Page 5 of Moonlit Alexandrite

“Still taken, Lex,” Neph chided gently. I grunted and pulled a face at the spoilsport. At least they had offered to support Crafty Seductions. My store was going to be the best.

I thanked Nephrite and the espresso machine for their offer and headed toward the seating area out on the balcony, when a knock to the shoulder almost sent me sprawling.

“Watch out,” a woman muttered, before disappearing as quickly as she had arrived behind a small group of patrons. “Rude,” Colbie said with a glare, taking me by the elbow and steering us to a table. “You okay?” I nodded and took another sip of my drink. “Awesome. Now, can we talk about your succubus last night?”

I groaned, knowing she wouldn’t let it go until I gave a satisfactory answer. I swear she must have been a lawyer in her past life... or a cop. As I tried to get my thoughts in order to explain something I didn’t understand myself, I was distracted by the sight of Peter Vasiliev, Colbie’s tyrant boss, storming past, looking like a rogue highlighter had attacked his hair.

“I like your hair, Mister Vasiliev,” Colbie called to his rigid back. His steps faltered for a moment before he stormed into the cafe.

“Don’t worry, it’s not pink. It’s salmon!” she yelled at the top of her voice. He slammed the door so hard the frame shook, and Colbie and I doubled over in laughter.

“I wonder who is responsible for that.”

Chapter Three

Ren

“She’s back again,” Tase said with a grin. He was once again dressed in those stupid leather pants and the flowy shirt that made half the town think he was a pirate. Dude just didn’t like clothes. I tugged on a handful of my braids in annoyance, as the awkward redhead stepped onto the curb and headed for the entrance to Flare, where we were acting as the gatekeepers.

“I don’t trust her,” I muttered.

“Seriously? Even after Newt made friends with her? I think she’s funny.”

“I think she’s trouble.” I squared my shoulders and crossed my arms, almost wishing I had shades to complete the ‘fuck off and don’t look at me’ vibe, I liked to wear. She strode confidently toward us, bold makeup and bold dress screaming she meant business tonight. If my gaze lingered on the bare lengths of her legs, it was to make sure she wouldn’t topple off the killer heels she was sporting. My phone buzzed in my pocket. Whoever it was could wait. I was not allowing distractions at a moment like this, I needed my wits about me. The redhead sidled toward me, but her eyes were all for Tase.

“Would you like to plunder my booty, sailor?”

Fuck.

Her gaze devoured my friend, while I resolutely tried not to watch those scarlet lips form such dirty innuendos. Tried and failed. Tase barked a delighted laugh, his smile turning wickedly lascivious.

“Anytime, sweetness.”

And that was how I knew Tase was playing. He never mixed business with pleasure, but would call the ones he toyed with ‘sweetness’. Easier than remembering their names. Between Tase, Dion, and I; we were kind of like that ‘fuck, marry, kill’ game. Dion would fuck them, Tase would tease them, and I kept as far from women as humanly possible. I did not need the drama, and Newt and I were just fine on our own, thank you very much.

“Do you want to take me out the back, then take me from the back?”

It took me a moment to realize she had switched her attention to me.

“Take...” I frowned hard. At the suggestion, all I could think about was my horde... I mean... Castor’s horde, that I was allowed to manage. Fire salamanders may look small, but we took our treasure as seriously as any dragon.

“She wants my gold,” I hissed at Tase as she stroked her palms over my biceps and down to my stomach.

He smothered a laugh, watching as she continued to fondle lower. “Unless gold is code for dick, I think your treasure is safe.”

“Ooh yes, give me that gold. Show me alll your gold,” Red purred in delight.

I sighed in frustration as she undulated her body against mine. Okay, fine, it may partially have been sexual frustration. She was a bit odd, but sinfully gorgeous, and my salamander might have sat up to take notice any time she was around.

My salamander alter ego, not just my... salamander. Well... that too.

Realizing that I had become stuck in my thoughts, and I still had an attractive woman basically rubbing all over me in public, while my friend and workmate watched on, I got with the program. “Okay, fine, she is talking about my dick. There are plenty of able and willing victims inside, Red. Let us work.” I adjusted my little salamander surreptitiously and pretended not to notice the crushed look on her face as she moved inside.

“Ouch. You could have been easier on her,” Tase said. I grunted and radioed for one of the guys to take over the door so I could watch the floor. The girl’s alter ego was clearly in charge, and I wanted to make sure she was safe. Yup, that’s the only reason I wanted to stay close to her.

* * *

“You’re interested in her.”

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