Page 7 of Bootleg Love

I circle her slowly, a wolf eyeing a lamb. "The things I could show you, ma belle. The places I could take you." I lean in, my lips grazing the delicate shell of her ear as I drop my voice to a sinful whisper. "The heights of ecstasy we could reach together."

She trembles against me, a heady mix of virginal terror and wanton hunger. I smile slowly. This will be a seduction like no other, a dance as old as time itself. And in the end, she will be mine - body, blood and bone.

“My Bayou princess.”

"Flattery will get you nowhere, sigh. I'm not one of your cabaret girls to be sweet-talked and pawed. And in case you haven’t noticed, I am quite covered in mud, now aren’t I? Is that how you so called gentlemen treat a lady in distress in this wicked town?"

I chuckle, my eyes sparkling with amusement as I slowly release her hand. "Ah, ma douce, you wound me!” I circle her slowly, my gaze raking over her form appreciatively. "But can you blame me for being tempted by such a delectable morsel?"

Her breath hitches at my bold declaration, a becoming flush rising to her cheeks.

"You are incorrigible!" She aims for scolding but can't quite banish the smile tugging at her lips.

"Guilty as charged," I grin roguishly, rising to my feet. "Come let’s get you cleaned up.”

5

SIMONE

Iquirk an eyebrow as I take in the lavish surroundings of the bathroom Auguste has led me to. "My my, aren't we fancy?" I drawl, running a finger along the edge of the obsidian clawfoot tub. "Looks fit for a queen. Or at least a very well pampered mistress."

Auguste chuckles, his eyes glinting with amusement and a hint of something more heated. "Nothing but the best for our special guests, chérie. And I have a feeling you're going to be very special indeed."

I take a slow sip of my cocktail, letting the smooth burn linger on my tongue before cocking my head coquettishly. "Oh? And what exactly makes me so...special, Monsieur?"

"Call it a hunch," he murmurs, stepping closer until I can feel the warmth radiating off his broad chest. "And that blood… intoxicating."

I scoff lightly, even as a traitorous shiver races down my spine at his proximity. "A rare gem, hmmm? Is that fancy talk for a bedraggled swamp rat? isn't that what you called me?" I gesture wryly at my torn, muddy garb.

"Ah, but you see, that's just a temporary disguise." Auguste's voice lowers to a rumbling purr. "Underneath the dirt and rags, you're a diamond in the rough. And I intend to see you polished to perfection."

I can't suppress the frisson of awareness that crackles between us and take a hasty gulp of my drink for fortitude before aiming for an arch tone. "Careful, Auguste. A girl might start to think you're trying to collect her." I run my fingers over an ornate Tiffany lamp on a side table. "Just another objets d'art."

He catches my hand, turning it over to trace the delicate blue veins of my wrist with the pad of his thumb. "You're worth more than any dusty antique, my sweet southern belle." His dark eyes burn into mine, threatening to liquify my bones. "And I only collect the very best."

My pulse flutters wildly as I force myself to step back, slipping my hand from his mesmerizing grasp. "Yes, well, your collection will have to wait," I declare airily, mustering up a saucy smirk. I sashay towards the tub, throwing a wink over my bare shoulder. "If you'd be so kind as to give a lady some privacy?"

Auguste sketches a courtly bow, a wicked smile playing about his sculpted mouth. "But of course, ma reine. I shall eagerly await your... emergence." His gaze is scorching. "But before I leave you, there's one more thing you should know."

He stalks closer, his movements fluid and predatory. I instinctively back up until I feel the cool edge of the pedestal sink pressing into my lower back. He braces his hands on either side of me, caging me in with his much larger frame.

Leaning down until his lips nearly brush the shell of my ear, he murmurs, "That blood of yours, ma petite? That 'hexeblood' thrumming through your veins? It's more than just rare." His voice drops to a low rasp. "It's dangerous. And in a city like New Orleans, danger is a highly sought-after commodity."

I feel a frisson of unease snake down my spine, even as some reckless part of me thrills to his nearness, to the blatant hunger in his gaze. "W-what do you mean?" I curse the slight tremor in my voice.

He pulls back just far enough to meet my eyes, his own glittering with dark promise. "I mean, my sweet Simone, that you are a very lucky little witch to have stumbled into my den first. There are...factions in this city that would bleed you dry, just to possess a drop of that intoxicating power in your blood."

I swallow hard, my heart rabbiting against my ribs. "And you? What do you want with me and my 'intoxicating power'?" I meant it to come out challenging, but it emerges as little more than a breathless whisper.

His mouth kicks up in a wolf's smile. "I want to protect you, ma chérie. I want to polish you to a blinding shine and unleash you on this unsuspecting world." His fingers find my chin, tipping it up so I have no choice but to drown in the fierce intensity of his gaze.

"The blood is strong in you, Simone. Stronger than any I've encountered in all my years.

And together?" His thumb drags slowly, deliberately over my lower lip and I shudder helplessly.

"Together we will bring this city to its knees."

He releases me abruptly and I sag back against the sink, my knees watery. He strides to the door, glancing back as he turns the handle.

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