Interesting.
Eli popped open a beer bottle and pushed it across the bar.
The woman came closer to Luke, and when she reached for the beer bottle, her body brushed against his.
The need he felt for her spiked even more.
She nodded her thanks to Eli, then said, “Nice tat.” Her gaze was on the dark spider tattoo that marked the side of Eli’s throat. Eli was tall and thin, and his shoulders usually hunched forward as if he were expecting a blow. Luke knew about the secrets that the guy carried—secrets like that dark tattoo—and he understood exactly why the fellow had decided to hide out in Key West.
You thought I’d keep you safe…if you kept my favorite whiskey coming. An interesting arrangement. One that had, so far, worked out for both men.
“You need anything else?” Eli asked Luke, his voice gravelly.
Luke glanced back at the woman. Actually, he thought he had everything he needed, right there. Luke pushed some cash toward the other man. “I’m good.” Then he focused on his new prize.
“What’s your name?” she asked. She brought the bottle up to that sexy red mouth of hers. Took a long sip. Then licked her lips.
He could have helped her out with that licking. He would help her. “Luke.” The name came out as a growl. “Luke Thorne.”
She took another long sip.
“And who are you?” he asked her.
She put the bottle back on the bar. Her hand curled around Luke’s neck as she leaned in toward him. He was sitting on a bar stool and she’d slid between his legs. A dangerous place to be.
Staring him straight in the eye, she said, “I’m the woman you’re taking back to your place tonight.”
Direct as hell. No games. He loved that.
The werewolves and the vampires and their dumb ass battles could wait. He was about to have fun with the gorgeous creature before him.
His hand rose. His fingers curled around her chin and she—she gave a quick, nervous jerk. Luke frowned. “Are you all right?”
Her breath whispered out. “Let’s get out of here. Take me to your place.”
The words seemed to hum through him and Luke found himself nodding. Getting her out of there, getting her alone—best idea ever to him. But first…
His fingers were still on her chin. He tilted her head back, leaned in even closer as he brought his mouth near hers. He’d take a taste first because he had a feeling she was going to be—
“Not yet.” Her finger pressed to his lips. “Once we’re alone, then I’ll give you that kiss. I’m not exactly the public display type.”
Luke blinked.
She pulled her hand away from him and stepped back. “Are you ready?”
“No.”
Surprise flashed on her face.
He picked up the whiskey glass near him. “This is the kind of drink that should be savored.”
Her hair—so thick and dark—slid over her shoulders. “I’m the kind of woman who should be savored.”
He believed that. He drained his glass, loving that burn, loving that little flash of pain. Sometimes, he needed that pain to remind him that he was still alive. After all of the long years he’d spent walking the earth—fucking centuries—sometimes a fog surrounded him and it was hard to feel.
But he suspected he’d be feeling that night, with her.
He caught her hand in his and led her to the door. People moved out of his way as if by instinct—and because of the little psychic push he gave them. He wasn’t in the mood to be slowed down. Not while she was with him.
The bouncer held the door open for him and Luke stepped into the night. Hot and dark, perfect for him. He kept his grip on her and walked to the side of the building—and when he was sure no one was close, he caged her against that wooden wall.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
His eyes narrowed. In the dark, he could see her perfectly. One of his many gifts. His hand rose and his fingers curled around her neck.
She gave a quick gasp and he felt the frantic flutter of her pulse beneath his touch. Only he was willing to bet that wild beat wasn’t due to arousal.
Fear.
Why the hell would she approach him if she was scared? “You knew who I was before you even came across that bar.”
She stared at him.
“Why?” Luke demanded. “Why come to me?”
“Maybe I’m one of those women that likes a man with a dark edge.”
Oh, he knew plenty about darkness.
“But the why doesn’t really matter,” she added, staring up at him. And as he looked into her eyes—that incredible blue—he swore that her words seemed to echo in his mind and…
Her eyes took on a faint glow in the dark.
Luke shook his head. His thumb caressed her throat, sliding in small circles against her skin.
And that glow got even brighter.
She isn’t human. No human had eyes that could do that. And since she wasn’t human…