Page 8 of Vex
The transformation from dragon to man seemed to happen faster than the other way. One second he was the glorious black beast, the next he was … a different man entirely.
Gone was the composed, controlled professional from the bar. This version of Vex moved with a predator's agility, his smile sharp and knowing. He leered at her and swaggered, throwing his arm negligently around her shoulder. Then he leaned in and nuzzled her neck, hot breath ghosting over her skin.
The contact sent an unwelcome shiver through her. His touch was confident, possessive, and completely at odds with the reserved man she'd met hours earlier. When had Vex transformed from uptight rich guy into this peacocking playboy?
It was kind of hot and also off-putting.
"My lord!" exclaimed a voice from the entranceway. A man in a suit with a nametag she couldn't make out on one lapel rushed forward. "We weren't expecting you tonight."
Luisa jolted for a moment before remembering their covers. Vex was here as a dissolute dragon lord from Vemion. Well, the dragon part was certainly right. She doubted they'd waste a real lord on this job, though.
He was certainly acting like every lord she'd ever met.
He smacked her ass. "Plans change. We'll need our room now."
Okay, this persona wasn't cute.
The casual disrespect made her jaw clench. She forced herself to lean into his side, playing the part of the devoted mistress even as she mentally catalogued all the ways she could make him pay for that later.
"Of course, of course," said the man. "My name is Jaekob Kaur. I'm the concierge here. If there's anything at all that you need, please ask."
Vex sneered, eyes flicking up and down, judging and dismissing the man.
The arrogance in his expression was so complete, so natural, that a chill ran down her spine.
It felt so natural she had to wonder … who really was this guy?
And as she followed him into the casino, she had no idea what she'd gotten herself into.
4
He was touching his partner.
Too much.
Vex pulled Luisa closer and tried not to notice her scent. The warm fragrance of vanilla and something a little woodsy cut through the casino's blend of expensive cologne and recycled air. The scent hit him like a caress, heat coiling low in his gut with an intensity that made his jaw clench. His dragon instincts stirred, something feral and possessive that had no place in a professional partnership.
This was … inconvenient.
Already, he felt out of sorts. Not out of control. Never that. But something about Luisa … unnerved him. She was lush curves, soft hair, and that scent that went straight to his cock.
Of course, Vex the vapid lord would have her on his arm and in his bed.
The actual Lord Vex had to remember that she was his partner, not his … woman.
And that idea went through him like a live wire.
The casino stretched before them in refined excess: marble floors veined with gold, crystal chandeliers casting delicate light across gaming tables. Everything gleamed with understated luxury that whispered its price tag. Dark wood panels inlaid with precious metals lined the walls, and the gaming tables were crafted from mahogany.
It was wealth displayed with taste, designed to make the rich feel comfortable while reminding them of their status.
A server appeared at his elbow, offering a crystal tumbler filled with smoky smelling whiskey. Vex accepted the drink and tossed it back in one smooth motion, letting the burn slide down his throat. The gesture was pure performance, a casual disregard for expensive liquor that marked someone with more money than sense.
The concierge motioned for another drink without comment.
"Oh, babe, this place is great!" Luisa leaned into him, soft and yielding and exactly like the mistress of a dissolute lord.
He wished it didn't feel so good.
