Page 19 of Forever Touched

“I’ll need to wire transfer the money over,” I said and pulled out my phone. Using an untraceable offshore account, of course. I wasn’t going to let a little money exchange expose my identity. Unfazed, the bouncer just nodded. Within minutes, the transfer was complete.

Pocketing my phone, I gave them each a grand in cash, as promised.

Moments later, Ben and the other male Star had given a keycard to emerged from the elevator, escorted by another pair of bouncers.

“I demand an explanation,” Ben snarled at them, his voice filled with fury. “She choseme.”

“I already told you,” one of the bouncers replied, stopping him from reentering the elevator. “She’s not feeling well tonight. Come back tomorrow.”

Ben stormed past with a growl, and I averted my gaze. He was too angry to even notice me, though. The other male left more slowly, looking like a kicked puppy. I wanted to sneer at how pathetic they were both acting, but if I’d been turned away last night, I probably would have responded the same.

As the bouncers gestured for me to enter the elevator, reason finally punched me in the gut. What was I doing? I couldn’t return to the lioness’s den. This wasinsane.

Lowering my voice, I said to them, “On second thought, I want her to remain alone tonight. No one is to disturb her.”

But, as I turned to leave, a bouncer replied, “It doesn’t work like that. She’s here to serve clients. If you don’t go up, someone else will.”

Bristling, I bit back a frustrated retort and simply nodded. “Fine.”

I entered the elevator and punched the button for the third floor,already knowing that this night would be pure hell. If I didn’t end up falling under her seductive spell again, I was going to strangle her for putting me in this terrible position.

Maybe she would have been safer with Benjamin after all.

6

ADALYN

I’d barely settled against the satin pillows when I heard a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I called, situating my robe so that only teasing hints of flesh were visible. It was my routine with new clients. They focused so hard on catching glimpses of my naked body that they gave me all the control—at least long enough for me to make the first move. I couldn’t always predict what happened after that, but the sooner I got them to feed on me, the better.

Twonew clients tonight. Mistress was definitely going to be pleased.

I’d been disappointed that the green-eyed vampire had kept his distance while I danced, but I’d done everything I could to lure him in. Instead of focusing on him, I’d ignored him completely, setting my sights on other males. Guess he wasn’t the jealous type after all. I thought for sure he would be.

Oh well. He’d watched me the entire time, which had to mean something. Maybe he wasn’t a complete lost cause yet. I’d have to beg Mistress to let me have another chance at him.

Something told me that he would make an invaluable client, even more than Viscount Le Blanc. My mouth puckered in disgust when I recalled the oral job I’d given him last night. He’d left happy as a clam, promising to return soon, but I’d spent the next fifteen minutes gargling mouthwash.

As I heard the door of my suite open, I adjusted my mask and replaced the disgusted look with a small smirk.

You’re Star, not Adalyn, I reminded myself while I listened to the approaching footsteps.They can’t touch you. Not the real you.

The footsteps stopped at the open bedroom door, and I lifted my gaze to greet the new client. When I saw who it was, the words died on my tongue.

Recovering swiftly, I masked my shock and purred, “Well, well, well. Look who the cat dragged in. I knew you couldn’t stay away.”

I lifted a hand to touch my collarbone, gratified when his gaze followed the movement. Slipping my fingers beneath the edge of my robe, I shifted the material to reveal more of my breasts. Heat flared in his pale green eyes.

Smirking wider, I crooned, “Come in. We can pick up where we left off. You never got to finish last night, poor thing.”

His nostrils flared as I slowly dropped my gaze to his pants where a noticeable bulge already strained against the dark material. I straightened from my relaxed position, allowing my robe to flutter open. His eyes hungrily devoured my flesh, just like I wanted them to. Rising onto my knees, I exposed the rest of myself to him, pleased when he greedily took in every inch.

You’re mine now, I thought to myself, giddy that I’d managed to right the wrongs from last night. I wouldn’t fail again. All I had to do was seduce him into drinking my blood. One glance at the starved look on his face, and I knew I could do it.

As I crawled to him on my knees, I decided to go all out and give him the full show. With a little shrug, the robe slipped from my shoulders and fell to the mattress, leaving me completely nude before him. I heard the air rush from his lungs. Brushing my hair back so there was nothing obstructing his view, I watched as his eyes beganto darken. Within seconds, they were a deep red, the color of blood.

He was losing control. Good. This would be easier than I thought.

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