arm around the back of hers.
“I’ve not seen you here before. What brings you to our corner of the world?” I traced a finger along the back of her neck.
“I’m looking for someone,” she shivered.
“They must be quite the person if you’ve vent ured here. Do tell, my lady, ” I drank from my glass as she squirmed.
“My sister. She’s been known to partake in the activities here. I’m trying to bring her home.”
“What type of activities?” I chuckled.
“You know damn well what type of activities, s ir. Do othe r women fall for your charms?” s he shifted herself to face me. Frustration poured off her in waves.
“Charms? No, they fall for my gentlemanly ways and overall good nature. I dare say I rarely need to charm women. They’re smart enough to decide who they bed, wouldn’t you agree?” I leaned toward her, inhaling her scent.
“Ugh, you are vile.”
“I’m only vile because you are moist just from my mentioning bedding. You know I’d be a romp worth the chance. How about this, I’ll see if I can find your sister. If so, I’ll leave you to bringing her home. If not, my payment is an evening of your time. If you decide I’m truly vile, I’ll disappear from y our life and you won’t remember,” m y hand traced up her thigh, but she didn’t stop it. Her eyes fluttered slightly and I knew she was just as starved as I.
“And if I don’t think you’re vile?” she whispered as I reached her treasure.
“Well, my lady, that could make for a very entertaining evening,” I pressed my lips to her neck and she stiffened a moment.
“Find my sister first, and then we’ll talk of payment. Are you a man of your word?” s he met my eyes with a piercing gaze.
“Inde ed I am. Tell me of your sister,” I kissed her neck again, allowing myself to indulge in her softness.
Her reaction to my dancing fingers was enough to break a man, but I was versed in discrete encounters. She gasped and grasped my wrist, plunging my fingers in deeper. For a moment, I’d forgotten our arrangement, but just as fast as it began, it ended.
“Not until we try to find her. You may have a way with words, and hands, but I have business to attend to first. Surely you can respect that?” s he held my hand to her thigh, panting from the ever so brief pleasure.
“I suppose I have to. Now, tell me of your sister.” I sat back and listened to her description while I sipped my scotch. She was an interesting woman. Part of my mind was detached while she talked, trying to recall a memory long forgotten. I wondered if I would have done the same for a sibling when I was human.
“How long has she been coming here?” I asked slowly.
“I’m uncertain. It hasn’t been long since she left home. Even there she talked of the excitement of places such as this. If father would have known, he would have chained her to the bed. Vampires are killed where I’m from.”
“But you know she’s here?”
“I received a telegram a week ago. She told me she was here, but I’ve been here for two days now and not seen her. I don’t know where else to look.”
“What is her name?”
“Alicia. She is about my height, but her hair is a darker red, almost brown. We look almost the same aside from that. Do you think you’ve seen her?” she asked excitedly.
“I’m not sure. Stay here. Don’t try to follow me. My scent is on you now, so no other men should bother you, but you must stay put. Forgive me for my rudeness, but I never asked your name?”
“Elise. And yours?”
“Christian. It is a pleasure, ” I bent low and kissed her hand.
“Well Christian, for what it’s worth, you certainly make an impression,” she giggled.
“As do you,” I smiled. “Now stay put until I return.”
Sure enough, I knew her sister well. I also knew she didn’t want to be found. She wasn’t a bloodwhore, but rather belonged to a fellow vampire. Alicia couldn’t leave him even if she wanted to. If she did, Darren