Page 47 of Night's Reckoning
Ben walked closer to her. “Beatrice too.”
“Yes.”
He stood in front of her, his hands stuffed in his pockets so he couldn’t grab and shake her. “So, just out of curiosity, have you ever sucked on either of their necks so hard you wanted to rip their clothes off and have sex with them?” He lowered his voice. “Have they ever made you do that sexy-as-fuck grinding thing with your hips?” He bit the corner of his lower lip. “Just curious.”
“Enough.” She glared at him. Her lips were flushed and red. “We have discussed this enough. I think we should get back to looking for this book and focus on the job we agreed to perform.”
“Your opinion is noted. I think you should tell me whether you’ve ever wanted to have sex with Giovanni or Beatrice.”
“Does it amuse you to provoke me, Benjamin?”
“I haven’t even started. How about Chloe? Gavin?” He leaned down. “Caspar, for that matter?”
She turned her back to him and faced the bookshelves. “I am going to look for the book. I am finished with this conversation.”
Ben placed both hands on the bookshelf, caging her in, and leaned down to smell the delicate scent at her neck.
She growled his name in warning. “Benjamin.”
“Tell me.” He kept his voice low, watching as goose bumps rose on her skin. “Have you had that reaction to any of your friends? Or is itmaybejust possible that something about me is different?”
He waited, his lips inches from her neck, watching her skin react to his presence. It was fascinating and sexy and infuriating.
“I told you I am done with this conversation,” she said quietly. “Help me or don’t. I told you what you wanted to hear.”
“You only answered part of the question, Tiny.”
“Back away.”
“Fine.” Ben straightened and took a step back. “Is the noodle place at the end of the block still open?”
If Tenzin was startled by the abrupt change of topic, she didn’t show it. “It should be. This time of year, all the noodle shops stay open late.” She didn’t look up from the book she’d pulled off the shelf.
“Good.” He walked to the door. “I’m going to get some food. I’d ask you if you wanted anything, but God forbid you admit to being hungry.”
“I’m not.”
“Sure, Tenzin.” He walked out the door. “Whatever you say.”
Ben crossed the courtyard in long, impatient strides and grabbed a heavy key to the garden gate, not wanting to wake Jinpa or her daughters while they were sleeping.
God forbid she admit to being hungry. Or lonely. Or in need of anything she couldn’t provide herself. Her ego was so massive Ben wanted to scream. He also had to recognize that her massive ego had probably been part of what kept her alive for so long.
Letting himself out, he turned right and walked down to the main thoroughfare where food stands and restaurant boats operated late into the night. There was a noodle soup he loved that he’d only ever had in Tenzin’s village, and even if he wasn’t hungry, he got a bowl when he could.
Ben crossed the arched stone bridge and walked toward the line of restaurants. It was only when he was walking down the other side that he realized he was being followed.
13
Ben crossed the bridge and immediately ducked into an alley running parallel to the main canal, curious how obvious they were going to be about following him. He heard one turn in to the alley behind him, but not the other.
He knew they were vampires from the way they moved. Not wind vampires though. Something else.
Were they following Ben or Tenzin’s human? He walked to the end of the alley and turned left, joining the scattered crowds going home after late dinners and drinks.
The water town was a tourist attraction, not only for foreigners but Chinese tourists as well. He saw newlyweds in bright matching outfits, a few American backpackers, and slick Eastern Europeans wearing leather coats in the dense humidity.
The second vampire was back. Ben glanced over his shoulder, and both of them looked away quickly, but not before he caught their eyes.
