Page 3 of Discovery of the Vampire
I arched a brow at him. "Awfully presumptuous of you."
His smirk widened into a grin as he heard my accent, his green eyes traveling over my face and stopping on my mouth with even more interest than before. "I prefer the term 'confident'."
I snorted. "I bet you do."
Brogan leaned closer, his voice low and intimate. "I've seen you here every night this week. If I didn't know better, darlin', I'd think you were stalking me."
I met his gaze head on. "Maybe I just like the drinks.” I smiled at Elias. “And the handsome bartender who makes them for me.”
Brogan chuckled, a deep, rich sound that sent pleasant shivers down my spine. "Oh, I'm sure you do. Elias is very good at what he does."
"He's right." The topic of our discussion set a glass of whiskey down in front of Brogan and another Paloma on the bartop for me. "On the house," he told me with a wink.
I gave him what I hoped was an alluring smile. "Thank you."
Brogan's bright gaze was hot on the skin of my face. "So, what's your name, darlin?"
"Esme," I told him without hesitation. There was no need to withhold my name. I doubted anyone this far from my small town would’ve heard of me or my family.
Reaching across the small space between us, he took my hand in his much larger one and brought it to his mouth. But he didn't kiss the back as I'd expected. Instead, he turned it over and pressed a soft kiss to the pulse on the inside of my wrist, his lips lingering there as he said, "Nice to meet you…Esme." Then he smiled against my skin as my heart rate sped up from the sound of his deep voice saying my name.
I withdrew my hand from his and wrapped both hands around my drink, sipping it as I took a second to steady myself.
If he thought my actions rude, he didn't show it. "That's a pretty name. It suits you."
I was acutely aware of Brogan's proximity, the heat of his body, and the light scent of his cologne mixed with something darker. Something completely him. Those piercing green eyes watched me as he waited for me to reply, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his sensual mouth.
There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but I had to be careful. I didn't want to scare him away before I even knew if my intuition was right, or if he could help me. Deciding to start with something innocuous, I asked, "Do you perform every night?"
He shrugged one broad shoulder. "Most nights, yes. We're a little shorthanded these days, but I enjoy it."
"You don't get any time off?" I pressed, trying to sound casual.
Brogan's lips curved into a smirk. "Why are you askin’?”
"I'm just curious." I took another sip of my drink. "What made you get into this line of work?"
His pause was so brief I almost missed it. "I felt it was necessary at the time, and now it's what I do."
"Necessary for what?"
“Survival,” he said. "Isn't that why all of us do what we do?"
Startled, I searched his face, half expecting to see that knowing smirk, but his expression was open and curious as he waited for me to respond.
"I suppose it is.” I took a bigger sip of my drink this time, hoping the fall of my hair hid the heat creeping up my neck. "And do you ever get bored? Dancing the same routines night after night?" I placed my hand on his arm as I met his eyes. The muscle beneath his warm skin even harder than I imagined. "Howdida man like you end up dancing in a place like this?"
His gaze was shrewd, and I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced by my deflection. But after a long moment, he seemed to decide to let it go. For now.
"My story?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, darlin', that's a long and complicated tale. One that's best saved for another time, perhaps."
I leaned closer. "Aw, come on. Not even a little hint? I'm dying to know what makes you tick."
Brogan's smile turned predatory, and he leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Oh, I think you'll find that I'm full of surprises, Esme. And if you're not careful, you might just get more than you bargained for."
* * *
The next night, I waited for him outside the club, my bare legs freezing beneath my red dress in the chilly night air.
