Page 62 of Bite Marks

Elsie’s set, the parts I was able to glimpse between shaking martinis and pouring champagne, was even better than in rehearsal. I was taking credit for the way her eyes sparkled, freshly fucked, as she shed layer after layer of decadently embroidered lingerie behind a pair of dusty pink ostrich feather fans.

Ren and I brushed against each other casually, light touches that could’ve been accidental except for the way that they so very clearlyweren’t. Not when Ren usually took the utmost care to give me space, especially behind the bar.

I cast her a sidelong glance as I poured a measure of vodka over ice, using the beverage gun to fill it the rest of the way with tonic. Her eyes strayed to me just as I thought to look away, our gazes catching for a few long moments.

Come on, Vi! Focus!

Busiest night of the week!

Smoking hot vampire with a damned septum piercing and tattoos you are dying to know if they travel all the way down to?—

“Striker,”Dana called, sliding onto the only free stool at the bar and leaning over the glossy surface with a suggestive smile. “Turns out you have brains and beauty in equal measure. This is the best night we’ve had in months.”

If she was thinking about what she’d seen in her office—and I had to assume she was—she was very good at keeping her eyes politely on mine.

I tucked a lime wedge into the rim of a glass and slid it to the charming vampire a few seats down the bar. The vamp pulled out his wallet, sifted through it, and handed me an overly generous tip for the single drink I’d served him. His sandy blond hair was long, curling at the ends and around his ears. Itgavehim a distinctly beachy sort of vibe, especially when paired with hisdeliciousAustralian accent.

“Thanks, babe.” He slapped the stack of bills on the table, looking me up and down before pushing off the stool he’d draped himself over. His smile was languid, easy like a Sunday morning, as he met my eyes with a burning gaze. “You available tonight?”

I shook my head with a soft laugh, but Dana was the one who answered.

“Sorry, buddy. She has a date tonight.”

“That so?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. “I didn’t think your coven was too keen on growing, Dana.”

She shrugged. “Doesn’t change the fact that she’s otherwise engaged, Jasper.”

“Can’t blame a man for trying,” he said with a shrug of his own, collecting his drink and heading off into the crowd.

“And what if I wanted to take him up on the offer?” I asked Dana, leaning against the bar, knowing the move gave her a straight shot down the front of my dress.

“Did you?” she asked, that careful politeness cracking only a little as her eyes strayed momentarily before immediately snapping back to mine.

I decided it was in my best interest not to tell her that if I was going home with a vampire tonight, it certainly wasn’t going to bea man. Even if I wasn’t entirely sure which vampire I wanted more.

Big choices were never really my thing.

So don’t choose,a little voice in my head nudged helpfully.It doesn’t seem like they want you to.

My eyes moved to Ren of their own accord, and Dana chuckled.

“Thought not.”

“Oh, fuck right off,” I hissed, tucking my overly generous tip into my bra and tossing the rest of the money in the register. I glanced at the open tickets before pulling out some glassware to start the drinks that needed to go to the VIP. Juniperhatedhaving to wait for us, so it was easier to have them done early.

Dana reached across the bar, her fingers trailing my wrist gently. “If you need me, I’ll be in my office.”

“Which one?” I asked coyly.

Her eyes burned as she pulled away. This time, she didn’t stop herself as her eyes caught on my curves. “I don’t like being teased, darling.”

“Unfortunate,” I whispered as my heart picked up. “I don’t plan on stopping.”

Dana’s lips parted, but she hesitated, looking into my eyes for a few long beats. “If you want to find me, I suppose you’ll find out.”

“Yeah, guess I will,” I replied, but our flirting was interrupted as another vampire called down the bar asking for a beer.

I’d only looked away a second, holding up my hand in a clear order to wait, but by the time I turned back, Dana had already retreated into the back.

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