Page 151 of Hunters and Prey

“Oh, so it’s that kind of night,” I commented, allowing him to lead me away from the front. I waved a hand at the hostess before sashaying my way into the restaurant. The tables were full but spread out enough that we wouldn’t have to worry about being overheard. The ceiling above had a cinematic feeling to it with glass skylights showing the night sky. They really wanted you to dine under the moonlight.

I felt Remington before I saw him. There were perks to being a Phoenix Hunter. Besides the longevity and literal fire power, our senses were heightened, and there was almost a palpable feeling that came from demons and vampires alike. Honestly, there wasn’t much difference between demons and vampires. The biggest one was that vampires were created not born. I was sure there was some deeper connection between the two, some grand origin story somewhere, but I’d never cared enough to find out.

Remington made my hair stand on end and my nose tickle with the scent of lilacs and vanilla. I wasn’t sure if it was something he bathed in or if it was just his own personal scent. Either way, it always sent a pleasant hum down my spine, settling low between my thighs.

Damn vampire.

“Adara.” His voice was a smooth rumbling sound with just a hint of a European accent that made my name sound like something sinful and delectable. “I’m so overjoyed you have accepted my invitation.”

My eyes trailed over the crowd and landed on the vampire lounging in his chair at a back table. Remington didn’t sit. He posed. It was like he expected someone to pull out a camera at any moment and snap his photo. Not that I ever checked to see if a vampire came up in photos. They certainly showed in mirrors.

However, if there was one vampire I’d love to capture on film, it would be Remington. Dark ebony locks fell in waves around his face and over his shoulders, stopping at the tops of his pectorals. On anyone else, the hair would have looked ridiculous, but on him it made every person with a libido sigh.

If his hair wasn’t enough, those striking blue eyes that licked over your body like he wanted to undress you right where you stood would have. Those eyes moved over my body, making every part of me stand at attention. I suddenly felt like I was overdressed.

Sliding into the seat across from him, I scowled. This. This was why I stayed away from him. He was manipulative, overconfident, and a pain in the ass, but my damn hormones wanted to throw him down and roll around on him like some kind of feline.

“It’s not like you gave me much of a choice.” I gave him my nastiest grin. “There’s such a thing as calling? Or you could have sent the flowers to the bar?”

Remington snorted. “And you wouldn’t have answered. My flowers would have been turned away or worse thrown in the trash. I have become a desperate man.”

The way he said desperate made my thighs press together, and I grabbed my water glass the waitress had brought for me. Not caring if I was being lady-like, I chugged half the glass and sat it back down to be refilled. “Let’s get this over with. What do you want in exchange for my dad?”

Rolling his head to the side like some lazy cat, Remington clucked his tongue. “In such a hurry, Adara. You haven’t even eaten yet. You must be starving.”

My stomach decided to make itself known at the precise moment I was about to tell him to fuck off. Flushing and sinking further into my seat, I let my fingers play with the knife next to the plate.

Raising his hand to signal the waitress, Remington watched my face as he ordered for both of us. Steak, bloody, with a baked potato and greens. He only ordered a glass of wine.

“You’re not even going to pretend to eat,” I asked as the waitress left us. I tried to keep my eyes on anywhere but him. Sure, it was rude, but it was the only way I was going to get out of here with my panties firmly where they were.

I told you. Vampires were my kryptonite. Once I had a taste of them, it was hard to say no, especially this one. I’d only made it this far because I’d made a point not to speak more than a dozen words to him. Meaning, I ran. I wasn’t proud of it, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

“I wouldn’t want to be rude by ordering something I don’t intend to eat,” Remington continued, unaware of my inner turmoil. “Besides, I do enjoy watching you eat. I haven’t had a meal in over a century.”

I hummed, picking up my wine glass and drinking deeply from it.

“So, tell me Adara, are you going to avoid looking at me all night? Or should I just tell them to kill your father now?”

Tensing in my seat, I moved my gaze from the crowd and slowly to where Remington sat. “Better?”

“Much. Now it’s a proper date.”

“This isn’t a date,” I snapped, my eyes narrowing.

Remington laughed, just as the waitress came back. If it was any consolation, the waitress seemed a bit flushed by the sound of it as I was. Trying to bide my time and keep myself busy, I worked on my steak, cutting it into tiny pieces and then popping them into my mouth just as Remington tried to ask me anything.

Once I was down to the end of my meal, I tossed my utensils down and wiped my mouth. “There, done. Now, where’s my dad?”

“Now, now. We haven’t had desert.” He started to call for the waitress again, but then Draq moved to Remington’s side to whisper into his ear. Remington stilled and then straightened in his seat, his eyes becoming cool. “Tell me, Adara. When were you going to inform me that this was a group outing?”

I froze, confusion on my face. “What?”

“Do not play coy, it doesn’t suit you,” Remington growled a warning. “That twat of a hunter is watching us from the front booth.”

My eyes moved to where he said immediately. When they locked onto Alec’s blue ones, I frowned hard. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck.

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