by Claire Marta
“Has Asier broken your vagina yet?” Gemma took the opportunity to whisper in Jasmine’s ear.
“There have been a couple times I thought he might have. He’s certainly been giving me a workout every time I stay over,” she drawled back.
Her lover, the vampire Master of London, was into some very kinky shit. Not only did he run several successful BDSM clubs in the city, but he also indulged as well. Jasmine had been seeing him for the last two months. So far, he’d taken her on a blissful erotic journey. Any fantasy or desire she had was met in full in every way imaginable. Asier had told her to spread her wings and experience her carnal side, and Jasmine was discovering her own sexuality under his Dominant guiding hand. Yet, it wasn’t all about pleasure. The Italian was also teaching her to fight. Their time was balanced between the bedroom and the training room. He helped her flourish in strength and self-confidence. A patient teacher, he encouraged her to better understand her body and how to use it to bring down an assailant. Jasmine owed him much. Before he’d taken her under his wing, she had been on a spiralling path into oblivion, confused and running herself into the ground with things she could not control. Now, she had direction, a drive to better herself in every aspect of her life. She blossomed under his tutorage. Less of the shy clumsy girl she had been before and more a woman standing tall and beautiful in her own right.
“Are you still enjoying being with the same guy for two months?”
Jasmine smiled at Gemma’s question. “Yes.”
Although what she had with the Italian was a casual thing, she was enjoying what they had. It was fun. She was finding a freedom she’d never felt before. One she was not ready to give up, not yet.
“Hmm maybe it’s something I should try at least once,” her friend mused, as she twirled a ringlet of black hair absently around her finger. Gemma didn’t do relationships. The raven-haired beauty tumbled from one bed to another without a care in the world. “Oh, fuck what’s he doing here?”
Startled by the edge that Gemma’s voice had taken, Jasmine swivelled towards the door to see what had disturbed her.
The most dangerous drug that Jasmine knew had a heartbeat, and he’d just walked into the room. Eric Mérchant.
Naked disbelief lit her face for about thirty seconds. Then, she shut it down. It still surprised her how easy it was becoming to hide her emotions. Thanks to Asier, she was becoming a pro.
What the fuck was the bastard doing here? A mix of hurt and anger flooded through her. Yet, she didn’t let them show. She never expected to see Eric again, not after Prague.
He’d stolen her heart and smashed it in the worst possible way. Left it bleeding to death. Destroying her trust, he’d, then, ripped away her job. The only thing that mattered to her. Mark, her boss, had worked hard to get her back on the team. Did this vamp know she’d returned to work? Had he reappeared to snatch it away? Pent up hostility rushed through every corner of Jasmine. She wasn’t about to let that happen, not this time. No.
Standing straighter, she regarded him with a cool look. She was stronger than before. Less naive.
Eric looked darker and taller than the last time they met. And a hundred times more attractive. It was staggering how her memory didn’t do justice to his sophisticated sexiness. The powerful prominence of his masculine sexuality was there in every hard line of his big body.
Wide shoulders and the broadness of his muscled chest was accentuated by the expensive charcoal grey suit he wore. He had a tall physique. Confidence radiated off him with every movement. Eric ran a hand though his dark, short, tousled hair. A cold, polite smile curved his lips as their eyes met.
Jasmine tore her gaze away.
Seeing him after so much absence was like a blow to the solar plexuses.
Then came the rush of desire. It ignited so quickly inside her it felt like she might combust. Turning away from the striking Vampiria, she blanked her chaotic emotions. This couldn’t be happening. Fuck, she needed to gain control.
She was just starting to get her life back on track from the last time they met. Just seeing him again threatened her newly built defences. Silently, she cursed her body’s weakness for him. It craved him so easily. How could she still be so affected by him? Even after all this time? After what he’d done?
Risking a glance, she realised he was striding towards them, purpose in his every step.
For once, Eric was allowing his passion to peek through his cold façade. The vampire’s cerulean blue eyes made love to her from across the room. It mirrored a physical caress the way they wandered over her face and body.
Jasmine felt heat rise in her cheeks. The whole thing left her aching. And she hated him for it all the more. Why was she always inexplicitly drawn to him? There seemed to be no way to escape it. She was a slave to the intense attraction which always sizzled between them.
“What are you doing here?” Her tone came out accusingly as he halted before her.
“I heard you are in need of a translator, and I was in the neighbourhood.” His voice was low with a soft rich deepness. The sound, as always, stroked down Jasmine’s spine.
Trying to ignore how it made her toes curl with desire, she stared at him incredulously. “And you just happened to be in Budapest?”
Eric’s cold features gave nothing away. “Indeed.”
Jasmine wasn’t sure what to believe. Hot and angry words hovered on her tongue, but she bit them back. For a moment, the urge to hit him hard surged through her. She wasn’t about to lose it in front of her team, though. He wasn’t worth the effort. It took all her willpower to remain collected and remote.
“I smell bullshit,” Gemma spat as she bristled with her own rage.
Eric’s scrutiny flickered to the huntress. Unblinking, he inclined his head in greeting. All the while, his blue eyes gleamed with faint amusement.
“Get lost, Eric. We don’t need you, especially after last time.” Jasmine’s voice was brittle. She didn’t know why he was here now, but they certainly didn’t need him. There was no way her boss would agree to work with the bastard. Not again.
“I believe the ultimate decision is Detective Cummings. It all pins on how desperately you need someone who can speak the language.”
That piqued Mark’s interest as he walked in through the door. “You speak Hungarian?” For some reason, he didn’t seem surprised to see the vampire. Had he and the housekeeper been the ones to let him in? Jasmine glowered. Why would he do that?
“Fluently,” The vampire confirmed.
“We need him for translating,” Mark told them flatly. Expression pinched with stress, he flashed a tight smile. “The medium is here, and she won’t wait around. She’s already setting up in the dining room.”
Jasmine’s stomach tightened with anxiety. “Fuck.”
Did this mean they were just stuck with Eric for the evening or the whole investigation? It was unlikely anyone local would want to set foot in the house.
“If I am including you in this, then you better be prepared to share everything. This isn’t going to be like last time when you kept things to yourself. I’m not putting my people at risk because you decide we don’t need to be in the loop. If that happens, then you’re out of this. Got it?” Mark told the vampire in a sharp and commanding tone. “I’m in charge, not you.” With a hard-unyielding glare, he pinned the other male in place.
Eric nodded. “Duly noted.” He looked unfazed by the detective’s words. Intimidation was a waste of time.
“I’ll tell the medium she can get ready to start, then.” Spinning on his heels, Mark hurried away.
Glancing at Jasmine, the depths of Eric’s eyes held her mesmerized. They were less emotionless than the first time they’d met. He had a buried warmth in them now. It was there just below the frozen surface. A fire beneath the ice. And something else. Something that made Jasmine feel hot all over.
“Is this the jerk off that had Jasmine fired?” Fergus’s voice jolted her from the spell. Releasing a breath s
he hadn’t realised she had been holding, she blinked.
Storming towards them, the werewolf positioned himself between the women and the vampire. Shoulders tensed, his sinewy biceps flexed as he sized up the newcomer. He was in full alpha mode. Protectiveness was radiating off him in heavy waves. Expression grim, his amber gaze was narrowed with dislike on Eric.
“Cool it, mutt. Mark says we need him,” Jasmine muttered, placing a restraining hand on his arm. No matter how much she wanted to see the vamp get beaten to a pulp, they had to remain professional. Plus, she wasn’t a hundred percent sure Fergus could take him. Eric was old. Maybe older than the wolf, which meant he was stronger.
“Fine, but when his usefulness runs out, the blood sucker is mine.”
“Fergus just leave it,” Jasmine insisted. She didn’t want to see her friend get hurt.
Tugging her into his side, he tucked her under one brawny arm. “No way brat, no one messes with one of us, and fang boy’s got to learn that. No one takes advantage of my pack.”
Relaxing into his friendly hug, Jasmine could feel the heat from his body. Being a shifter, he generated more than a human. He was a living hot water bottle. Perfect for snuggling. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best thing with the summer heat.
“He’s a seasoned undercover operative with probably more ways to kill someone with his pinky finger than we ever will. Just keep that in mind,” Gemma pointed out from where she was sitting, watching the exchange in silence. Perched on the edge of an antique table, her arms were crossed under her ample breasts. “But if you do manage to end him, I’ll happily help you bury what’s left of the body.”
“Who is this?” Eric’s question sounded chilling. His rapier sharp glance speared Jasmine to the spot. She hadn’t forgotten how quickly he could go from hot to cold.
“The name’s Fergus. I’m the team’s tracker and muscle. I’m also Jasmine’s boyfriend.” Tightening his hold on her, Fergus settled her more firmly against him.
Jasmine tensed in shock. His words were still ringing in her ears. What the hell was Fergus playing at? Her boyfriend?
Gemma gave a subtle nod of encouragement behind Eric. She wanted her to play along. Swallowing an internal groan, Jasmine kept her expression neutral. This was such a bad idea.
She could already see the questions burning in Eric’s eyes. Why the wolf was touching her. Possessiveness glinted in their depths. This wasn’t going to end well.
If this was a show of dominance, she wasn’t interested. Neither of them had a claim on her, no matter what Eric said. As for Fergus, he was just a close friend who was obviously trying to help her out. Not that she needed help. She was more than capable of taking care of herself, now.
Stomach clenching with uncertainty, Eric kept his expression blank.
He’d been more than expecting the coolness of their reception. Coming here had been a gamble pure and simple. One he was willing to take. Yet now, he was more than certain it had all been worth it.
Eric’s breath caught in his throat the moment he set eyes upon Jasmine. She sparked his soul, melted the glacial core of his being. Her very presence called to him, body and soul, in ways he’d never experienced before.
Beautiful. She was just as lovely as he remembered. The girl had more curves than before. Skin glowing with health, he could see she’d gained some toned, lean muscles. It was something he found sexy. Jasmine had obviously been working out. The short, dark green cotton dress she was wearing showed her figure off to perfection. It also complimented the jade colour of her eyes. Rounded hips, small high pert breasts, and a slender figure, Eric wished he had taken longer to get to know, were all on display. Was she finally comfortable in her own body? He’d never seen her wear something so feminine of her own accord. It was captivating.
Her maddening scent began to surround him. Flowers and sunshine. It stirred his need for her. How long it had been since he had touched her. Tasted her. A physical ache to hold Jasmine closely throbbed painfully through him. Fangs pulsing in his gums, he could feel his cock hardening at the thought of having her beneath him as he fucked her.
He felt like a love-sick boy. Yet, he saw the hostile distrust in her eyes. Eric could sense the impregnable shield she’d built inside her head against his presence. Praying to the gods he hoped he could undo all the damage he’d done. Wash away the pain he’d caused her.
His fear of rejection had kept him away far too long. He wasn’t prepared to allow that to happen again. The fact was she had no clue to his feelings or his intentions. Love was what fuelled him now. A pure feeling. He was going to win her back. Her affections, trust, and love were going to be his. Eric was willing to go to any lengths to achieve it. He’d settle for nothing less, undertake any quest or task to show his intentions were honourable.
In his long existence, he’d battled many foes and seduced many women, yet none of it had felt as important as this. Budapest was a fitting place for what he had in mind. Not only did the city have layers of rich and complex history, it also housed romantic views, Turkish bathhouses, and some of the best cuisine in the country. All he needed to do was convince Jasmine to spend some time with him alone. How hard could that be?
Although the werewolf claimed they were a couple, it was easy to see the fondness between them wasn’t that of lovers. This wasn’t the male he had to win her back from. That did not stop the spike of jealously, though, as he watched another male hold her in his arms.
“I see you have been practising your poker face.” Eric observed as Jasmine continued to lounge infuriatingly in the wolf’s embrace. “Your improvement is highly noticeable.”
Just by looking at her, he could see she’d acquired more experience. Her expressions no longer gave away so much. Even her eyes guarded most of what she was feeling. Eric was impressed. It was clear she’d been trained in the art of concealing tells or weakness, and it was paying off. She held herself with more confidence, too. The girl had grown into herself.
“Thanks,” Jasmine replied unenthusiastically. Her attention was on the assortment of antique clocks that lined the walls.
Eric wasn’t so sure exactly how to play this. Jasmine, it seemed, wanted to act as if they were nothing more than polite strangers. This wouldn’t do. Not at all.
“Where is Twitch? I thought he accompanied you on every mission?” So focused on his feisty female, he’d only just noticed the techno mage’s absence.
“He’s taken his mate to visit his family in Scotland.” Gemma slunk off her seat. Pursing her lips, a gum bubble formed steadily as she blew.
The smell of strawberry assaulted Eric’s sensitive nose. “Mate?”
“Lexi, she’s a succubus.” Fergus released Jasmine from his hug. They could all hear Mark calling for him from another room. With a roll of his eyes at the women, he strode off to see what their boss wanted.
Eric’s eyebrows hiked up into his hairline. “The mage is more daring than I previously gave him credit for, mating with a demon of all things.”
“He doesn’t need to know all this. He’ll just be gone again once this case is over,” Jasmine interrupted, impatiently. Arms crossed, she stood defensively. So, her new armour did have cracks.
How wrong she was. For now, he would conceal his true purpose there. Eric suppressed a smile. The girl would soon learn he was here to stay. Where she went, he would follow.
Jasmine was determined to freeze Eric out. She wouldn’t let him get to her. Whatever his motives were, she didn’t want to know. He was acting way too cool, though.
“I better go check on Mark. His stress levels will be through the roof before we get to bed this evening. You know how much of a stress bunny he can be, and knowing Fergus, he won’t notice.”
“He needs to learn to relax”–Jasmine told Gemma as she passed behind her– “we should send him on a spa weekend after this assignment is over.”
“I don’t think that word exists in his vocabulary,” her friend called back.
Eric caugh
t her hand and brought it to his lips the moment the huntress was out of sight. Jasmine went rigid at his touch. She could feel the strength in his grip, subdued but there. Suppressing a hiss, she snatched her hand free.
“Do not mistake my restraint for a lack of desire.” His voice rumbled out deliberate and gentle. “I still want you, Jasmine. You may be sure of that.”
A shiver raced through her as she met his piercing stare. “Look, Eric, let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want you. I’m not interested in your games. You’re wasting your time; whatever it is you’re here for.”
“That dress suits you well.”
“Thanks,” Jasmine said slowly, confused at his sudden change of conversation. Tugging down the long arms of her thin, white cardigan, she made sure the scars on her inner arm were covered.
The dress hadn’t been her choice. Asier, the vampire Master of London, her lover, had chosen it. Her clothing was something; he’d started to mention.
“Why do you have to cover up so much, bella? You have lovely little tits and a great arse. You should be proud of them, not hide them away under so many baggy clothes,” Asier had whispered in her ear one evening.
She’d been suspended by ropes, at the time, in his play room, his capable hands roving over her half naked body. Confident and, oh so, teasing.
It was a space in his club that was solely his. A place for the Master vampire’s pleasures and pain. It had been the first time she had allowed him to tie her up.
And god help her, she’d enjoyed it. She’d admitted to herself then this wouldn’t be the last time, either. From the knowing smirk that had curved the vamp’s beautiful face, he’d known it to.
That’s when he’d convinced her into trying new clothes. Things that showed off her figure rather than hide it. Jasmine had been hesitant as first. Slowly, though, she found she liked many of the dresses.