Page 4 of The Vampire’s Prey

Tiberius laughed again. “And what makes you think anyone is going to meet these standards?”

“Standards? These aren’t all that high. What is so wrong with wanting to find an intellectual equal?

Tiberius’ lips turn down in a frown as he studies me. “Your intellectual equal? One, no mortal could ever be your equal. Unless you happened to find one who is centuries old. But, I can guarantee she won’t have a body like that blonde.” He pauses to glance around the room. “Two, you’re in a bar. It’s more of a party bar than a conversation bar. Pretty sure the people here just want to have fun. Which is more than I can say for you.”

I stare him down, a smirk forming on my lips. “I’ve dined on bake-onna.” I note his blank stare. "Similar to your sweetbloods, but more of a cultured courtesan. They stimulate me in ways you cannot possibly understand. Blame them for my high standards.”

“Oh. ‘Bake-onna.’ Be still my beating heart.”

“You laugh. But trust me, once you’ve had one, no one else will compare. I don’t see why I have to lower myself, even the standards of my dinner. That is so unbecoming.”

I slap Tiberius on the shoulder and turn to make my way into the coat check when a scent catches me. Turning, I lock my sights on the most mesmerizing cobalt eyes. My dick surges up, taking me completely by surprise. What type of morsel is this? Her hair is pulled back into a tight French braid, with the tail whipping tantalizingly back and forth. Normally braids like this come with uptight women. But that tail sliding down to meet her curvaceous ass lures me like a feather tempting a cat. Maybe this one’s different. If not, I have just the tools to thaw her out. I pulse as visions of wrapping that hair in my fist and tilting her head back swim before my eyes. If her clothes were any tighter, they would pop off of her. And what a decadent vision that would be.

“You’re staring.”

“And you’re an ass, Tiberius.”

Just as I start to make my way over to her, she turns and rushes to the bar. Well, if she wants to run, I have no problem giving chase.

* * *

Evangeline

What just happened? I clutch the bar, the mahogany feeling cool to my feverish hands. The rounded edges though smooth grind into my palms, grounding me for just a moment. Breathing deep, I try to slow my heart rate. If there are actual vampires here, I don’t need to advertise myself as prey. That’s the absolute last thing I need.

I glance over my shoulder to see Mr. Yummy making his way through the crowd to me. Fuck. Maybe he’s going after someone else? I turn again. His brows furrow as he stares me down. A determined look is on his face as he continues in my direction. Double fuck. What am I supposed to do? Wait.

“Green?”

“Whatcha got?”

A beautiful woman with green hair lifts her face up from the drink she’s working on and smiles over at me. Her warm expression is like a balm to my frazzled nerves. Looking back again at her hair, I smile. Everything is starting to make much more sense now. “I’m here to start a shift. Theocropolis said to find you.”

Her laughter peals out. “Theocropolis? You better not let him hear you call him that. I’ll remember that one though. That’s a good one.” She shakes her head as she finishes mixing up the cocktail. “Well, come on back here, I’ll get you set up. I’m only helping out as needed, so you’ll be on your own most nights.”

Green passes off the drink with a large grin. The guy at the bar leers back, but she doesn’t seem to acknowledge it. Instead, she looks behind me then at my face then behind me again.

“I don’t know, though,” Green smiles and points just over my shoulder. “I think you already have your first customer. Should I drop you off into the deep end or help you out?”

I don’t even look behind me. It’s got to be Mr. Yummy. No one else in this bar has so much as glanced at me. Plastering as realistic a smile as I can, I shake my head and start to make my way towards the opening in the bar.

“Him? He’s not here for me. I don’t even know—” I stiffen as his presence slides over my body. Goosebumps explode over my skin as his cool breath teases the side of my neck. Biting my tongue, I stifle a groan. My body shouldn’t be acting like this. What the actual hell?

Green gives me a knowing smile before wiping down a glass.

“Got a name, gorgeous?”

Dear God. Even his voice sounds like sin. Deep, rough, and pure decadence. It takes every ounce of control not to turn around just to look at him again. I can’t get swept up like this. This is only my first night here. How the hell am I going to survive weeks or months if I fall for the first guy I see?

Taking a deep breath, I firm up my resolve before turning around. I look him up and down, trying to assess without letting my loins take the lead. Tousled blonde hair that probably takes hours to do. Expensive suit that’s either a knock off or just wasteful. Shoes that only an arrogant asshole would wear. And of course, to top it all off, an expensive looking watch. Probably a Rolex. I don’t entertain men who think this much about themselves. Ever. Usually men like this have too much money and not enough brains or talent.

But his eyes. His eyes remind me of the cloudless skies back home. In a flash of movement, his fingers rise up to brush against his lips. Unwittingly, my eyes follow the journey, bringing a stark awareness to his full lips. Dear God, those lips look inviting. I want to slide my lips over his, to feel if they are soft as they look.

“You’re staring.”

Green’s voice brings me out of my lustful day dream with a jolt. Immediately, I separate myself again. Instantly, he frowns. It’s as if he realizes that I’m actively resisting him. No matter. This cannot, will not happen. Too bad my lady bits have other ideas. Everything in me is dancing around screaming “pick me, pick me!” I press my knees together, shame flooding through my body. What is wrong with you? Just because he’s hot doesn’t mean you have a say. Oh god. What would Father say? My cheeks bloom with heat as I imagine the mortification that my lusts can cause.

As soon as that thought passes, a scarier one creeps in. Vampires can smell arousal. I’m making myself a beacon. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. I watch the man before me gently scent the air before a slow smile eases onto his face. Oh. My. God. Not only is he one of them, he just figured out that he’s turning me on. I close my eyes and shoot a message downstairs. Abort mission! This is not the man you’re looking for. Dear God, stop getting so turned on.