by Jackie May
“Anything for you, Cecile,” Pellitoris says. His voice is every bit as smooth as hers had been. His eyes drift to me along with the guy who gave me his seat. “Who is your exquisite friend?”
Cecile breathes in deeply, her pupils swelling as she skims some of the lust coming from the two men. “Mmm,” she says. “Exquisite indeed. This lovely darling is Nora.”
Pellitoris takes my hand before I can stop him and brings it to his lips. I don’t hear whatever greeting he gives me; I hear his thoughts. She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. I need to get her on the dance floor so I can feel her body against mine and become the envy of every man in this club. Then perhaps I can bring her back to my kingdom. A little faerie food and wine, and she could be my human pet forever.
I pull my hand away while forcing him a tight smile. Yeah, I’m not going to be some summer fey’s plaything for eternity, thanks, but I keep my mouth shut. I know not to insult a sidhe. They’re a very prideful race and downright nasty when you slight them. “Nice to meet you.”
“And you, love. Perhaps you would do me the honor of a dance?”
Shit. How to say no without insulting him?
“Sorry, Pellitoris,” Terrance grumbles, having finally made his way to us. “This human is not available.”
Pellitoris frowns at Terrance and looks to me for confirmation. I shrug apologetically. “I’m waiting for my date right now. He’ll be here any moment.”
Pellitoris considers this and then grins at me. The sight gives me the bad kind of shivers. “And who is this man that didn’t have the decency to pick you up?”
“Parker Reed,” Terrance says, as if the name should scare the faerie away. “And he would have picked her up, except she’s staying at my place, and my wards are harmful to vampires.”
I glance at Terrance, wondering if that’s true. I’ll have to ask later, but I know better than to question him now. His face has gone dark enough that Pellitoris does a double take and then studies me again. “You’re staying with Terrance?”
I nod slowly. So does Terrance. And he’s taking on his badass-troll-bouncer stance. Pellitoris looks Terrance over from head to toe and then sighs. “Very well. I shall find another dance partner. It was still a pleasure to meet you, m’lady.”
“Pellitoris, love.” Cecile holds out a hand to the faerie. “Perhaps a dance with me instead?”
The sidhe’s face lights up, and he escorts Cecile to the dance floor. She shoots Terrance a subtle wink as she walks away. She offered to dance with the faerie to smooth over the situation, and I wonder if that’s not a big part of her job—playing peacekeeper for the surly troll. It would make sense.
“Nora, darling.” I glance at Cecile in time to see her flash me a brilliant smile. “Tonight was so nice. Do call me again some time. I hope we shall be great friends.”
Oddly enough, I like the idea of being her friend, so I nod. “I will.”
She walks away, and Terrance takes her place on the barstool next to me. He faces outward, scowling at everyone who looks our way. “Can’t leave you alone for a second in this place,” he grumbles. He eyes my outfit, and his frown deepens. “Damn succubus did too good a job. Is Parker on his way yet?”
I nod. “Texted him on the way. He should be here any minute. We’ll go somewhere else.”
Terrance growls at a man that sits on the stool on the other side of me. The man scampers away immediately. The poor guy must have made the mistake of checking me out. “Are you sure I can’t come tonight?” Terrance asks gruffly.
I shake my head. “As much as I’d love to have you backing me up, you really can’t. You’ll scare away our only lead, and we might not find Shandra in time. But don’t worry. I’ll have Nick with me every second.”
Terrance grunts. I take that to mean he’s satisfied with my answer. After a moment of silence, Terrance sighs. “You want something to drink while you wait?”
The offer makes me smile. “Sure. A Coke would be nice.”
Terrance disappears to make that happen without a word. It only takes him a minute to walk around the other side of the bar and shove a glass of Coke at me. “Thanks, T-man.”
“I was right, you know,” he says as I down half of the Coke. I didn’t realize how parched I was. Must be the stress of being so dressed up. “You are trouble.”
“You’re the one who wanted me to come here first.”
Terrance grunts again and folds his arms across his chest. I get the T-man scowl. “My wards keep out anyone who isn’t expressly invited. I didn’t want Parker invited to my place because vamps are all connected by a mental link to their sire. Invite Parker, and the magic wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between him and any member of his clan.”
So then Henry or any of his cronies could theoretically sneak in. I shiver again. “Good call, then, T. Thanks.”
His face softens. “I’ll keep you safe, Nora.”
My throat closes up at the promise. It’s still overwhelming to have someone I trust looking out for me.
“I’ll always protect you, too,” a smooth, soft voice says from behind me.
The hairs on my neck stand up, and I have to take a deep breath and smooth out my face before I turn to face Parker. My heart skips a beat when I see him. I can’t help it. He’s dressed in designer jeans that fit him like jeans should fit a man, and a nice button-down shirt the same color blue as his deep blue eyes. The sleeves are rolled up on his strong forearms. And he’s looking at me as if I’ve stolen all the air from his lungs.
“Hey,” I say. I cringe when the word comes out raspy.
He doesn’t speak right away. He’s still taking in the sight of me. “Nora,” he finally whispers, slowly shaking his head. “You look…”
Before he can find the right word, Terrance clears his throat. Parker blinks a couple times and flinches as he breaks from whatever spell he was under. Knowing that I was the cause of his trance, heat rushes to my cheeks. He clears his throat. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
“It’s just business.” At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
Parker’s lips twitch, as if he can see right through my no-nonsense attitude. Considering the man can sense my attraction to him, he probably does. That only makes me more determined to keep things professional. “We have a lot to discuss, so let’s get a move on.”
His lips twitch again. “Anywhere in particular?”
“Nowhere underworld affiliated,” Terrance orders. He’s gone back to scowling at all the hovering men.
“How about Greektown?” I offer. “That’s not run by the underworld, is it?”
Parker laughs. “Nope. Just the Greek.”
“Great. I’m starving, and I love me some falafel.”
“Greektown it is.” Parker’s eyes sparkle with amusement. It only makes him look hotter.
Parker grins as if he knows why I’m suddenly scowling, and moves to place his hand on the small of my back.
“No touching!” Terrance snaps as I sidestep Parker’s hand. “And keep a damn eye on her.”
Parker drops his hand and gives Terrance a grave look. “I’ll keep her safe, Terrance. You have my word.”
“You’d better.”
“I will.”
The two share a look that I want to roll my eyes at. I’m not some fragile doll. But I’m not ungrateful to have people looking out for me while I’m wearing a dress, so I resist the urge.
Parker, keeping to the no-touching rule, waves his hand, signaling for me to lead the way. We head out the front door, and I have no doubt the Mercedes Coupe waiting at the valet is his. He hurries forward and opens the passenger door for me, and now it really feels like I’m on a date. For the first time in my life, I’m conflicted by that feeling.
I shouldn’t want to date Parker. In my head, I know he’s a vampire. He’s one of the same disgusting, murderous things that killed my mother. He drinks blood. But the more I get to know him, the harder it is to see the
vampire, and all that’s left is the man.
I’ve never been interested in guys before. Normally when one gets too close, all I feel is fear. When Parker slides into the car and his heady cologne fills the air, fear is not the feeling that overtakes me. I don’t understand why he has this effect on me, and I don’t like it. It makes me nervous.
“You okay?” Parker asks as he pulls away from the club.
“Fine.” I realize I’m completely stiff and that my answer came out clipped, but I can’t seem to relax.
I don’t say anything else until we reach the restaurant Parker insists is the best in Greektown. It’s too nice for my taste and has a romantic atmosphere, but since it smells heavenly, I don’t argue.
We’re escorted to a small, candlelit table for two. Parker pulls out my chair for me, and now I know I’m on a date. How the hell did he trick me? What have I gotten myself into?
I startle when I hear my name called. Parker and the guy who escorted us to our table are both looking at me. “Wine?” Parker asks again.
“I don’t drink.”
I cringe inwardly for sounding so bitchy. But I’m on a date with a vampire, and I’m so nervous I’m about to start shaking.
Parker mutters something to the host, who scampers away, and then Parker settles his eyes on me. His gaze roves over me again, as if he can’t help himself.
“Nora—”
“What’s good here?” I ask, scooping up my menu and ducking behind it to hide from his penetrating stare. I can still feel him watching me.
“Everything,” he answers. “Especially the falafel. That is what you wanted, isn’t it? They have an especially excellent dish here.”
I lower my menu and frown at him. “So you eat food, then?”
His eyes spark with amusement again. “Yes. I do. It won’t sustain me, but I enjoy it, and will be ordering dinner with you.”
Well, that’s a relief. A small one.
As if his comment conjured him up, a waiter appears beside our table, dropping off water glasses with wedges of lemon. I order the falafel, and Parker opts for some kind of Greek lamb chops that actually sound awesome. When the waiter is gone, I grab my water and chug half of it down.
“There’s no need to be nervous, Nora.”
“Right,” I grumble under my breath from behind my water glass. “I’m only on a date with a vampire.”
I forgot vampires have really good hearing. Parker hears my comment, and his face lights up with pure pleasure. Damn. Now he knows it’s a date. What the hell is wrong with me?
“I’m really glad you agreed to see me tonight, Nora.” He holds up a hand when I open my mouth to argue. “I know it’s only because we need to find the missing underworlders, but I’m still grateful. Please, allow me to apologize for my part in your experience with my clan.” I scoff but don’t interrupt him, because his face looks so sincerely regretful. “If I’d had any idea of your gifts, or that you most likely have underworlder blood in you, I never would have brought you to Henry.”
No. You’d have tried to keep me for yourself.
“Whatever. It’s over now, so let’s just forget about it, okay? I know you didn’t mean for all that to happen. I’m still mad, but I don’t blame you. I blame Henry.”
“Henry is not all vampires,” Parker says softly.
Parker meets my stare, and I can’t look away. I’m so grateful for the table between us. If he touched me right now, I don’t think I’d have the willpower to stop him. “It doesn’t matter,” I whisper. “Vampire or not. I don’t do dating or relationships or anything physical.”
“You’re attracted to me.”
He’s right, but that’s not enough. “I’m afraid of you,” I admit. “I’m afraid of all men. I’ve been hurt by nearly every single one I’ve ever met.”
Parker’s eyes fill with sadness. “I would never hurt you, Nora.”
I gulp. I don’t want to trust him, but my heart is starting to believe even if my head doesn’t. “It doesn’t matter,” I say again. It’s barely a whisper.
“How can I prove myself to you? Tell me how I can gain your forgiveness and your trust.”
I shake my head. It wouldn’t matter if I forgave him, and I already do trust him, or I wouldn’t be here with him now. But I can’t get into a relationship. It wouldn’t end well. He’s too drawn to me. If I gave him an opportunity, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself. No. Until I figure out what I am and how to control this curse of mine, I can’t date anyone. My body is just going to have to cool down.
“I’m not looking to date, Parker. But I could use your help tonight.”
“Anything.”
Our food arrives, and as we eat, I tell Parker about my day, about going to the university and discovering the fake fraternity full of dark magic users. I tell him about my vision in the car and about the plan I’ve concocted with Nick for the party tonight. Parker doesn’t like this idea, but he doesn’t get a say. “So what would you like me to do?” he asks, not quite able to mask his annoyance that I refuse to stay away tonight.
“I need you to keep Xavier away. I’m sure he’ll call you.”
“He already has. I haven’t returned his call, but he invited me to come to a party with him tonight.”
I grin, feeling the excitement from earlier when I was plotting this undercover operation with Nick. “That would be the one we’re going to.”
“So why don’t I just come? At least that way I could help Gorgeous keep an eye on you.”
I shake my head and scoop up the last bite of my falafel. Parker’s right: This is the best falafel I’ve ever had. “You can’t. These guys know Xavier. They like him and trust him already. He’s the one they want. If he shows up tonight, they won’t look twice at Nick and me.”
“That’s not a bad thing,” Parker says dryly. He glances at my empty plate and adds, “Shall we order some baklava for dessert?”
I should say no; dessert feels like it brings us back into date territory after I’ve finally got us in business mode. But come on. Turn down free baklava? I don’t think so. “Hell yeah. I love baklava.”
Parker laughs and flags down our server. After the guy is gone, I resume our argument because Parker is looking at me all lovingly again. “You can’t bring Xavier,” I say.
“But if I’m there with Xavier, then they can just take me instead.”
“Yeah, and then you’d end up missing, just like all the others. They’re using dark magic roofies, remember? You’d wake up trapped in a cage somewhere, and we wouldn’t be able to find any of you. The point of all this is not for me to be bait, but for Nick to rush. We need them to accept Nick so that they tell him where the ritual is. If you go with Xavier, we still don’t learn anything.”
Parker sighs. He knows I’m right.
“Please just keep him away from the party. Take him out somewhere else, compel him if you have to.”
Parker raises an eyebrow at me. “You’d have me compel him? I thought you hated us doing that.”
“To innocent people, yeah, but to dangerous, psycho creeps? I’m not going to lose sleep over it.”
Parker chuckles quietly and shakes his head once. He pins me with a considering look, and I see the precise moment he agrees to my plan. “Okay,” he says. “I’ll keep Xavier away for you tonight. Under one condition.”
“And that is?”
He leans forward in his chair. “You allow me a kiss goodnight before I have to hand you over to Gorgeous.”
My mouth goes dry, and all the air is sucked from my lungs. I hesitate just a moment too long, and then the server is there with our dessert. He sets the plate in the middle of the table between us and lays down two dessert spoons. As soon as he’s gone, I grab my spoon and dig right in. “Oh, wow. This is good.”
“Nora…”
I refuse to look at him. “You have to try this. Seriously.”
“Nora.”
Sighing internally, I clear my mouth and force my gaze up. “No.�
��
His damn lips twitch again.
“No. Not happening.” This time, I sound like I mean it.
“On the cheek, then,” he counters. “I want to prove to you that not every experience with a man has to be a bad one.”
I swallow. Hard. Even though there’s no more food in my mouth. Then I take another bite of the baklava. “You’d better get in on this before I eat it all.”
“Nora…”
He’s not going to let it go. Closing my eyes, I set my spoon down. “Fine,” I whisper.
When Parker sucks in a breath through his nose, I finally look at him. I shouldn’t have. His eyes are swirling with desire, and the intensity of it makes my stomach flutter. I’m excited, but I’m also terrified. “On the cheek,” I demand. “And that is it. Nothing else. You try anything funny, and I’ll sic my troll on you.”
Parker smiles as if he’s just won, and my stomach cramps with nerves.
“I’m going to win you over, eventually,” he says as he finally picks up his spoon and dishes himself a bite of our shared dessert. “I’m a very patient man.”
Nick picks me up from the restaurant. Parker and I wait at our table until he texts, then Parker pays the check and walks me out the door. Nick is leaning against his motorcycle, waiting for me when we come outside. When he sees me, he lets out a long whistle. “Well, damn. Now I feel underdressed.”
He’s wearing jeans and a Metallica T-shirt under his leather jacket. He’s left the cowboy hat at home today and has traded his cowboy boots for a pair of black motorcycle boots. I smirk. “Actually, I think you’ll fit right in.”
This makes him grin. He takes off his jacket and holds it out to me with a waggle of his eyebrows. I hate to encourage his antics, but I laugh despite myself. As I take my first step in his direction, Parker clears his throat behind me. Oh yeah. I owe him a kiss.
I take a moment to steady myself before facing the music. I can feel him close the distance behind me. “My hands are clasped behind my back, Nora. You have nothing to fear.”
Except maybe how much I like it. He’s so close his breath tickles the back of my neck. A shiver rocks my entire body.