Page 2 of Air of Seduction

Leaning back, I cross my arms over my chest. “No, it doesn’t, but it’s all I’m going to tell you. How are you feeling?”

Her lips press into a hard line as she studies my face, and I inwardly chide myself for being so dismissive.

Forcing a small smile, I uncross my arms and rest my hands on my thighs. “I would genuinely like to know how you’re feeling before I let you go.”

Her eyebrows rise. “Letme go? As in if I don’t tell you, you’ll keep me here?”

Throwing my hands in the air, I groan. “I’d just like to know you’re all right, okay? Is that too much to ask after I saved you from that vampire who was chasing you?”

She stares at me for several seconds before she opens her mouth. “I’m fine.”

I examine her face for any sign that she’s lying, but she looks okay, and she clearly remembers at least some of what happened when I met her a few hours ago.

Which means I should follow her to the door and say goodbye. But for some reason, the thought of letting her go and never seeing her again makes my body feel too heavy to get up.

Chapter 2

Payton

I look down at my hands, which are curled into loose fists in my lap, pretending to find them interesting.

The man sitting in the chair across from me is probably the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, although not in the classical sense.

His cheekbones are high and sharp, giving him a severe look, and the effect is enhanced by the contrast between his deeply tanned skin and his white-blond hair.

And then there are his pale turquoise eyes. I’ve never seen eyes that color before.

For a fraction of a second, they seemed to heat, giving them an earthier tone, but it was gone so quickly I’m sure I imagined it.

I should get up and tell him I want to leave, but for some reason I can’t make myself move. And it’s not just because he might be the only one who can help me.

“Why didn’t you leave when I told you to? Staying and following us into the alley wasn’t a smart move.” I can hear the disapproval in his voice.

A snort escapes me when I raise my gaze to his. Perhaps I should be offended that he practically just called me stupid, but I’m not. I can’t remember blacking out, but I can remember watching this man fight the vampire in the alley, instead of running away like a coward like most people would have, and I should have if I was smart.

Except I had a reason to stay, and unbeknownst to the man in front of me, he has just given me the perfect opportunity to ask for his help. “I’m trying to locate my best friend, Olivia. She’s being held hostage by one of his friends.”

He frowns and sits forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “A friend of the vampire I fought?”

I nod. “Yes. That’s why I approached him. I saw her with him and his friend three days ago when I was out searching for her. They disappeared before I could get to her, but last night I saw him again.”

“How do you know she’s being held hostage and isn’t spending time with the vampire willingly?”

“She sent me a text six days ago, begging for my help, and that’s the last I heard from her. I’ve called and texted her numerous times since then, but her cell phone is switched off.”

He nods. “Do you know the name of the vampire who’s got your friend?”

I give him a weak smile, my heart sinking in my chest. “His first name’s Barry, but that doesn’t help much when I don’t know his last name.”

He cocks his head. “It isn’t Wilson by chance?”

My eyes widen, and renewed hope makes my heart rate speed up. “I don’t know. Why do you ask? Do you know a vampire named Barry Wilson who might hold a woman against her will?”

He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “I do, and I’ve got a picture of him right here.” After a few seconds of searching his phone, he shows me the screen.

My pulse starts rushing in my ears as I stare at the picture. It shows a smiling man that could be mistaken for a nice guy, but I already know he isn’t. “It’s him.”

The striking man across the table from me gives a sharp nod. “Then you’re in luck. We’re already on his trail. Hopefully, we’ll locate him within a day or two. I’ll let you know when we do.”

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