Page 11 of Vampire Soldier

Blake whispering my name is too much. I drop my nose to her hair, breathing her scent in deeply.

Fuck, I’m such an idiot.

“I can’t hire you, Blake.” I’m quiet as I confess. “Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. Craving you.”

Her gasp taunts me; my blood heats and cock throbs.

“You have no idea,” I continue, my voice rasping. “I can still taste you on my lips. How sweet and tempting you were. I want nothing more than to taste you again, but this time I’d start at the back of your knees, lick my way up until you’re dripping down my throat.”

“You don’t mean that,” Blake protests, her voice strained.

The sound that leaves my throat isn’t laughter. I slide my palms down the door until they’re level with her hips, careful not to touch her. “You have no idea how much I want to slide these tight leggings off of you right now. I fucking hate these things because I’m a damned animal and they’re a red flag waving at me.”

“Malachi, stop,” she hisses, pressing her body against the door, as if that will get her out from underneath my looming one. “This isn’t going to make things better. This is sexual harassment and?—“

“Exactly,” I growl, and can’t help myself. I let my right hand fall so it brushes her ass. She whimpers and the scent of her arousal fills the air. I press my forehead into the door over her shoulder as I take hold of her waist. Then I let her feel exactly how hard I ache for her. She freezes against me and I groan as her ass nestles my hard length. “I’d be dealing with this every damn day. Stuck up here, watching you from above. Fantasizing about bending you over my desk and fucking you, seeing how many times I can make you come around my cock.”

Blake whimpers. Then I feel it, the gentlest push of her ass against me. She wants me too, as much as she’s telling me to stop.

I ease back, pulling my hands away even as I want to turn her around and hike her up against the door. I won’t force myself onto her though. If she decides to act on the desire I smell soaking her, all I need is for her to tell me.

Seconds stretch into infinity, my world balancing on a tightrope.

Reality snaps back as she clears her throat. Blake turns around, her expression professional even if her cheeks are still flushed.

“Unless you are officially denying me the position, Mr. Casadecappa, I want to assure you of my ability to maintain professionalism. We’re both adults—you more so than me, by a long shot, given”—she gestures at me with one hand—“your long lifespan. I believe I will help make this place a success and I believe that you can and should keep it professional between us.”

The challenge in her eyes delights me and I’m reaching for her before I realize and cover it by shoving my hands in my pockets. Scowling, I can’t back down from the thrown gauntlet. I wrap myself in the harsh determination that lets me send men to their deaths and return to my desk.

“You start tomorrow, nine a.m., Ms. Taylor. Perry will be your direct supervisor. If you need anything, ask him.”

ChapterSix

MALACHI

Logically, I accept that I shouldn’t be here.

An employer doesn’t go to his latest employee’s soon-to-be-former job and skulk in a dark corner booth.

I’d been to the Gentleman’s Study before, but it had always been on official Nightshade business. The bouncer hadn’t even bothered questioning me as I strode through the door, backing down as soon as he registered my presence. Over the pulsating beat, my superior hearing caught Blake’s distinct laughter at the bar.

Taking advantage of her absorption in her work, I’d secreted myself away in a booth where the lights of the main stage and bar didn’t reach. One of the servers, a young, statuesque Black woman wearing a tight, strapless sheath dress that clung to the tops of her breasts and only reached to her mid-thigh, had clocked me and quickly taken my order.

The smile she’d given me as she introduced herself as Dani held the familiar interest I’ve grown used to from women. No doubt she gave similar looks to all the patrons, but I expect the sincerity for me is new. This time last year, I would have returned the interest.

Since meeting Blake, only one woman has existed for me.

I’d told her to bring me whatever she recommended, not caring about the drink but knowing it was required.

In the booth, I can see the entire space. The bar is long, curving around the end of the main stage, where a dancer, clad in a black push-up bra and thong, is working the pole. She has a long, dark mane and full, sensual lips that she curls in a smile as she pulls the men sitting around the stage under her spell. But her face and figure are forgettable compared to the woman I came for.

Earlier, Blake had been wearing comfortable clothing for the audition. Leggings that had hugged her legs, the top hugging her small breasts and making my mouth water. I’d been driven to distraction the rest of the day, her scent lingering in my office.

She’d changed, though I’m not able to see her entirely from my vantage. I couldn’t let her know I’m here, not after how I’d pushed her earlier in the day. Dark humor tilts my lips as I think of the disapproving look Ambrose would give me if he knew I was practically stalking my new stage producer.

Instead of the barely-there makeup from earlier, she’d darkened her eyelids and painted her lips a sensual mauve color. Her lilac hair fell loose around her, ending above her shoulders. My cock comes alive as I curl my hand against the top of the table, longing to bury my fingers in those strands as I devour her. All I can see of her from here is her top is dark, making her skin contrast like moonlight against the narrow straps.

Lips. Body. Blood. It doesn’t matter because I crave all of her.

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