Page 6 of Another One Bites the Lust
“You got my note in the suite,” I said, trying to half-ass a reason for us meeting up here while I strode over to the shifter.
He stared at me with wide eyes. Silent. Just like last night in the Celestial Lounge. If I hadn’t heard him sing earlier tonight, I wouldn’t have believed he could speak.
I rose up on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning in close. He smelled good—so good that I had to fight the urge to bury my face against his throat and inhale more deeply.
I whispered into his ear, “Just go with it. Please.”
CHAPTER 5
VAN
What in the world was going on?
A minute ago, I’d felt defeated—thinking this gorgeous vampire was with another man. But now? She’d wrapped her arms around me and asked me to help her. Everything in me screamed to go for it. Protect her.
Claim her.
What the hell was going on?
My jaguar clawed at my insides, snarling with certainty.She’s the one. We found our mate.He declared it over and over, prancing around like a kitten in an inflatable bounce house.
Calm down and stop bouncing around like an idiot,I chastised him, desperate for a shard of self-control.
My insides were going haywire, responding to this heightened awareness. The vampire’s delectable scent infused my senses with insatiable, possessive urges. Was this all part of Maribelle’s twisted prank?
It’s real, my jaguar insisted. He snorted.And you think I’m the idiot.
I still hadn’t responded to this woman with the French accent. Other than instinctively wrapping my arms around her in response to her unexpected embrace. This vampire—whose name I didn’t even know—who’d pressed her soft curves against me.
A purr rumbled out of my chest. It was impossible to deny how right it felt to hold this strange woman.
“Please,” she whispered, barely audible.
Stop standing like a dumbass. Say something. Anything. I swallowed, praying I wouldn’t croak like a frog or channel Dr. Seuss’s rhymes when I opened my mouth.
“Sweetheart, there you are. I missed you.” The lie rolled off my tongue as smooth as velvet.
“Oh, I was just out exploring the ship. Seeing what there is to do. I’m tired, though. Let’s head back to our suite, love.” She pulled her body away and slipped her hand into mine.
Love? Suite? Damn. Where was this going?
But hell if I wasn’t going to run along it, if not downright gallop wherever she wanted to lead.
“Of course, darling.” I’d have to use pet names since I didn’t know her actual name. “Let’s go.”
She flashed a brilliant smile that shone brighter than the moon. My insides turned warm and fuzzy. She turned over her shoulder and I followed her gaze to see a man glaring at us, jaw clenched. Even at this distance, I sensed he was a vampire—but not like the one in my arms.
How odd. I’d grown up with a wariness of other supernaturals, especially vampires. Their undead bodies. Their unnatural need for blood. Yet once I’d started working on this ship, I’d gotten used to other types of supernaturals, including vampires, especially since joining a band with one.
“Bonne nuit, Lucien. Enjoy your cruise.” She paused and chewed her bottom lip, drawing my attention to her red lips. “Actually, you might want to get off at the next stop. It’ll make this a more enjoyable voyage for all of us.”
We marched past the dragon pool, and once out of earshot, she leaned close and whispered, “I’ll explain everything in a minute. Can you come with me to my suite?”
“Of course,” I said, following without hesitation. I’d follow her to the ends of the ship—and then beyond.
Wait, where did that come from?
The vampire woman led us toward the luxury suites. I’d never been in this exclusive area before and couldn’t imagine how expensive a night up here would cost, let alone an entire sailing. She swiped a key card, and we entered.
