“I’ll keep that in mind.” Eric smiled at each of them then left, very much aware he was being watched as he walked back to his table. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the women’s giggles.
Aaron grinned at Eric. “They were looking at your ass.”
Ignoring him, Eric counted each napkin as he put it down in front of Max. “That’s three.” He waved to a passing waitress. “My friend here will need three shots of whiskey, and please leave the bottle.
“That was too easy,” Max said.
The waitress set the three shots in front of Max. Then another arrived with their pizza.
Eric slid a hot slice from the pie. He nodded to Aaron and before the second bite said, “It’s good.”
Aaron chuckled. “Maybe we’ll need some hot wings, too.”
Over the course of the evening Eric did well but struck out enough that even he felt a little fuzzy. When he came back to the table after trying to get the number of a thin, short-haired redhead he had to admit he was having fun. “Even the ‘my friends are daring me’ didn’t work with her.” Eric threw back the waiting shot. “She’s a lesbian.”
“You don’t know that,” Aaron said, munching on a buffalo wing.
“That’s what she told me.” Eric picked up a wing and watched Max with interest.
Already wiping his mouth and popping a mint, Max stood. “You didn’t ask right.” He smoothed his clothes and sauntered over to the redhead.
Eric shook his head mournfully as he watched his new friend.
“You think she’s really a lesbian?” Aaron asked.
“Oh, yeah.” Eric was already feeling sorry for Max. “See that large blonde woman coming up behind him?”
“Oh no.”
The large woman topped Max by a foot and a half. She placed a hand on his shoulder and apparently squeezed, because his face contorted in pain as he jumped and grabbed his shoulder.
Though his back was to Eric, he knew Max would be talking fast.
Eric sipped at his beer, trying to dilute the whiskey coursing through his system. “Twenty bucks says he gets their numbers.”
Aaron studied the trio for a moment and agreed to the bet. “That blonde looks like she’s going to crush him.”
They spent another minute intensely watching the action and when the two women kissed Eric felt his blood heat. The redhead passed a napkin to Max and the women whispered to each other as they watched him walk away.
“And that’s how it’s done.” Max placed the napkin on the table displaying the women’s names and number.
“Damn.” Aaron smacked the table and dug out a twenty.
“You bet against me.” Max tsked. “Everybody likes a little variety.”
Grinning, Eric toasted Max with the shot as he tucked the twenty in his pocket. The man was just too good. Eric had participated in a threesome once, back in his younger, more carefree days. Now, though, he needed more than a conquest. The game had been fun, but he knew he wouldn’t call any of the numbers in the stack in front of him.
Aaron counted up napkins. “You’re tied.”
“Okay, man, tiebreaker time,” Max said. He gestured toward the bar’s entrance. “Two Latina babes just walked in. You have to get numbers for both of them. Damn, lucky bastard, they’re twins.”
Eric turned and looked. It took a moment to sort through the crowd, but he soon caught sight of the women, tall and attractive. Tan skin glowed in the lights, and long black hair fell straight to the middle of their backs.
“Okay, I got this.” Eric stood and straightened his shirt.
He weaved his way around the tables, and as he neared the twins he reached out a hand to tap the closest on the shoulder. Then it was like he’d been smacked. This woman smelled similar to the blonde with the purple G-string at the casino earlier. No. No, it was her.
She had changed her appearance. How did she do that? His hazy mind worked on that a bit. She was supernatural—she must be—but what kind? Not that he cared, really. Still, it put her in another class altogether. It didn’t hurt that she smelled amazing.
Before he could touch her shoulder, she turned. He let his fingers rest lightly on her shoulder, then glide down her arm. “Hello.” His voice felt thick. His breath came fast. Never in his life had he reacted to a woman this way, except maybe when he was eight.
“Hi,” the other woman responded, grinning at him. The color of her eyes seemed to spin.
Eric shook his head, the alcohol affecting him worse than he thought possible. He was seeing things. “Um, I’m Eric.” He reached out his hand to the other one.
“Nichole,” she said, then got an elbow and grunt from her twin. “Sandra Nichole. As she shook his hand, she turned to stare at her sister. “Uh, Dana, why don’t I get us a table?” She turned back to Eric. “Nice meeting you.”
Eric nodded at the retreating back and then turned to the woman who’d been in the corner of his mind since that afternoon. “I’m glad to see you again.”
Eric could see something like panic in her eyes. “What are you talking about?” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve never met you before.”
Chapter 5
She fought the urge to moisten her lips. How could he know? She recognized him, of course, the man from the café that afternoon, but there was no way he could recognize her. Why would he say that? Was it a line he used to pick up women? She remained quiet, waiting for him to speak.
A moment passed, and he continued to smile at her. He could at least have the decency to look uncomfortable. She scanned the room. “Well, if that’s all then.”
His expression changed like lightning. “Wait.” He moved to grip her arm and stopped inches from her skin.
Even a person unaccustomed to reading emotions could sense he earnestly didn’t want her to walk away. To Ashley, he may as well have shouted it. She couldn’t fathom why he wanted her to stay so desperately.
Pleased to have maintained the advantage, and filled with curiosity, she clasped her hands in front of her and waited, allowing the corners of her mouth to twitch only slightly when he groped for something else to say.
When he did speak his voice seemed to rumble. “Want a drink?”
Unable to hold it back, she grinned and nodded once. Following him to a table, she rationalized the distraction. Nichole would be fine and perhaps better off without someone over her shoulder. Perhaps, if Ashley dealt with a less ripe man, it would help her maintain her edge. A bit of practice.
The table held several nearly empty food baskets which he stacked and pushed off to the side. Enjoying watching him squirm, she raised an eyebrow and leaned back. He shifted and waved for a waitress, tapping a staccato on the table while they waited.
After a moment, a waitress appeared and took their orders for white wine. Watching him carefully, Ashley could tell he had matched her order and wished she’d chosen something else. Ah, too bad.
“So,” he croaked. He cleared his throat and then spoke again. “Are you visiting Vegas?”
Small talk. Easy. “No, I live here.” Easy but boring, and no reason not to play. “So, what about this weather?”
“Um, yeah, it’s hot,” he said. She watched his brow crease as he seemed to struggle for something else to say. Running a hand through his hair he sighed. “I don’t have anything amazing to say.”
“Really?” The sarcastic comment came out without a thought.
“Really.” He delivered his answer with such direct honesty she fought the impulse to giggle.
No, no giggling. She straightened her curving lips. What was she doing? She shouldn’t be sitting with him; she really should be with Nichole.
Thinking of her student, Ashley glanced around, found the woman standing at the bar, and caught her eye. Instead of the bundle of nerves Ashley expected, Nichole grinned, waved, and gave her a thumbs up. Ashley dipped her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. “She thinks I’m going to get lucky,” Ashley muttered.
“Your … sister?” The man acro
ss from her glanced around.
“Never mind.” Ashley regained his attention. “What’s your name?”
“Eric Adams. What’s y—” The obvious question was interrupted by the waitress and their wine.
“Dana,” Ashley answered when the woman walked away.
“Dana … ?” He dragged the word out, motioning with his glass, waiting for her last name.
“Eric, what is your intention here?” Suddenly, she felt impatient. She’d become distracted, which had of course distracted Nichole. This man was entertaining and surprisingly attractive. An observation she never thought she could make. Waiting for him to get to the point could take all night, and she had things to do.
“Intention?” His brows furrowed, and he lifted his glass to his lips.
“I’m not interested in a business proposition,” she said.
He smiled over his glass.
“And I’m not interested in a personal relationship, either.”
He set his glass down.
His disappointment was palpable, and her stomach twisted in response. It didn’t matter. His feelings were inconsequential, she reminded herself. As were hers. She had a responsibility, and she’d wasted too much time indulging her curiosity.
“You want to go back to your friend.” He did nothing to hide the regret in his voice.
He’d said “friend.” They were disguised as twins. How could he know? She carefully schooled her features to hide her discomfort. As she rose, she said, “Sister. And I’ve abandoned her to sit with you.”
“I understand,” he said. Also standing, he stepped around to her side of the table and pleasantly extended his hand.
She took it, planning to shake it briefly, but he closed the distance between them with a step and slipped his free arm around her waist. Their joined hands pressed between them.
His movements were so unexpected she didn’t have a chance to react before he leaned in, lightly brushing her lips with his, and then let her go. But he didn’t step back.
“I’d have killed myself if I hadn’t done that,” he said, his lips inches from hers.
Her body reacted. Heat. Her face felt hot, and something seemed to ignite inside her. Things awakened; every nerve felt alive for the first time. Incredible. Intriguing. Infuriating. Damn him.
Still gripping his hand she twisted, swept her right leg behind his, and stepped closer, tripping him backwards onto the floor. She released his hand and pointed a finger in his face while placing one high-heeled shoe on his crotch.
“You didn’t have permission to do that.” The venom behind her words was lost when she realized he was still smiling.
“You have beautiful legs.”
Though this man confused her, she maintained her hard expression. “This is a warning.” He didn’t fear her, but he didn’t want to possess her, either. Every way she knew to control the situation was gone.
“Yes, of course.” He remained on the floor, propped on his elbows as if it were the most comfortable speaking position in the world. “I would like to see you again. Maybe when you’re not out with your sister … ” He curled his fingers in air quotes around the word “sister.”
“Perhaps you will. You said you’ve done so already.” She removed her foot and stalked off to find Nichole.
And found her deep in conversation with a waitress. “Are you ready to go?” Ashley asked.
“Yeah, sure.” Nichole looked from Ashley back to the waitress. “Thanks for the information.” She handed the woman a twenty.
Once outside in the night air they both spoke at once.
“So how’d it go?”
“Why’d you pay her?”
Giggling a little, Nichole answered first. “The waitress was talking to a bartender and bouncer about a guy that comes in every Tuesday and harasses her.” They climbed into their car. “Big tipper, but he’s getting annoying, and she feels uncomfortable now.”
“So you bought his description?” Amateur mistake. “You didn’t need to pay her. You just come back on Tuesday and look for him.”
“I didn’t know what he looked like.”
Ashley pulled out of the lot and silently called to the universe for patience. “You can see his aura. If he’s prey, you’d be able to pick him out of the crowd, even if he were dressed as a woman or hiding in a box.”
“Right.” Nichole sounded like she was pouting, but Ashley refused to look.
“I’m trying to help you,” Ashley said with an even tone.
“But there were no ripe ones there.”
“The night is still young.” They pulled into the parking lot of another club. Ashley undid her belt and was out of the car before she realized Nichole hadn’t moved.
“What are you waiting for?” She ducked her head to see into the car.
“How did it go?” Nichole asked.
“How’d what go?”
“The talk with your new disciple. He seemed to want to worship you.”
Ashley chuckled and closed the car door. If Nichole wanted an answer she’d have to get out too. It worked.
“Well?” Nichole asked, slamming the car door.
“Nothing special.”
“He kissed you.” They walked across the parking lot.
“Yes, and now he knows better.” She fought to stay irritated, but the remaining warmth of the kiss and the memory of Eric grinning up at her from the floor made it a losing battle.
“Did you like it?” Nichole rubbed her hands together. “Did he ask you on a date?”
“Who do you think we are?” Ashley snapped. “We don’t date; we no longer need men.” Best that she remember that, as well. “I was curious as to what he wanted. That’s all.” Ashley decided then that the best way to battle the memory was to ignore it altogether. “We have a purpose tonight.”
“I know.” Nichole rubbed her hands together again. “All right, let’s go find some scum.”
After a few moments in this club, they located several ripe men. But one, in a large cowboy hat and with a wrestler’s build, positioned against a wall near one of the side bars, stood out most.
They kept their Latina guises and chose seats at the center bar. Over several hours, they watched him and who he approached.
He was buying drinks for girls too young to be in the club in the first place. He was hunting too. Finally, one of the young women giggled to her friends and kept looking in his direction. The hunter grinned, not in excitement like his quarry, but in satisfaction.
Nichole and Ashley exchanged a glance. The hunter had found his prey. And they’d found theirs. With a nod to Ashley, Nichole moved off to the ladies’ room to change her appearance. He would be hers so she would be the lure.
Ashley stayed in place and in her current form and watched the girls move closer to the hunter. Gazelles, not realizing they were being stalked.
With her friends surrounding her, the hunter’s target remained safe. Separated from the herd she’d be easy pickins. The way she kept looking in his direction, she seemed to be waiting for his signal to approach, ready to break away at any moment.
The hunter pushed away from the wall. Crap, the bastard didn’t waste time. Even as she moved to intercept the girl Ashley scanned the crowd for Nichole. She finally spotted her, in the form of a petite blonde, wide-eyed and well-endowed, just leaving the ladies’ room.
Nichole only needed another minute or two, so Ashley retrieved a discarded, half-full glass and bumped into the innocent girl, dumping the dregs of a strawberry daiquiri down the front of her blouse.
“Oh, crap, I’m sorry.” Ashley slurred her speech and swayed, grabbing a napkin off a nearby table to dab at the blouse.
“Oh my God!” The girl fanned her hands in the air and backed away from Ashley’s napkin.
The girl’s friends surrounded her immediately and ushered her off to the bathroom. Ashley stumbled up to the nearby bar and ordered a daiquiri to keep in character. She didn’t want to tip the hunter off.
T
hen she heard Nichole make her move. Did he have the time? Ashley nearly flinched, the line was so transparent, but then any line delivered with vacant wide eyes was believable.
Ashley turned and leaned against the bar. With peripheral vision, she watched Nichole talk to the hunter, yelling in his ear and occasionally giggling when he yelled in hers.
All that was required of Ashley now was to watch and wait.
• • •
Once back in his hotel room Eric sat at the small table by the window. The evening had been a great way to blow off steam. He hadn’t had a night with the guys in ages. Mostly because once he’d left the force he didn’t feel right going to McDaniel’s, the local cop bar.
He glanced at the desk with the work folders on top. Then at the large empty bed. The bed reminded him he was alone, which in turn gave him an image of the woman he’d met at the bar. She was human, but also something more. She intrigued him, more than any case he’d ever worked.
At one time in his life he would have been attracted by her beauty. Her smile. Her eyes. Knowing that her looks weren’t the real her, he struggled to determine what caused his instant attraction. Her scent? The way she seemed to see into him? Whatever it was, he needed to forget her. A supernatural woman with far too many secrets, he would never be able to trust her. Nothing good could come from that woman.
Chapter 6
Ashley sipped her daiquiri and studied the club. A large dance floor surrounded a central bar and was packed with couples gyrating to the pace of the music.
One of the blessings of the sisterhood was that alcohol and other deleterious substances had no effect. On some nights, Ashley would have given her right arm to be able to numb her mind and drift like the humans around her. Like she used to.
When she’d been mortal she’d drunk. In the beginning, she did it to feel warm and fuzzy. Just a way to relax and unwind. But then after she got married it became a way to escape. Her husband hadn’t been an ass when they met. He was strong and possessive, but in that decade, that behavior was romantic and not the warning sign it was now. Drinking had been a comfort then. A hug when she had no other way to get one.
Redeeming the Night Page 6