Page 30 of The Vampire Kingpin
I strode off, Velma on my heels, leaving Grimclaw whimpering and muttering to himself.
We got back to the Cavern to find Lark bent over the pool table, her dark hair in a high, shiny ponytail, her round butt on display in black leggings. And Jacko and Monster weren’t the only dudes eyeing her like they’d enjoy a bite.
The meeting with Grimclaw had left me on edge, ready to fight—or fuck. Her tiny gray tee had ridden up, exposing a strip of smooth skin just above the leggings. My fangs pressed at my gums, my mind flooding with X-rated images of yanking down her leggings and hauling her back on my waiting erection. Laying claim to her in front of all the men eyeing her sexy backside.
She nailed her shot, sinking the eight ball. She rose back up, shooting me a Damn, I can’t believe I made that smile over her shoulder.
Like she wasn’t hustling my lair.
It made me swallow a chuckle even as I ached to take her. And the best part? I could.
I prowled across the lair. She kept her back turned to me, eyes on Monster as he racked the balls for the next game. But I could tell she was clocking me, tracking my every move. She struck a pose, hand on the wall, one hip cocked, like she was daring me to come after her, to demand her attention.
I slid up behind her, hands on her hips, and scraped my teeth down the side of her neck. A little shiver went over her, and beneath the form-fitting tee, her nipples hardened into points. I skated a hand up her abdomen, stopping just short of her breasts, and she stilled, then arched her back so her ass was pressed against my thighs, my dick nestled in the small of her back.
I spread my fingers over her stomach, keeping her up against me. “Lemme guess,” I said to Zayne, Jacko and Monster. “She’s hustling you all.”
Jacko released a crack of laughter. “She’s up eight hundred bucks on us.”
“What?” Lark leaned sideways so she could see my face and shot me a shameless grin. “I need the cash.”
Zayne rolled her eyes. “She played fair. It’s not her fault these dudes figured they could beat her just because she has tits.”
“Not true!” protested Jacko. “You beat me just last month, and you have tits.”
“And I fronted her the cash to get in the game,” Monster grumbled.
I dipped my head, closing my teeth over her earlobe. “Say goodnight, Lark. You’re done here.”
“Yes, sir.” She did a little swish-swish of her hips against my thighs. The top of her ass brushed over my erection and I bit back a groan. “Just let me get my money?—"
“Here.” Monster scooped up the stack of bills and handed it to her.
I released her, watching as she peeled off two fifties for him. “Thanks for staking me.”
“Anytime.” The usually poker-faced dhampir smiled back. “Where’d you learn to play like that, anyway?”
Lark tucked her winnings into her bra. “I was home-schooled. Had a lot of time.”
Which didn’t really answer the question. But if there was one rule in the Underworld, it was Don’t Ask Too Many Questions. We all had our secrets.
Monster slid the fifties into his billfold. “You’ll have to give me a few pointers.”
My new thrall quirked a brow. “But then I’d have to kill you.”
Monster blinked, then let out a belly laugh that had heads turning all over the Cavern. I was as surprised as everyone else. The silver-haired dhampir rarely even cracked a smile.
Lark grinned. “Just kidding. I can give you pointers.”
“Tomorrow,” I cut in, snagging Lark around the waist. “Later, y’all.”
I made a beeline for my bedroom, but of course, it wasn’t that easy. First one person, then another stopped me with questions that just couldn’t wait. I concealed my impatience because it was part of being an alpha, but I kept Lark snugged up against me and dealt with their problems in as few words as possible. Finally, we were in my room, the door shut behind us.
I spun Lark so her back was against the thick wood. “You’re so bad.”
“What?” she asked, all wide-eyed innocence. “You have a problem with me playing pool?”
I rested my forearms on either side of her head, caging her in. “Hustling my crew, you mean?”
