Page 126 of The Vampire's Thirst
“You’re making a scene, Dax. Release the nice man and get me a drink. Hi, Bounty. Nice to see you. Is your brother pissing you off?”
Dax’s eyes bounced around again, looking for eavesdroppers. “What the fuck, Bounty. You did tell everyone about us. Are you crazy?”
“Yes. I told everyone. Your female. Your friends.”
“I don’t have a female or friends.”
“What am I? Chopped taco meat?” asked Matty. “I’m insulted.”
Chiara slipped her arm through Dax’s.
Instead of pulling away from the little witch, he made the mistake of eye-wandering over her curves. She was in a short, almost indecent skirt rather than one of her usual long ones. Tall-ass heels showed off her shapely legs. He paused at her cleavage, showcased by a pale silk blouse with too many buttons undone. After long seconds, he shook his head to erase the tempting vision.
“Stop being rude.” Chiara brushed back an errant strand of long dark hair which curled atop a plump breast.
“You’re as crazy as my sister. I mean … Bounty. Damn. This is a major fuck-up.” Dax felt the veins in his neck throb.
“I’m still waiting for my drink. Bounty, do you want one?” asked Chiara.
“That would be great. Make mine white wine. Would you like another beer, Matty?”
He tipped his bottle, checking to see if it was empty. “The same.”
“I am not getting drinks.” Dax growled, the tips of his fangs protruding.
“I’ll get them,” said Matty, “but I could use some help, beautiful. Four drinks are a lot for a weak human to carry.”
“I’m right on your ass. Such a nice ass.” Bounty swatted him before she locked a hand into the crook of his elbow.
As Dax watched his sister walk away with the human, an unwanted memory popped into his head. She was huddled against the headboard at his stepfather’s blud den with the hem of her soiled skirt squeezed tight around her feet after a male had…
Chiara’s smooth voice drifted into his consciousness, interrupting unbidden thoughts. She was saying something about the dogs. Her arm was still locked in the crook of his elbow. His heart pounded against his chest as he fought for breath. He needed to get away before he did something stupid. “Stop.” He untangled himself from the little witch. “I’m poison. Get me? We’ve had this talk. Now walk away before you’re hurt.”
“You’re the only person who can hurt me, Dax.” She tilted her head, her innocent eyes focused on him, waiting for… What? Something he couldn’t give?
Surely, she saw his darkness, his cocked-up life. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I’ll end up hurting you. It’s what I do. If you won’t walk, I will.”
With Chiara’s gaze stabbing him in the back, he strode away. When he passed Bounty, he bent to whisper in her ear. “Take care of the little witch.” He jerked his chin toward the stronghold. “You coming, human?”
For once, the guy was speechless as he looked at Bounty for the answer.
She rested a hand on Matty’s shoulder. “No. He’ll stick around. He’s next on my dance card, but I will deliver him here tomorrow morning. None the worse.”
“Will I be smiling?” Matty asked.
“From ear to ear.”
“This is so fucked up.” Dax stormed into the stronghold through the rear entrance, his leather coat flaring, his long hair whipping across his shoulders, his failures echoing with every loud step on the tile.
****
Chiara’sheels clicked on the floor when she chased after the stubborn vampire. Seducing him was harder than she expected, but she struggled to stay upbeat even in the face of his repeated rejections.
She was determined to show Dax the man she saw, a gruff savior who risked his life for others, who expected nothing in return. Though he pushed her away, she couldn’t fight her feelings. She was in love with the man. The vampire. He was difficult. He was flawed. But he was so much more than the sum of his mistakes. If she couldn’t force him to accept that, they stood no chance of being together. He would sabotage the situation every time.
After she trailed him into the library, she shut the door.
Dax spun toward her, his obsidian eyes furious. He snagged her elbow. “Why the fuck are you following me?”
