Page 33 of Seduction in Blood
"Stop it, Margo. I won't ask again." Devon's tone turned hard as ice, and after a moment, Margo shrugged.
"Can't blame a girl for trying." Before she turned away, she gave Devon another wicked grin. "Do keep me apprised when you're ready to turn her out. I'll pay extra if I can be her maker." She slid a hand down his cheek, rubbing her thumb over his lips. She winked at me before melting into the crowd.
I wasn't sure what had happened, but I was sorry to see her go. Devon pushed me through the crowd and down a busy hall, opening doors as he went. When he found what he was searching for, he shoved me inside. It was a closet. Spacious, but still a closet.
He found a light switch, and I glanced around, feeling a bit shell-shocked.
"Look at me," he barked.
I lifted my head, not sure why he seemed so angry. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No. I did." He lifted my chin higher, peering into my eyes. "Give it a minute, and your head will clear."
I wasn't sure why we were in a closet. Or what he was talking about. I felt fine.
After a moment, he pushed me to the wall before taking several paces back. "I should have expected it, but most wouldn't be so bold."
"What are you talking about?" My head did feel a bit fuzzy.
"I'd meant to teach you how to block during our first training session." He sighed. "I'd been too distracted." He leaned against the door, arms folded across his chest. "Vampires can mesmerize humans. You've heard that, right?"
Is that what had happened? "I've heard all kinds of things about vamps, but most of it has turned out to be wrong."
"Not this."
"When did she do it?"
"Staring into your eyes while she touched your arm."
"She was so irritating when she first came over, but then I didn't want her to leave." I wrapped my arms around my waist. "I don't think I can do this."
"You can. One of the rules for a Blood Ward is no touching unless I give approval. Margo knows better. But I should have anticipated that with this type of party, someone might take advantage. We need to stick together all evening. Okay?"
"Staring into my eyes while touching. Got it." My dream of the two of us in the garden came rushing back. Is that what Devon had been doing in my dream? His stare had been just as intoxicating when he'd kissed me.
"Cressa."
"What?" I glanced up. "Sorry. Trying to get my game face back."
He smiled. "You can do this. Just stay close." When I nodded, he opened the door, checked the hallway, and grabbed my hand to lead us through more rooms.
We didn't talk much, but that didn't stop him from talking it up with everybody else. And they all commented on how long it had been since seeing him. Did everyone know everyone in the vampire world, or was there something special about Devon? People seemed to go out of their way to greet him. And he nodded politely, speaking more with some than with others, which I assumed meant he knew them better, or they were more worthy of his attention.
He shared introductions, and most had the same expression as Margo when they learned I was his Blood Ward. Either Devon hung in different crowds, or this guy didn't get out much. After the first few hellos, I noticed Devon's charm with some and his cool indifference to others, finally understanding that he knew the game and played it well. That little itch I got when I sniffed something interesting flared. It was obvious he wasn't just a notorious vamp with a raging temper who made deals with shifters. I hadn't asked Anna the right questions and suddenly couldn't wait for my next session with her.
After an hour, I must have been waning because Devon shifted his attention to me, signaling to the others he was done with the intros. I was grateful when he steered us to a table and lifted a hand to a waiter who dropped two glasses of champagne and a plate of appetizers on the table. Devon studied me, probably judging how long before I keeled over. I blamed the heels.
* * *
Devon tookthe opportunity to slide his hand to Cressa's ass as he directed her to a chair. He'd noticed her shoes bothering her but hadn't said anything. She'd refuse to sit if he mentioned anything that made her appear weak in this crowd. And while he'd kept a hand somewhere on her delectable body all evening, he knew it annoyed her. Yet, she played her role, changing from demure lover to ice princess, taking her cues from his own behavior as they made the rounds. Her ability to adapt fascinated him.
He slid her a side glance as she popped an appetizer in her mouth, her eyes closing with delight. She'd surprised him several times when she made possessive gestures—her hand closing around his arm, his waist. She'd even given his ass a squeeze every time Margo came into view. The garden dream was never far from his thoughts each time she touched him, and it reinforced his decision to discover what she was.
"You seem to be doing well." He turned his body toward hers and lowered his head, making the discussion appear intimate.
She nodded as she nibbled a cheese ball. "I remember most of the players you said were important, but I think I'm going to get Raul and Gruber mixed up. Gruber owns this house, right?"
"Yes. If you think this house is outlandish, you should see Raul's. He's the more flamboyant of the two. They're cousins, which explains most of the similarities. I got the impression Raul was irritated that Gruber matched his hair color. They must be feuding again."
