Page 8 of Tempt the Dragon
He huffed, dropping his hand but stepping closer. “Running isn’t going to work this time. There’s too much at stake.”
As if what she’d stood to lose eighty years ago hadn’tbeen too much. Squaring her shoulders, Mel refused to go there with him again. “Yeah, there’s a million dollars at stake, which is why I’m getting out of here and back to the city so I can make up for the lost time you’ve caused.”
“This is bigger than money, Mel. And it’s better if you just accept Theo’s terms now than causing an unnecessary fight.”
“I didn’t come here to fight with you,Aiken.” She hadn’t even known he was here in Burgess. Not until he’d walked into that house. It’d felt like a light had flicked on inside her and she’d known he was near, even before he’d found her hiding along the wall. Damn her infuriating Drakon blood.
“No.” He shook his head. “You never wanted to fight with me.”
“I wasn’t alone.” The retort came before she could think about holdingit in. Neither of them had fought on that long ago night. They’d accepted and moved on because there’d been no other option.
He wasn’t going to comment on that. She could tell by the way his shoulders relaxed suddenly. Aiken rarely argued and he didn’t give a lot of time or attention to discussions that he considered finished. They were definitely finished. She’d seen to that.
“If we don’tget to Duncan he’ll help the Royal Blood raise an ancient vampire army. In the meantime, they’re increasing their numbers aboveground by taking humans to change into vampires, killing the ones not worthy of the bite. With the numbers they’ll soon have and the type of power the ancient vampire army will bring, they’ll attempt to rule not just the Human Realm, but all the realms. You want thaton your conscience?”
He looked so damn good. But hadn’t that always been the case? A fawn-colored complexion was highlighted by his otherwise darker features—russet brown eyes when in human form, close-cut wavy black hair, and goatee. His tall, lean frame was deceptively strong and beneath those dark blue jeans, black turtleneck and leather jacket she knew every muscle and every scar intimately.Warmth similar to what she’d felt when he’d walked into the townhouse sifted through her, and she gritted her teeth.
“Without payment I’ll be poor and homeless. You want that on your conscience?” It may have been an overexaggeration, but he didn’t need to know that. Aiken French didn’t need to know anything about her anymore.
“Let’s walk and talk,” he said after brief contemplation.
Aiken liked to think about his words. He always said the right thing, especially with women. She’d seen him in action on more than one occasion when they’d worked together as Collectors. The information his smooth talk and charming demeanor could solicit had been astounding to see. Until it became too uncomfortable to watch. Another downfall to being romantically involved with a coworker.
“As long as we walk toward the door, fine.” Problem was, she had no idea in which direction they should go to get to the door.
This place was a fortress and since it was the middle of the night, not many lights were on. Night vision helped, but hers had always come in a red haze, so things weren’t as clear as she suspected they were for other Drakon. They were in what seemed like a foyer, highceilings, paneled walls, rugs over what might be cement floors. He led the way and she made a point to take note of everything she saw and felt this time. It had been sorely lacking on her part to not pay attention when she’d first arrived—an escape option was always an integral part of the plan—but she’d still been reeling from being near Aiken again and trying to be totally chill about thatfact.
“Don’t worry about the money. I’ll make sure you get paid when this is over.”
She was so intent on his words she walked down the four stairs behind him. “I don’t want your money, Aiken.” He came from money. Had been raised with certain privileges on the Far Realm and had come to the Human Realm reeking with that sophisticated air. It had both attracted and annoyed her.
“All moneyis spendable,” he snapped and continued walking. “And if that’s truly all you care about, I’m just saying you’ll get it. But we stop this threat first.”
He was still walking, going in a direction she sensed was taking them deeper into this mountain. Instinct said she should stop, turn around, insist on getting out, but curiosity had her following him without pushback. When he stopped at adoor and used his thumb to disengage the lock, she watched him walk inside, but didn’t move.
“You’ve been in a room with me before, Mel.”
“We’re nothing like we were before, Aiken.” What they’d been before was combustible, to put it simply. Once upon a time their passion had been intense, their need to be connected physically almost surpassing their commitment to their jobs. She’d be lyingto herself if she said she hadn’t felt that stirring again the moment he stepped into that townhouse.
He stood inside the room. “What’s the matter? You scared of being alone with me now?”
“You wish,” she snapped and took the few steps that had her pushing past him. “And don’t try to bait me. I’m going to give you ten minutes to make your case, only because I know this deep-seated needyou have to save the world. But if I’m not convinced when you’re done, I’m outta here.”
She dropped her bag to the floor at the same time that Aiken closed the door and she heard the locks reengage. That’s when everything changed.
The second she turned around to see him standing with his back to the door, the way his gaze had shifted from barely restrained irritation that she’d seen momentsago when they were in the hallway, to a kindred longing she felt deep in her soul, she knew.
“I never thought I’d be this close to you again.” He took a tentative step toward her, his words sounding as conflicted as she’d felt since leaving the townhouse.
“I’m here because of business,” she said and tried to shrug away the tendrils of desire easing slowly through her body. “We both havea job to do.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“And the sooner we get on with that, um, business, the sooner we can get on with our lives.” She paused and swallowed because he’d lifted a hand, rubbing it along his chin, before letting it fall slowly to graze over the thick erection now visible through his jeans. “Just business and then I’m gone.” The last words came on a whisper.
“You’renot leaving tonight and that has nothing to do with how much money you need, or undead vampires being pulled out of the ground.”
His words may have been refutable if he hadn’t quickly closed the space between them and pulled her to him in one swift motion.
Mel knew what was coming next. “Don’t do this, Aiken. It’s not smart.”
“Stop me.” He waited a beat for her to do just that, andwhen she didn’t, he pounced.
