Liars pissed him off.
He stopped right in front of her. “Change of plans. I figured your buddy Leo would be looking for us at the airports in the immediate area, so driving away from New Orleans seemed like the best idea.”
“Leo is not my buddy.”
“Then what the hell is he?”
Her lips—sexy, full, plump lips that made him think of all sorts of dark ideas—pressed together.
Cass laughed. “Really? You think you don’t get to answer? Come on…I’m just dying to hear why two of the most powerful paranormal beings on earth are about to seriously lose their shit when it comes to you.”
Her long lashes shielded her gaze.
She was obviously trying to think of a plausible lie. Good luck with that, sweets. While she thought of her lie, he studied her. Her hair was heavy and golden—not a light blonde but so much richer and darker. Her skin was even golden, as if it had been kissed by the sun.
Kissed? What in the hell is wrong with me? I don’t think that fucking way.
He growled.
Her gaze immediately jerked back to his.
Her face wasn’t perfect. He kept telling himself that. Her cheeks were a little too high. Her chin was a little too sharp. Her nose was a little— Hell. She’s sexy. Her face comes together—it’s better than perfect. I see her and I don’t want to look away. I see her…and I want.
His gloves were both back in place so he lifted his right hand and cupped her cheek. He could feel the silk of her skin even through the magical fabric. “Want to tell me…” His voice had gone darker. “Why the Lord of the Dark and his brother are both after a human?”
“I…they think I have something that belongs to them.”
Truth? Or lie? Cass was betting lie.
She backed up a step. “I don’t, but they won’t believe me. They think I have what they need, and they’re determined to get it back, no matter the cost.”
He advanced on her.
Again, she retreated.
Did she realize that if she took even one more step back, that she’d be bumping into the king bed that dominated that room? He’d gotten them a room at one of the bigger hotels in Biloxi, one with a floor-to-ceiling window that gave them a killer view of the beach. Their hotel was connected to the nearby casino, and the room was usually reserved for high-rollers.
“What do you have?” Cass asked her.
Again, she retreated. Only this time, Amber bumped into the bed. She glanced down, then looked back up, her face utterly horrified.
Right. That was generally the look women got when they found themselves in close proximity to a bed and to the Reaper. He smiled at her. “What do you have, sweets?” Cass asked again, truly curious to hear her answer. “It must be something very powerful.”
She licked her lips. His cock jerked. Down. Fucking down.
“Why?” Amber asked. “Do you want it for yourself?”
His gaze swept over her body. High, round breasts. Long, long legs…And her scent was teasing him. Driving him wild. Cass knew something he wanted all right, but he couldn’t have it.
She cleared her throat. “Look, Reaper—I mean, um, Cass—thanks for getting me away from Leo. I super appreciate that—”
He grunted. He wanted more than her appreciation.
“But, and trust me on this, you don’t want to get in the middle of this war. And coming between Luke and Leo? That will rip you apart. Or they will.” She shook her head. “I’m speaking from experience, okay? You don’t want to mess with them. Be smart. Just walk away. Leave me here and vanish.”
“Luke couldn’t find you.”
Her face immediately became shuttered.
“I asked him why he couldn’t find you on his own, why he needed me and he said it was because you weren’t dark.”
Her hands twisted in front of her.
“You weren’t dark, not completely, and I’m guessing Leo can’t locate you for the same reason, huh? You’re not completely good? You’re hidden from them both, and Leo only discovered you today because he’d been tailing me.”
She wasn’t just twisting her hands any longer. Now, Amber was rubbing her right wrist. Probably trying to rub off that now invisible handcuff. Won’t happen, sweets. You can’t get free of that.
Red stained her cheeks. “No, they can’t find me, not normally. But obviously, Leo can find you. And now because of your handcuff mumbo-jumbo, he’s going to be able to find me, too. Unless you go away. Leave. But do your magic first and unhook us, okay? Then you’ll be safe, and I’ll disappear.”
He stepped toward her. There was nowhere for her to retreat now. Not unless she wanted to fall onto the bed.
Her head tipped back as she stared up at him.
Once more, his gloved hand lifted to stroke her cheek. Why did he like touching her so much?
Because touching has always been forbidden.
But…there was more, with her. Normally, he couldn’t feel when he used the gloves. He had no sensation in his fingers. But when he touched her, it was as if the gloves didn’t exist. He could feel her warmth. Could feel the softness of her skin.