Page 4 of Air of Seduction

She takes off toward the still-open door, but I can’t let her leave like this. I reach out an arm as she passes by me, wrap itaround her, and pull her close, effectively stopping her escape. “You can join us.”

Payton stills before raising her gaze to mine, the look in her eyes uncertain, like she doesn’t believe me.

“Ronan.” There’s a warning in Markus’s voice, but I’m not going to listen to him, not this time.

I stare into her beautiful dark-brown eyes. “But you have to promise me to do exactly what I tell you. I don’t want a repeat of what happened in the alley.”

Her brows push together, and she bites her bottom lip. Then she nods. “Okay. As long as you don’t expect me to wait in the car. I need to be close enough so I can get to Olivia as soon as the vampire is out of the way.”

I nod. “As close as possible without being in danger. You can’t help your friend if you’re dead.”

She stiffens against me, and I suddenly realize her body is flush against mine.

Chapter 3

Payton

His words slam into me, but they aren’t the reason my heart is bouncing in my chest like a rabbit on meth. It’s the feel of his hard body against mine and the intensity in his mesmerizing turquoise gaze.

If he told me to sink to my knees right now and take his cock out, I would probably do it just to be able to keep staring into his eyes.

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. Then the arm he has wrapped tightly around me falls away, and he takes a step back. “We have to locate them first.”

I blink at him in confusion. Several seconds go by before his words make sense.

“Yes, of course.” I nod, looking away, only to meet the stern gaze of the other man. Markus, Ronan’s boss, I remind myself and back up a couple of steps to put more distance between me and the man who’s got my brain short-circuiting and my heart trying to jump out of my chest.

“I might know where they are.”

My gaze slides to the man suddenly standing in the doorway. He’s blond and just as big as the other two. It must be something in the water in this building, because they don’t look similar enough to be closely related. But then I could be wrong.

Ronan and Markus turn toward the third man when he walks into the room.

“What have you found out?” Ronan stuffs his hands into his pockets.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” The blond man gives me a warm smile. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

“My apologies.” Ronan glances my way. “This is Payton. Her best friend, Olivia, is the woman who’s been observed with Barry Wilson, and according to Payton, she’s not with him by choice.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” The blond man’s brows furrow. “I’m Aidan, and you can rest assured we’ll do everything we can to save your friend from that asshole.”

“Thank you. And I’ll be right there when you do.” I return his smile, but I know it doesn’t possess the same warmth as the one he just gave me. Ronan has conceded to let me tag along, but I don’t know if I can trust him yet, let alone the other two.

Aidan’s eyebrows rise, and he looks at Ronan, who nods in response to the silent question.

“I see.” The warm smile is back on Aidan’s face when his gaze returns to me. “Then I guess you’ll be part of the planning. I’ve already told my cook to make us some breakfast. Let’s meet down in the dining room in twenty minutes.” He doesn’t wait for a reply before he turns on his heel and leaves the room.

A moment later Markus walks out the door, as well, and I find myself alone with Ronan again.

“So, you’re not the only one who’s not a vampire.” It’s not a question as much as a statement. I don’t expect him to answer me or explain. He’s already made it clear he doesn’t want to give me any details.

Although, he did reveal that he healed me. But as far as I know, vampires can do that, as well, so he might not have felt it necessary to keep that a secret, even if he’s something else.

“No, I’m not.” He turns to face me. “But I’d appreciate it if you didn’t distribute that information. We like to stay under the radar, both when it comes to humans and other supernaturals.”

“Other supernaturals.” I taste the words. They imply that there are several kinds, and I can’t help but wonder which of the other fairy-tale creatures I’ve heard about that are more than just a tale.

I lick my bottom lip as I study Ronan’s striking appearance. There’s nothing about his looks that gives me any indication of what he is. But then the vampires I’ve met look human too.

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