Page 25 of The Vampire Kingpin
I’d seen his expression. He’d felt sorry for me. Hell, he’d looked guilty.
I cringed inwardly. Talk about an icy slap of reality.
What was wrong with me? Lark Nightstar didn’t do feelings. Feelings were messy. They bogged you down, trapping you more effectively than silver chains.
I’d forgotten myself, that’s all. It had been a long time, and I’d been horny.
Now, though, I wanted to grab my clothes and get the fuck out of Dodge. But even if Spider would’ve let me out of our agreement, I needed that money. It represented freedom, a fresh start.
No, I’d stay the whole month, even if it killed me.
“I should’ve held out for fifty.”
At least I’d dredged up a smart-ass comeback, saving myself from complete humiliation. Maybe he’d figure he’d read me wrong.
And yeah, his relief had been obvious. But that was good, right? It meant we were both on the same page.
Spider rose from the bed, disposing of the rubber before padding naked to his weapons cabinet. “You can keep your switchblade,” he said as he locked it back up, “but open this cabinet again and I’ll stake you myself.”
Stake me? Ohh-kay.
“Got it,” I said, sitting up.
Message received, loud and clear: Don’t make this something it’s not. You’re nothing to me.
I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. I’d enjoy the hell out of sex with Spider, then take his cash and book it out of here.
Yeah, it hurt. But bruises healed. The key was to protect yourself and avoid further damage.
And it’s not like my heart was bruised. He’d only poked my ego.
I swung my legs to the floor, suddenly desperate to scrub his scent off my skin, and grabbed the purple shirt. “Are we done here? Because I could use a shower.”
A hesitation. Then he said, “Sure.”
I felt his eyes on me as I sauntered naked to the bathroom. Glancing over my shoulder, I was pleased to see his brow furrowed. What, did he expect me to break down and cry like some human virgin?
I blew him a kiss and closed the door on his confused face.
When I remerged, wearing his shirt and my clean thong, the door to the Cavern was open. Spider had pulled on a pair of boxer briefs and was speaking in an undertone to a tall Amazon of a vampire with a thick black braid and a pair of lethal-looking daggers strapped over her short orange skirt.
“This is Velma,” he told me. “My lieutenant. If I’m not around, she’s in charge.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
She acknowledged that with a short nod and turned back to Spider. “I’ll look into it. For now, I’ll be out on patrol.”
“I’ll catch up to you later,” he told her.
As Velma left, Zayne popped into the doorway. “Hey, Spider. I have some things for Lark.” She indicated the stack of clothes in her arms.
“Thanks.” He glanced from her to me like he was wondering how I’d made a friend so fast. “I’ll give them to her.”
As he took them, I leaned around him to thank her myself. “You’re a sweetheart.”
“No problem,” she said with a warm smile and left.
Spider shut the door with his foot. When I tried to take the clothes, he held them out of my reach, feeling each piece of clothing—leggings, a couple of T-shirts, an exercise bra and a handful of panties and socks.
