Page 30 of Fire Dragon
Arriving, the Wicked Fang looked like something out of a Hollywood B movie with flashing lights and everything. As she paid her fare then stepped from the cab, she noted the tall lean vampires lined up ready and waiting.
She was grateful for her height and that she worked out. If she had to fight any of them off, she could do it.
But the men barely moved. Instead she felt their eyes on her, checking her out, nothing too out of the ordinary. Then something more; she heard a soft hissing sound. As she moved toward the door, she glanced at the nearest vampire, who still didn’t move toward her or say anything.
Turned out he wasn’t hissing but sniffing the air.
He finally spoke, his voice low, seductive. “Your blood smells really fine. Floral, I think. Lilacs, maybe. Let me know if you want the full experience. I’m here for you.”
Every word was spoken in a soft drawl. She felt inclined toward this very pale man who still made no move toward her.
The door opened abruptly, and a muscled male moved onto the sidewalk. He raised a hand in the direction of the vampires. “Get out of here, street trash. Next time I see any of your asses, you’re dead.”
Now the vampires hissed for real.
But the bouncer stomped his foot and all three headed into the air.
“Sorry, Ma’am. I took a nature break and those damn vultures seem to know the moment I leave. Are you here for the Wicked Fang?”
“Yes. My dragon friend, Logan, told me to come here. I’m looking for Ethan.” Ethan the vampire. She liked the sound of his name.
The bouncer grinned. “He’s here. Are you Emma?”
“That’s me.”
“Damn, but aren’t you a beauty. Ethan’s going to piss himself when he sees you.”
She was with warrior types every day, so she only laughed then said, “Well, I hope not.”
The bouncer chuckled and held the door wide. “You’ll do.”
She heard the music again, lots of acoustic guitars and an almost Spanish feel to the music. Or maybe Arabian or Persian. She didn’t understand the words either. But she loved the feel of it and began to move with the rhythm as she walked.
The club was very small, the music live, and round, intimate tables were scattered everywhere. A small dance floor had couples moving in close proximity. Across the room, she saw a tall, muscular vampire with broad shoulders, leaning against the bar. He had whisky in his hand, and what she was sure was an old-fashioned in a short tumbler next to his elbow.
Clearly Logan had told him all about her.
Her heartrate rose. This was going to happen. She could feel it. She might need a few drinks to gather exactly the right level of courage, but she knew this was an important step for her.
She could finally get past Liam.
The bouncer guided her the entire distance.
Soft whistles followed coupled with the familiar soft sniffing-hissing sound. A few groans as well. Guess she smelled delectable. Maybe it was lilacs. Now that she thought about it, the one night she and Liam had been together, he’d said the same thing. She couldn’t help but smile.
No matter what else, the whole experience was helping her to feel special, very different from those times when Liam had turned his back on her and left room after room.
She hadn’t realized until this moment just how much his behavior had wounded and even maddened her. She felt stupid to have carried the torch for so many months.
When the bouncer turned her over to Ethan and she extended her hand to him, he took it. In a totally cheesy but awesome way he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingers.
She felt herself melt. Maybe it was because Logan had set it up, but a sense of ease and all kinds of good feelings began to settle within her, like bathing in warm water.
Or maybe she was being charmed.
Or even seduced.
Somehow, she didn’t care. Bring it on.
