gasp that would come from her when I did so.
"What's up?" Piper glanced nervously toward me as I rounded my desk, my fingers trailing along the top of the wood surface.
I let the silence permeate the room until Piper's brows furrowed. My lips tipped up at the annoyance filling her. "It has come to my attention that you have little regard for your wellbeing or those of this household."
Her lips parted as her eyes widened and her heartbeat tripled in speed. "What?" Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "What do you mean?"
Instead of taking my seat, I rounded the desk once more and sat on the edge of my desk, hands sitting in my lap as I surveyed her. Yes, my presence was causing her more distress the closer I came. As I locked my eyes on her panicked brown ones, I held back a smirk. Instead, I set my lips into a firm line. "Miss Billings, what am I?"
Her lips twisted in a frown as her brows bunched adorably in confusion. "Uh... really tall?"
Not letting myself sigh in frustration, I urged her on. "What else?"
Her eyes slid over my form, from the bottom of my tailored shoes to my custom suit her, scent growing more intense as her gaze roamed. When her eyes finally settled on my face, she wet her lips and parted her lips once more. "A vampire."
I nodded, pleased with her answer. "And what do vampires eat?"
Piper's face flushed as she breathed out, "Blood."
I crossed my arms over my chest and settled a knowing look on her. "And do you think that teasing a vampire while you are in your current condition is a wise decision?"
Confusion covered her face for a brief moment before her eyes widened a fraction and her mouth dropped open. Instead of recoiling in fear like a good human facing on a blood-sucking immortal, her face flashed with anger. Her nostrils flared, and her eyes lit with a fire I'd only seen a few times.
If I hadn't already been hard as a rock, I would have been now.
"Well, excuse me," she started before standing to her feet. "I wasn't aware that my bodily functions, ones I can't control, were such a hindrance to you." She scoffed, crossed her arms over her chest, pushing her already tempting breasts up further, and tapped her foot on the floor incessantly. "You know, this is really ridiculous. If you can't handle a female having her period, then you shouldn't hire one to clean your house. It's common sense."
If anyone else had talked to me in such a manner, I would have put them down right then and there. I hadn't gotten to where I was now by being nice. I'd gotten it with bloodshed and power. Over the years, as I cultivated my abilities and reputation, there had been considerably less bloodshed because those below me knew better than to challenge me.
Except for this one, this little human female who glared at me like I was the scum beneath her foot and I should be the one so lucky to speak to her, let alone have her as my employee. It made me want to laugh, rage, and kiss her all at once. I'd never felt such conflicting feelings for someone, not even when I was a human myself.
I dropped my arms and took a step toward her. She flinched and stepped back, a flash of worry in her eyes. At least, I knew she wasn't stupid, just too brave for her own tiny britches.
"Miss Billings," I began and then caught sight of her tongue wetting her lips again. "Piper." I took another step.
She stood her ground this time, her chin up high and her little hands clenched into fists like a child preparing to have a temper tantrum.
As I stopped before her, I reached a hand out and cupped the side of her face. Her eyes widened slightly, and her heart rate kicked up a notch. Arousal and the sweet tang of her blood permeated the air, and it took everything I had not to turn her around and bend her over my desk right then and there.
"Antoine?" she murmured back, almost as if she weren't sure of herself or my intentions.