Page 42 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

I lean my head back against his arm, scrub my hands over my face, and groan at the ceiling. I don’t feel like talking anymore, but he won’t let me get away with not explaining. “We went to see Giselle today and learned that the only way for me to tone down my natural siren’s song is by building a harem. Apparently, the more lovers I take, the less I’ll ensnare men.”

Silence stretches out between us. After that confession, I’m content to never look at Parker again, but the weight of his stare eventually pulls my gaze away from the ceiling. He’s watching me, as if he’s trying to decipher my thoughts.Good luck with that.Ican’t even make sense of my thoughts right now.

I can’t tell what he thinks about the idea. He’s closed off his face again. I swear I need to take the man to Vegas. He’d make a killing at the poker tables. “How do you feel about that?” he asks carefully.

How do I feel about it? Hell if I know. “Confused,” I say, though that’s not entirely right. Looking away, I admit the real truth. “Or maybe I’m confused that I’m not as opposed to the idea as I should be.”

I risk a glance at Parker, and he gives me a small nod, encouraging me to elaborate. I shrug. “I feel like a total hussy, but I want all of you. When Giselle explained it earlier, I don’t know, I guess it made sense. It felt right. Like on some physical level.”

Parker nods again, as if this is what he expected. I still can’t tell if he thinks it’s a good idea or a bad one. “It’s your nature,” he says simply.

“No way. A relationship like that isn’t natural.”

“Not to a human, perhaps.” He ducks his head to make sure I’m looking him in the eye as he says, “But you’re not human, Nora. No matter how you were raised. You can’t deny your basic instincts.”

I want to argue, but he cuts me off when I open my mouth to do just that. “Vampires are sensual creatures,” he says. I snap my mouth shut, my argument evaporating at the subject change. He rubs his hand lightly up and down my thigh, silently proving his point about the sensuality. “It’s very rare that a vampire takes a mate. We live in clans because we’re social, but aside from our sire bonds, we don’t normally form deep, emotional attachments. Sex is a casual thing for us. It’s just how we are. Wolves are the opposite. Their instinct is to find a mate and stay with them for life. It’s part of their physical makeup.”

When I frown, Parker grips my chin and brushes his thumb over my lips as if to lift them into a smile. “You are an entirely different species, Nora. Your instincts are a part of you. Just because they’re different from mine or Rook’s doesn’t make them wrong.”

“Maybe not,” I grumble. “But they sure complicate the hell out of things.”

Parker’s lips twitch, and laughter sparkles in his eyes. “True. But you don’t have to work out all the details right now. You’re practically a stranger to yourself, and you’ve been fighting against your base instincts your entire life. Take some time to explore your feelings. Get to know your nature.Thenwe can worry about which men we let into your harem.”

I blanch, and when my eyes snap open, Parker grins. I smack him in the arm for teasing me, and he chuckles. He leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Everything will work out. Don’t stress too much.”

I sigh. I’m not sure how much I agree with him, but I’m done thinking about it right now. I’ve got more important things to worry about. “You’re right. Let’s forget it. We need to go over to the FUA office anyway. We’ve got a killer to catch.”

I’m half tempted toturn back around when I walk into the FUA office and see Henry and two other vampires arguing with Director West in the reception area. I back up a step, but Parker is behind me and won’t let me leave. He puts his hand on the small of my back as if to reassure me that he’s there and that he’ll keep me safe. I don’t necessarily feel unsafe with Henry in the room; I just don’t want to have to deal with him. Not after the day I’ve had.

Henry’s back is to us, and he’s so worked up that he doesn’t notice us walk in. “Six of my employees aredead, Madison,” he gripes. “Six! In the last two weeks! Do you know how that makes me look?”

I scoff under my breath. Of course Henry’s only worried about his reputation. What a dick.

Unfortunately, vampires have crazy good hearing, and Henry whirls around. He looks like he’s going to rip me a new one, until he realizes it’s me. Then, in the span of a blink, he’s calm and collected. “Nora.”

He reaches out, and I flinch back. “Don’t touch me, Henry.”

His eyes flash red, but he keeps a lid on his anger and forces a smile. “How are you? I’ve missed you.” I roll my eyes. Henry ignores the rude gesture. “What are you doing here? I hope everything is all right.”

Before I can respond, Director West interrupts the conversation. “Henry, perhaps Nora can be of assistance to you.” I blink at her. There’s no way in hell I’m helping Henry with anything. Ever. She gives me a bright smile, oblivious to the tension rolling off me. “Gorgeous tells me you’re working with the fey to figure out who’s behind the killings. Henry’s trying to solve it, too. Perhaps you could work together?”

I grind my teeth. Not that I have anything against Director West, but I don’t need Henry all up in my business.

Henry’s eyes grow wide, and his smile turns almost predatory. “I would love—”

“No.” I slice my hand through the air. “Not only no, buthellno.”

Henry bristles. “Don’t be so petty, Nora. People are dying. Surely we can put our differences aside long enough to—”

“As if you care about the people dying,” I snap. “You only care about the fact that the murders are all connected to your casino. You’re worried about your reputation. You only want to help yourself.”

Henry’s eyes flash with rage, but he quickly collects himself. “That’s not true,” he says softly. “I’m worried about you as well.” His eyes track me again, roving over me from head to toe. “I see that the rumors of you being fey are true, which means you are in danger right now. I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt.”

He reaches for my hand again, but I quickly pull it away. I glare at him and step back against Parker’s shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve got plenty of people looking out for me.”

Henry narrows his eyes. “Yes. All of your men have been taking very good care of you. I heard.”

He’s failing to keep his jealousy under wraps. I’ll have to tell Terrance how much I love him again later. Figuring it’s better not to provoke the master vampire too horribly much, I ignore the jab and move the conversation along. “I won’t work with you—I don’t trust you—but if you have any information you’d like to share, you can tell me now. I’ll keep Director West informed of my investigation, and she can keep you updated.”

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